Check-in calls for Omaha - November 19 - June 20
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SL and Omaha discussed the SAMS installation that Portland came and helped with. Site having some difficulties figuring out privacy concerns between OPD data and SAMS program; Portland due to come back for another training. New site coordinator (Lindsey); conditional crime analyst hire. Site asked about particular offender who was previously convicted, but SAEK only now tested under SAKI; Ruthie to check in with Pattie to see if any problem using SAKI funds to address the kit.
No problems using SAKI funding to test that SAEK. Checked with Pattie.
SL and Omaha discussed SAMS progress - a holding pattern, and meeting issues within the OPD regarding reluctance to mix the OPD's RMS with incoming SAMS. OPD has hired new IT person and become more stringent on who can access which information; they'd prefer to build their own RMS.
SL and site also discuss grant timing - NE state laboratory right now testing SAEKs under a different grant, but that grant runs out in late 2020. Site considering applying for new round of funding to keep current staff employed rather than hiring and training new laboratory staff; they're not sure if state lab employees can test only Omaha kits, even if fully SAKI-funded for that purpose.
Site has hired Taryn Sherman as crime analyst. They will be implementing SAMS. A subgroup broken off from the full working group has helped to develop victim protocols.
Site continues to work on SAMS implementation. Crime analyst and site coordinator are wondering whether some SAEKs were falsely identified as SAKI, so they'll figure out what cases they need to examine in depth and do so. That may need an extension.
Site requests on-site training with investigator, prosecutor, and community-based advocate for those who A) weren't at the site visit and B) didn't find the visit helpful based on how early they were in the process. Specifically request ViCAP help on the investigation side, and victim notification regarding tie-in to prosecution.
Ruthie, Amanda, and Pattie discuss in-person training. Not likely to happen before fall due to budget constraints; late summer is earliest expected time. (COVID also an interruption later.)
SL checks in with site on COVID-related delays; none to report regarding general laboratory and site coordinator will check in on CODIS upload delays and get back to SL.
SAMS-wise, Portland is testing new changes; many non-essential staff WFH, so may be delayed, but generally Omaha is going forward with SAMS.
Site checks in re: training; SL advises that there are several online resources available and SL will continue to look for ones specifically pertaining to the requests, but an in-person training is unlikely before late summer, especially with COVID.
OPD is looking at connecting to the media to put out feelers re: SA Awareness Month; WCA is doing something similar. COVID interrupted some of those measures.
Only some site members are coming into the office.
Site submitted grant application for 2020 and is continuing the completion of the inventory re-certification after the quarterly report finished.
SAMS is continuing to be implemented with Portland's help.
SAMS continues to be implemented and updated.
COVID has slowed down some city operations, but not many changes.
Site has 84% of budget unspent; it's too soon to see whether COVID will bring major upheavals, especially re: lab, but they're fine on budget for now. Lindsey asked laboratory about COVID impact, and they hadn't had much impact.
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