Article VII — CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCIL

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors finds as follows. (A) The legislature of the State of California enacted the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council Act in 1989 with the intent to fund child abuse prevention coordinating councils in each county. The legislature found and declared the following:

(1) Child abuse is one of the most tragic social and criminal justice issues of our times; (2) Victims of child abuse and their families face a complex intervention system involving many professionals and agencies; (3) Coordination by child protection agencies and personnel improves the response to a victim and his or her family; and (4) The prevention of child abuse requires the involvement of the entire community. (B) It is the intent of this article to facilitate the establishment and implementation of a child abuse prevention council to coordinate the community’s efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse in San Benito County. (C) It is the further intent of this article to establish the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Benito County to implement the goals and objectives outlined in the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council Act of 1989. The Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council Act provides for funding of the established Council from the county’s Children’s Trust Fund. (1966 Code, § 37-1) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section. ACT. The Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council Act of 1989. CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COUNCIL OF SAN BENITO COUNTY or COUNCIL. The Council established in accordance with Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code § 18983.4. TRUST FUND. The county’s Children’s Trust Fund. (1966 Code, § 37-2) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

There is established a council to be known as the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Benito County. (1966 Code, § 37-3) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

The Council shall encourage representatives from the following categories: (A) Public child welfare services, including the following: (1) The county’s Welfare or Children’s Services Department; (2) The Probation Department; and (3) Licensing agencies. (B) The criminal justice system, including the following: (1) Law enforcement; (2) The Office of the District Attorney; (3) The courts; and (4) The Coroner. (C) Prevention and treatment services communities, including the following: (1) Medical and mental health services; (2) Community-based social services; and (3) Public and private schools. (D) Community representatives, including the following: (1) Community volunteers; (2) Civic organizations; and (3) The religious community. (1966 Code, § 37-4) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

Council members shall be appointed by the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC). The term of office of each member shall be for three years until the appointment of his or her successor. (1966 Code, § 37-5) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

The initial terms of office of Council members (former Child Welfare Commission members) shall be staggered. At the first meeting of the Council, members shall classify themselves by lot so that some members shall have a term of office of one year, some members shall have a term of office of two years, and some members shall have a term of office of three years. (1966 Code, § 37-6) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

(A) A vacancy on the Council shall occur automatically on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term: (1) Removal of the incumbent for any reason; (2) Death or resignation of the incumbent; (3) Ceasing to meet any of the criteria for membership as specified in § 3.05.123 of this article; or (4) Absence from three regular or special meetings in any 12-month period. (B) The Secretary of the Council shall certify the happening of any vacating event to the Council. The Council may waive any vacating event for any member of the Council by majority vote of the Council. (C) The nominating committee of the Council shall make interim appointments to fill unexpired terms in the event of vacancies occurring during the term of members of the Council. (1966 Code, § 37-7) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

The members of the Council shall mutually elect a chairperson who shall serve for a term of one year. The Council shall make such rules and regulations as are necessary to conduct its business. (1966 Code, § 37-8) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

The meetings of the Council and the Council’s committees are subject to the open meeting provisions contained in the Ralph M. Brown Act. (1966 Code, § 37-9) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

The members of the Council shall serve without compensation. (1966 Code, § 37-10) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

The functions of the Child Abuse Prevention Council shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (A) To provide a forum for interagency cooperation and coordination in the prevention, detection, treatment and legal processing of child abuse cases; (B) To promote public awareness of the abuse and neglect of children and the resources available for intervention and treatment; (C) To encourage and facilitate training of professionals in the detection, treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect; (D) To recommend improvements in services to families and victims; (E) To encourage and facilitate community support for child abuse and neglect programs; (F) To recommend utilization of public or private funds (including donations) made available to the Child Abuse

Prevention Council of San Benito County and to advise the Board of Supervisors on the selection of child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention projects, programs, services and special studies funded through county’s Children’s Trust Fund monies; and (G) The Council shall be designated by the county Board of Supervisors to receive county’s Children’s Trust Funds which shall be used to fund child abuse and neglect prevention programs operated by non-profit or public institutions of higher education with recognized expertise in their fields related to child welfare. (1966 Code, § 37-11) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

The Council may form committees to carry out specific functions, such as the following: (A) Interagency coordination committees; (B) Multi-disciplinary personnel teams; (C) Professional training committees; (D) Public awareness committees; (E) Service improvement committees; (F) Advocacy committees; and (G) Fund-raising committees. (1966 Code, § 37-12) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))

(A) The Child Abuse Prevention Council members shall prepare and file the statement of economic interest pursuant to the Fair Political Practices Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 87100 et seq.). (B) Until the county’s Conflict of Interest Code is amended, the Council members shall complete and file all schedules adopted by the county. (1966 Code, § 37-13) (Ord. 786, § 1(part))