1. Howard County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team DVFRT
Amy e. hott, Chair DVFRT, Assistant State’s Attorney for Howard County

2. What is the DVFRT?
Mission : To attempt to reduce domestic violence, specifically domestic related fatalities and near fatalities in our County through multi-disciplinary review of our response to domestic violence in our community
Established November 2007
Multi-disciplinary model
Goal is systemic changes, as well as addressing training and procedural issues

3. What is the Authorization for DVFRT?
Family Law Article Title 4, Subsection 7
“Local Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams”
§ Authorizes establishment of team and organizing agencies
§ Sets out membership
§ Establishes the purpose and method of operation and scope of review
§ Authorizes mandatory access to records
§ Authorizes closed meetings when discussing cases
§ Authorizes confidentiality and protection from civil and criminal proceedings
CJ § Allows for protection from liability

4. Membership Who sits on our multi-disciplinary Team:
Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office
Howard County Police Department
Howard County Sheriff’s Office
Howard County Department of Health
Department of Social Services
HopeWorks
Mental Health Authority
Howard County General Hospital
Maryland State Police
Howard County Public Schools
Grassroots Organization
Division of Parole and Probation

5. What is the Methodology?
Step One:
Case Selection- Team members present possible cases for review and Team decides as a group
What is the criteria?
The case must involve a Domestic homicide, Domestic suicide or DV case involving a serious/near fatal injury
Case must be concluded in Court
2013 – Discussion was on a DV fatality where children were involved
2014 – Discussion was on a DV fatality of a homeless victim with mental health and substance abuse issues
2015 – Discussion was on a near-fatality case involving elder issues
Discussion has been on two cases involving death by suicide by two DV victims

6. Review Process Step Two:
Chair provides names of victim and perpetrator, as well as all identifying information to all of the Team members.
Step Three:
All Team members gather any and all information their agencies possess on both parties.
This information is provided to the Chair of DVFRT
Permitted to access confidential files
Can request information from agencies not on Team
Agreement with local hospitals for access to records

7. Review Process Step Four:
Timeline is constructed using the materials retrieved
Active discussion about process and members identify potential issues and points of intervention
Interviews of Family members possible
Presentation from mother of DV victim who died as a result of suicide

8. Prepare DVFRT Recommendations and Annual Report
What is the last step?
Prepare DVFRT Recommendations and Annual Report
Prepare Recommendations based on identified issues and points of intervention
Sent to the head of every participating agency, County Executive and County Council
Attempt implementation of Recommendations

9. Recommendations Accomplishments 2013 Recommendations -
Created a resource/contact letter that is sent by the Sheriff’s Office to the Petitioner in all DV cases near the conclusion of the Protective Order time period In an effort to increase contact with DV victims throughout the process.
Prepared a Resource Guide for New Caretakers to be used in situations where an adult is given custody of a child. Presently being used by HCPD and other agencies.
Instituted protocol for HCPSS to receive final Protective Orders when the school is listed as a restricted address.
2014 Recommendations -
Increased resources available for DV victims at Grassroots Day Resource Center
Provided training through HopeWorks and HCPD to Grassroots volunteers on DV related issues
2015 Recommendations -
Increased the availability of DV-related information specific to elder abuse at the Office of Aging 50+ expo and at the Office of the State’s Attorney

10. How do we move our Recommendations forward?
Moving forward
How do we move our Recommendations forward?
Support from County Executive
Support from County Council
Support from Agency heads