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EPIC hosts symposium on Coordinated Community Response

(Front row, center) SoValTi presenters, Tim Logan and Kendra Hughes with members of the Empowering Pacific Island Communities dba EPIC, a community-based nonprofit organization which, in collaboration with Catholic Social Services and Back on Track, hosted a symposium on Coordinated Community Response, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 — at the Fatu-o-Aiga Pastoral Center, in Tafuna.  [courtesy photo]
Source: Media release, Empowering Pacific Island Communities

Empowering Pacific Island Communities (EPIC), a community-based nonprofit organization, in collaboration with Catholic Social Services and Back on Track, hosted last week at Fatuoaiga, a symposium on "Coordinated Community Response" to engage practitioners in the development of a program for youth offender re-entry, domestic violence and sexual assault programming and services.

The goal is to engage advocates, policy makers, service providers, and community members to effectively address domestic violence and ensure the safety and well being of all clients served.

According to the coordinators of the program, Coordinated Community Response requires multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional cooperation and communication to provide a wrap-around approach to services and interventions for juveniles, victims and perpetrators.

"This effort must include voices from the fields of adult and juvenile criminal justice, health care, victim services, alcohol and drug treatment and children's service agencies."

The symposium aimed to identify the key elements to a Coordinated Community Response that works to reduce prohibitive challenges when accessing education, health care, employment opportunities, as well as ensure the safety, well-being, and stability of all clients.

Presenters outlined the structure of a Coordinated Community Response and its areas of focus: system coordination, policy and leadership, education and training, and prevention.

The symposium was led by SoValTi, a nonprofit social services agency headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

The presenters included the owner and agency administrator for SoValTi, Tim Logan, who has more than 30 years experience working in the fields of juvenile and adult criminal justice.

Kendra Hughes, the administrative assistant, facilitator and trainer for SoValTi, has more than 3 decades of experience in the fields of education and social justice.

SoValTi is a culturally sensitive social service agency committed to serving African American and biracial individuals in the Portland Metropolitan area. It specializes in working with men, women and children using a trauma informed approach to emphasize self-examination as a means to engaging individuals in the change process.

SoCalTi offers an array of culturally responsive services, education, and programming. Their staff of system navigators assist and provide clients with the resources and tools to encourage success.

SoValTi’s mission is to promote healthy and productive lifestyles by infusing cultural knowledge through the empowerment and strength of each man, woman, and child.

For more information, contact executive director, Toetasi F. Tuiteleleapaga 699-7923 or Mona Uli 258-4957