CANDU (Community Action Network Directed Upstream) - is an informal, community wide group of people and agencies looking at primary prevention strategies focused on strengthening the protective factors in our community that foster wellness (cultural identity, collaboration, commitment to youth, arts and culture; parks & recreation; etc.) CANDU also includes eight partners participating in a specific state grant to SAFE that are working on specific activities and programs identified by the full CANDU group as the best place to put our money, time and efforts into right now.
CANDU meets every other month on the first Wednesday of the month at Noon at SAFE for a working lunch (we provide food & drink). Bernina Venua, Prevention Coordinator, is the ‘go to’ person for anything CANDU. Since the beginning, CANDU has been informally co-chaired by Ginger Baim and Rachel Muir. (mailto:director@safebristolbay.org, Rachel.muir@alaska.gov)
DELTA/RAFT – Rural Alliance For Teens - is a community coordinating Resource (CCR) initially organized by SAFE under a DELTA (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances) grant from the Center for Disease Control to the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault focused on teen violence prevention – as in preventing the first time victimization or perpetration of interpersonal violence among youth. DELTA is a national program with over 30 states currently participating. Establishing and supporting an independent CCR is an essential part of the program to foster community buy in and involvement of a wider range of people (not so agency based). The DELTA grant to SAFE pays part of the Prevention Coordinator’s salary and also for a half time Youth Advocate. We, in turn, provide technical assistance and organizational support for RAFT. RAFT meets the third Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. Location of the meetings rotates on a monthly basis. Since its beginning, RAFT has been informally co-chaired by the SAFE/DELTA Coordinator (currently Bernina Venua). (mailto:prevention@safebristolbay.org)
Community Justice Alliance – CJA is an informal group of people and agencies involved with the criminal, civil, community justice system. CJA was initially created in 2003 through an MOA with SAFE under a Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization grant through the U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Violence Against Women. The focus of this group is to increase collaboration and cooperation to enhance the safety of victims of violence and to promote social justice. Regularly attending members include Juvenile/Adult probation, City & State police, BBNA (VPSO Coordinator, ICWA, etc.), prosecutor, public defender, Alaska Legal Services, Jakes Place/BBAHC, Corrections, OCS, SAFE, judges & magistrates, Adult Basic Education/UAF, SART/SANE & medical staff from BBAHC, Curyung, Youth Court, CAC, City of Dillingham, and members from the faith & business community. The CJA meets the third Thursday of every other month at noon at SAFE (yes, we feed and water you for free). From the beginning the CJA has been chaired by SAFE Director Ginger Baim and is organized by SAFE Outreach and Education Coordinator Bernina Venua. (mailto:prevetion@safebristolbay.org)
Early Childhood Interagency Task Force – Co-Chaired by the local public health nurses and BBNA Head Start, this is a multi agency group that meets quarterly to share information and network services and resources. SAFE’s Children Services Coordinator is a member of this group.
Behavioral Health Advisory Council – Serves as an advisory board of directors for the regional alcohol/drug abuse treatment program. SAFE’s Executive Director serves on this Council.
SART – The Sexual Assault Response Team meets monthly to review ongoing sexual assault cases and to review, revise and maintain protocols and procedures developed for a coordinated response to sexual assault victims. SAFE’s SART Coordinator chairs this meeting.
Child Advocacy Center – This group meets monthly to review cases and coordinate interventions for children and families at risk. SAFE’s Children Services Coordinator serves on this Committee.