header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
October 5
1970 - College of the Canyons' first on-campus classes held in portable buildings located just south of future Cougar Stadium [story]
portables


The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion Tuesday to establish the Family Assistance Program to support families following an in-custody death or fatal use of force.

This motion is based upon work done by the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission.

“We were all moved by the stories and testimonies of members of our communities who have lost loved ones,” said Brian K. Williams, executive director of the Civilian Oversight Commission. “The creation of the Family Assistance Program illustrates how when we listen to one another, dialogue and collectively work together, good things can happen. This is a great example of the work that the Commission is capable of.”

According to the motion, the Family Assistance Program is “aimed at improving compassionate communication with and providing trauma-informed support to families who lose a loved one through a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s deputy’s fatal use of force or in-custody death.”

“These families who lose a loved one through an encounter with the Sheriff’s department or die in custody under the jurisdiction of the County go through traumatic grief,” said Patti Giggans, L.A. County Civilian Oversight Commission chair and executive director of Peace Over Violence.

“Our Commission spent a lot of time listening to the families and working with community advocacy groups, and we were able to identify gaps in communication and support services,” Giggans said. “We look forward to the development of the multi-disciplinary Family Assistance Program, an approach that will provide grieving families with timely information and a warm handoff to services.”

In the last three years, more than 100 people have died during incidents involving a fatal use of force by deputies in the field or while in the custody of the LA County Sheriff’s Department.

“The need for the Family Assistance Program cannot be overstated,” said J.P. Harris, Civilian Oversight commissioner. “Collaboration with other county departments and community organizations will ultimately result in enhanced relationships between the Sheriff’s Department and communities they serve.”

The Family Assistance Program calls for collaboration among several county departments, identifying roles for Mental Health, Public Health, Medical Examiner-Coroner, Registrar-Recorder, Inspector General, Civilian Oversight Commission and the Chief Executive Office. Participation from the Sheriff and District Attorney is also requested.

family assistance program
Background
On Sept. 27, 2018, the Civilian Oversight Commission unanimously voted to approve the Family Assistance recommendations. The Family Assistance and Communications ad hoc committee was created to review interactions between the Sheriff’s Department and family members following fatal use of force and in-custody deaths.

Collaboration with community groups such as the Youth Justice Coalition and other county departments was essential in identifying systemic issues and discovering solutions to bridge the gap.

The committee consisted of Chair Patti Giggans, Commissioner James P. Harris, Commissioner Priscilla Ocen, and former Chair Heather Miller.

On October 9, 2018, a separate motion by Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sheila Kuehl instructed the Chief Executive Office to review the recommendations and report back. The June 19, 2019 report-back outlines an implementation plan for the program.

To learn about the directives and requests for the program, view the “Supporting families following an in-custody death or fatal use of force” motion authored by Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sheila Kuehl and approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 9, 2019.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Nadiya Littlewarrior says:

    Thank you!!!

Leave a Comment


LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Friday, Oct 4, 2024
The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued an excessive heat warning as high temperatures in the triple digits have been forecast for the Santa Clarita Valley Saturday, Oct. 5 through Monday, Oct. 7.
Friday, Oct 4, 2024
Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger recently honored Donna Deutchman, the retired Chief Executive Officer of Homes 4 Families, a non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to helping veterans and their families attain affordable housing
Friday, Oct 4, 2024
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk has announced voters can expect to start receiving their ballots for the Nov. 5 General Election in the mail within the next few days.
Wednesday, Oct 2, 2024
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced the release of new data dashboards that provide the public with unprecedented access to track the work being done to address homelessness in Los Angeles.
Wednesday, Oct 2, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a new case of locally acquired dengue in a resident of El Monte.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1970 - College of the Canyons' first on-campus classes held in portable buildings located just south of future Cougar Stadium [story]
portables
The Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 8: SUSD Holds Public Hearing on Teachers’ Union Proposal
The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued an excessive heat warning as high temperatures in the triple digits have been forecast for the Santa Clarita Valley Saturday, Oct. 5 through Monday, Oct. 7.
Excessive Heat Warning Predicts Triple Digit Temps for SCV
Eclipse Theatre LA presents Ray Bradbury’s "Something Wicked This Way Comes," an adaptation of the classic novel by the legendary science fiction and horror author, on select dates in October in Old Town Newhall.
‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ at The Main
October is National Women's Small Business Month and to celebrate Los Angeles County Fifth District Superviser Kathryn Barger honored three Fifth District small business owners at the Board of Supervisors meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Barger Honors Posh Sweets During Women’s Small Business Month
Dr. Jason Wright, an astronomy and astrophysics professor at Penn State, will present “Intelligent Ways to Search for Extraterrestrials” at the College of the Canyons Fall 2024 Star Party on Friday, Nov. 1.
Nov. 1: COC 2024 Fall Star Party at Canyon Country Campus
The city of Santa Clarita will present the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show weekend showings from Friday, Oct. 25 - Sunday, Oct. 27 at the Centre, 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway, Saugus, CA 91350.
Oct. 25-27: Rocky Horror Picture Show Weekend Showing at the Centre
The Santa Clarita City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 8, in open session beginning at 6 p.m.
Oct. 8: Council to Hold Public Hearing on Tesoro Del Valle Project Changes
Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger recently honored Donna Deutchman, the retired Chief Executive Officer of Homes 4 Families, a non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to helping veterans and their families attain affordable housing
Barger Honors Retired CEO of Homes 4 Families
The award-winning Hart High School dance team is hosting a youth clinic on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2-4:30 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium. The event is open to boys and girls ages 4-18 and no previous dance experience is required.
Oct. 12: Hart High Dance Team Hosts Youth Clinic
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk has announced voters can expect to start receiving their ballots for the Nov. 5 General Election in the mail within the next few days.
L.A. County Issues Vote by Mail Ballots
The United States Department of Justice has announced federal and local law enforcement have arrested 42 members and associates of the SFV Peckerwoods, a San Fernando Valley-based white supremacist street gang, on a 76-count federal grand jury indictment.
Canyon Country Woman Charged in Federal Indictment
The Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra presents "Young Stars and Old Masters," Sunday, Oct. 13 2-4 p.m. at Canyon High School Performing Arts Center, 19300 Nadal St., Santa Clarita, 91351.
Oct. 13:  Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra ‘Young Stars, Old Masters’
1900 - Pico oil driller Alex Mentry (as in Mentryville) succumbs to typhoid fever at California Hospital in Los Angeles [story]
Alex Mentry
The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce announced its 14th annual Salute to Patriots event, as the business community comes together to salute veterans for leadership in the business community and their dedicated service to America.
Nov. 7: Salute to Patriots Nominations Now Open
The family of Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in partnership with the American Red Cross presents the Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer Memorial Blood Drive on Monday, Oct. 7.
Oct. 7: Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer Memorial Blood Drive
The city of Santa Clarita announces the return of the second annual Pet Adoption Week, Monday, Oct. 7-Saturday, Oct. 12.
City Waives Adoption Fees for Pet Adoption Week
The Sable Movie Ranch, located near the intersection of Sand Canyon and Placerita Canyon Roads has been listed for sale at $35 million.
Sable Movie Ranch Listed for $35M
As fall approaches, the city of Santa Clarita is gearing up for its most anticipated season of the year.
Jason Gibbs | Explore Events at Santa Clarita Community Centers
On behalf of Q2 Solutions, IQVIA Laboratories invites members of the Santa Clarita Valley business community to the Grand Opening ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 9-10:30 a.m.
Oct. 9: Q2 Solutions Grand Opening, Site Tour
California Institute of the Arts has announced the death of Robert J. Fitzpatrick, 84, (1940-2024), CalArt’s second president, who died on Sept. 30.
Robert Fitzpatrick, CalArts’ Second President Dies at 84
For the fifth consecutive time since its formation in 2018, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency has been recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with a WaterSense Excellence Award.
SCV Water Wins Fifth Consecutive U.S. EPA WaterSense Excellence Award
College of the Canyons women's soccer opened the Western State Conference, South Division portion of its schedule Tuesday, Oct. 1, with a 2-0 victory over visiting Glendale College.
COC Women’s Soccer Starts Conference, 2-0 Over Glendale
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department and Associated Student Government are inviting students, staff and community members to attend the 2024 Homecoming Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 17 at Cougar Stadium.
Oct. 17: All Invited to COC Homecoming at Cougar Stadium
SCVNews.com