Maricopa Family Advocacy Center, Against Abuse not on same page

 

Pinal County Board of Supervisors put the brakes on an agreement for the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center to allow time to reconsider its partners.

Torri Anderson of Against Abuse said it has never been explained to her why the agency has not been included in the plans for the FAC. A similar organization in Maricopa County, Winged Hope, is a partnering agency.

Supervisor Tony Smith of Maricopa pulled the item from the consent agenda Wednesday.

“I consider this agreement flawed until it has reached out to all compatible partnering sponsors,” Smith said.

The Maricopa FAC is planned to be a place for investigation, prosecution, victim assistance and medical treatment related to domestic violence and sexual assault. The agreement before the supervisors was for the “design, construction and operation” of the center.

Partnering agencies named in the agreement, most providing $10,000 or equal in-kind services, are the City of Maricopa, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Casa Grande, Dignity Health, Winged Hope and Community Alliance Against Family Abuse (CAAFA) in Apache Junction.

Smith pointed out the list of sponsoring agencies and said Against Abuse “for whatever reason has been left off.”

Maricopa Police Department is steering the creation of the FAC. Chief Steve Stahl said in a later interview the agreement in question is about the architectural refurbishing of the building so it functions properly for investigations.

While Against Abuse is valued and already considered a partner with MPD, the development of the FAC is “not at the stage” where that agency’s resources are needed, Stahl said. That had previously been explained in writing for a councilmember who had also asked about the issue, he said. When the details of the facility are in place, MPD will reach out to Against Abuse and other agencies.

“We don’t want to blur the line of advocacy versus investigation,” he said.

Last June, Maricopa City Council voted to facilitate the FAC.

The county supervisors were asked to approve the agreement because of the participation of PCSO. Smith said the steering committee should have enlisted support from all compatible agencies, “especially those co-located” with the Maricopa Family Advocacy Center.

Against Abuse has a domestic violence shelter in Maricopa.

“You’re right across the street?” BOS Chairman Todd House asked Anderson.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Literally right across the street?”

“Yes.”

Supervisor Stephen Miller called Against Abuse a “terrific and fantastic organization” and said delaying a vote would allow the opportunity to find out why it was left out.

However, Supervisor Pete Rios did not want the county to “muscle in” an agency if it was not something the FAC committee wanted to do and could further delay services an FAC would provide. He said he never heard anything negative about Against Abuse but said if the committee felt it needed to leave the agency out, “there must be something there.”

Anderson said Against Abuse has worked seamlessly with FACs in Eloy and San Tan Valley.

Chris Keller, deputy county attorney, said the county does not pick the partners and was only involved because “PCSO cannot on their own enter into contracts.”

The supervisors opted to place the agreement on its March 28 agenda. Smith said he also wanted the agreement to reflect any legislative changes about family advocacy from Senate Bill 1107. That bill, passed in 2017, amends Arizona Revised Statures concerning child guardianship.

MPD is asking the public to participate in a logo contest for the Family Advocacy Center.

Saturday, Against Abuse is hosting its annual fund-raising gala, Seeds of Change, at Province.

---

---

MOBILE USERS GET NEWS FIRST. Download InMaricopa for Apple and Android devices.