COSW Meeting Information - August 26, 2015 - Supporting Documents
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
August 26, 2015
Each heading refers to a specific policy area as reflected in the Commission’s Strategic Plan.
I. Policy Leadership & Outreach on the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Ordinance
A. Gender Analysis of Boards and Commissions
Outreach and data collection has begun for the Department’s biannual Gender Analysis of Boards and Commissions. Summer Policy Intern Sharon Chung has compiled demographic data for more than half of the City and County of San Francisco’s appointed board members and commissioners. We will finish collecting data and then conduct analysis and prepare the 2015 Report this fall.
B. Cities for CEDAW Campaign
The Department continues to support the Cities for CEDAW campaign, providing information, resources, and technical assistance to cities preparing to pass and implement a local CEDAW measure. In July, Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Newman and I presented to a group of coalition members in Washington, DC, who expect committee hearings on a proposed CEDAW amendment to existing human rights law this fall.
Dr. Soon-Young Yoon, President of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women – New York, has invited me to join a delegation of American women leaders to attend meetings of the U.S. Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women the week of November 9. My role will be to discuss implementation of the 1998 San Francisco CEDAW Ordinance. This will be the first time American leaders will have an opportunity to brief CEDAW Committee Members as a group on this work.
II. Women’s Economic Empowerment
- Legislation
In early July, Ms. Newman testified in support of Supervisor Katy Tang’s Charter Amendment to Enhance Paid Parental Leave at the Rules Committee. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to place the amendment on the November 2015 ballot. If passed by the voters, this amendment would:
- Permit city workers to keep 40 hours of sick time on the books when they begin their parental leave. Currently, city workers must exhaust all other paid leave before starting their paid parental leave, forcing workers to take unpaid time off to take their infant for wellness checks or when they themselves are ill at a time when their finances are often stretched with their expanding family.
- Extend equal benefits for both parents if there are two city workers in the same family. Currently,
if both parents are city workers, they must split the benefit. For example, if Partner 1 takes 8 weeks off, then Partner 2 only gets the remaining 4 weeks off of paid leave.
The Department also proposed two bills from the Stronger California Agenda for support by the City and County of San Francisco. Elizabeth presented SB 406 and SB 358, both from Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, at the State Legislative Committee (SLC) on August 12, 2015.
- SB 406 is a bill to expand job-protected leave for Californians providing care to family. The legislation modifies the California Family Rights Act, which allows employees to take up to 12 weeks unpaid, job-protected leave to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child, to align with the covered family members in California’s Paid Family Leave program, which provides up to six weeks of partial wage replacement to workers who take time off to care for a seriously ill child, spouse, parent, domestic partner, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or parent-in-law, or to bond with a new child. The bill further expands job-protected leave for employees taking time off to be caregivers by removing an exception when both parents are employed by the same employer and reducing the small business exemption to 25 or fewer employees. The SLC voted to support SB 406 at the Department’s recommendation.
- SB 358 is a bill to update language and close loopholes in the California Equal Pay Act to narrow the gender pay gap. The proposed legislation would protect employees who inquire or speak out about wage differentials at work and place the onus on employers to prove that a pay differential is for a bona fide factor not based on sex. The San Francisco Department of Human Resources expressed concerns over language in the bill that requires equal pay for “substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, and performed under similar working conditions.” The SLC voted to support SB 358 if amended to require equal pay for substantially similar work performed under similar working conditions.
The Department continues to monitor the development of data collection and implementation procedures of the Equal Pay Ordinance by the Equal Pay Advisory Board.
B. Gender Equitable Workplaces
On August 6, the Department co-hosted a very successful educational forum for employers and advocates around new laws and legislation on equal pay, predictable and flexible scheduling, and transparency in supply chains with the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and AAUW San Francisco Branch. Employer 411 was held at the Phillip Burton Federal Building. The opening plenary panels presented to a standing room only crowd and the breakout sessions featured lively discussion, particularly around the Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance and the Retail Workers’ Bill of Rights. Many thanks to Vice President Andrea Shorter for providing welcoming remarks.
C. Women Architects
On August 13, Ms. Newman and I met with Ms. Rosa Sheng, Architect & Senior Associate at Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, and a member of the American Institute of Architects San Francisco Chapter Board of Directors, who has spent the last 4 years launching a national movement to increase the number of women architects. She has been interviewed by National Public Radio and the Wall Street Journal for her work in urging the American Institute of Architects to better serve women in the field. We brainstormed ways to pursue a program to encourage women in non-traditional fields.
D. Women’s Apprenticeship & Career Opportunities Fair
On August 18, the Department of Human Resources sponsored an outreach fair to encourage women to pursue opportunities in public safety, information technology, and the skilled trades. Department staff assisted in publicizing the event which is part of the Mayor’s women’s empowerment agenda.
E. Women in Skilled Trades
On August 20, Ms. Newman and I participated in a meeting convened by Friends of the Commission Board Member Peg McAllister to meet with senior managers of PG&E and Recology to discuss increasing the number of women employed in skilled trades. We brainstormed a number of ideas and will be continuing the dialogue with private sector and government agency partners.
III. Women's Health & Safety
A. Anti-Violence Against Women Program
We closed the grant and funding cycle for the VAW Partner Agencies for FY 2014-2015 as grant agreements for the current funded agencies concluded June 30, 2015. Partner Agencies have been reminded of year- end deadlines and are working to ensure they meet goals and deliverables. In order to close out the fiscal year, final invoices were to have been be submitted August 7, 2015. The total funding allocation for FY2014-2015 was $4.88M.
1. 2014 Annual Partner Agency Meeting
On June 16, Ms. Sacco convened the annual 2014 Partner Agency Meeting. The topic of the meeting was Emergency Preparedness, including Organizational Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Planning. We had presentations from Megan Stephenson, Community Preparedness Coordinator, Department of Emergency Management and Dr. Peg Jackson of Peg Jackson & Associates on Business Continuity. Dr. Jackson presented how to respond to a crisis, how to move beyond the crisis, and how to resume operations after a crisis. As a follow-up to the Business Continuity Planning piece of the meeting, Dr. Jackson offered to provide a hands-on workshop with agencies to develop their plans. Ms. Sacco coordinated two sessions with Partner Agencies, August 12 and August 13.
2. VAW Prevention and Intervention Grants Program – Request for Proposals for FY 2015-2018
Grant Agreements for FY 2015-2016 have been approved and signed by our City Attorney, and our accountant has encumbered the funds. Our Violence Against Women Partner Agencies continue to provide comprehensive violence prevention services to the community in the following categories: Crisis Line, Intervention & Advocacy, Legal Services, Prevention and Education, Emergency Shelter Services, Transitional Housing, and Anti-Human Trafficking. The Violence Against Women Prevention and Intervention Grants Program will allocate almost $5.75M over the next three-year funding cycle.
We received excellent news from the Mayor’s Office about a 10% increase in funding for programs that were funded last fiscal year, and a 2.5% across the board cost of doing business increase (these increases are already accounted for in the $5.75M). To account for these increases, Ms. Sacco will create Contract Amendments for the agencies and the additional funds are expected to be made available by October 1.
The Department also received additional grant funds for violence prevention services for Filipina women and community building services for survivors of intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community. Ms. Sacco worked closely with Summer Policy Intern Ruka Wang to issue a competitive Request for Proposals (RPF). The RFP was released August 10, with applications due August 21. Review Panel and Funding Committee meetings have been scheduled for early September. The Commission will be asked to vote on the funding recommendation at the September Commission meeting.
3. Domestic Violence Liaisons Program with Human Resources
As a result of an effort begun at a meeting with Vice President Andrea Shorter, Domestic Violence Consortium Executive Director Beverly Upton and myself with the Department of Human Resources Director Micki Callahan and her staff and continued staffing by Women’s Policy Director Minouche Kandel, the Domestic Violence Liaison Program has launched. This program will train City employees to be a supportive presence in the workplace for co-workers who are experiencing domestic violence. Employees volunteer to be a domestic violence liaison and will receive a 3-hour training from community-based advocates in September that will be organized by the Department. Requests for applications went out to all city employees in July, along with a copy of the Domestic Violence in the Workplace brochure that the Department developed. So far, 45 employees have volunteered from 24 different departments. Policy Fellow Julie Lim also designed a Domestic Violence in the Workplace outreach brochure which will be distributed to break/lunch rooms in city departments. I want to also acknowledge Supervisor Eric Mar and his staff for furthering supporting this effort with a past board resolution.
4. 2015 Annual Partner Agency Meeting
On Tuesday, July 29, we held our 2015 Annual Partner Agency meeting. Dr. Niel Tashima and Cathleen Crain, Principals of the Washington, DC-based LTG Associates, Inc., presented their research and findings on preventing intimate partner violence in immigrant and refugee communities and highlighted their recent report Strengthening What Works: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence in Immigrant and Refugee Communities. The report was in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnston Foundation and spanned almost four years. LTG evaluated eight diverse intimate partner violence prevention programs with an eye towards understand the key lessons from programs as a way to improve the health and well-being of underserved, vulnerable populations. The Asian Women’s Shelter – Chai Chats was one of eight nationally selected programs to be evaluated. The training was well-attended by Partner Agency representatives.
5. Death Review Team
Women’s Policy Director Minouche Kandel and Ms. Sacco are convening the Domestic Violence Death Review Team to review adjudicated cases of domestic violence homicides next month.
- Human Trafficking
- Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking
Super Bowl and Trafficking: On July 28, the Board of Supervisors passed the “No Traffick Ahead” resolution to use the leverage of City/County contracting to address human trafficking. The resolution urges that no local government events be held at hotels unless they have signed a sex trafficking code of conduct; trained their staff on human trafficking; and taken steps to mitigate risk of trafficking in their supply chain. Similarly, no events should be held at restaurants unless they have trained their staff on human trafficking; and taken steps to mitigate risk of trafficking in their supply chain. It also urges that certain city departments receive training on human trafficking.
The cities of Cupertino and Oakland are considering parallel resolutions. Ms. Kandel has been participating in a regional “No Traffick Ahead” work group, and advocates around the Bay Area are taking up this resolution with their communities.
On August 5, I met with Minal Patel Davis, Special Advisor on Human Trafficking to Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Officer Rafael Pantoja of the Houston Police Department to share our work in prepration for the Super Bowl. Houston is the next host city.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Protocol at Family and Children’s Services: Ms. Kandel has been participating in Family & Children’s Services CSEC Steering Committee, to help develop an interagency protocol to respond to Commercially Sexually Exploited Children. City agencies have agreed that all identified CSEC will be referred to the CPS hotline.
Presentation to Dignity Health: On June 30, Minouche Kandel presented on the Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking to a workgroup at Dignity Health, which has formed to address human trafficking at its hospitals.
Prioritizing Safety for Sex Worker Policies: Working with the Sex Worker Committee of the Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking, Ms. Kandel has been coordinating meetings with the District Attorney’s Office and Police Department on creating policies to facilitate the ability of sex workers who are victims or witnesses of violent crimes/trafficking to report these crimes without fear of being arrested or prosecuted. The DA Policy is complete, and the Police Department policy is in progress.
Mayor Lee’s Participation in the Vatican Symposium on Climate Change and Human Trafficking. I provided Mayor Edwin Lee and First Lady Anita Lee with background information on human trafficking for their trip to the Vatican’s Symposium on Climate Change and Human Trafficking hosted by Pope Francis and attended by Governor Jerry Brown, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, among other dignitaries.
Human Trafficking Policy at the San Francisco Unified School District: On July 29, Ms. Kandel and I met with staff of the San Francisco Unified School District to discuss introducing a resolution at the School Board which would direct the District to update its policies to recognize that human trafficking is a form of child abuse, and to train staff at the School District in human trafficking. The resolution will be introduced on Tuesday August 25, after which it will go to the Curriculum Committee before a final vote, expected in October.
- Family Violence Council
1. Family Violence Council Report Recommendations
On July 27, Ms. Kandel and I, along with the Tri-Chairs of the Family Violence Council, met with Police Chief Greg Suhr to discuss several recommendations to include in the 2014 Family Violence Council Report that involve the Police Department. Chief Suhr agreed to specific recommendations that will be discussed at tonight’s meeting.
2. 2014 Report on Family Violence in San Francisco
Tonight, the Commission is requested to approve the final report, including recommendations.
IV. Outreach
A. Osaka University Guest Lecture
For a third year in a row, I was invited to be a guest lecturer via Skype for a course at Osaka University on social issues. My topic was “New Challenges for Workers in the 21st Century: Gender Equality,” and I gave the presentation to a class of close to 100 undergraduates, not only Japanese students, but also Korean, Chinese, and Thai students. What is unique about this course is that guest lecturers are asked to assign a homework project. I asked students to review our Gender Equality Principles Initiative website and propose 3 policies for advancing women in the workplace. The responses ranged from “women ought to stay home and raise families” to recommendations for expanded childcare, flexible schedules, and a repeal of the spousal tax that limits the amount of income a spouse can earn before a hefty tax penality is imposed.
B. U.S. State Department Delegation
On August 20, I hosted at the Department a State Department delegation composed of Ms. Junko Fujita, Supervisor, Division of Regional Potential Creation, Hiroshima Prefecture, the Hon. Kyoko Kiguchi, Okayama Prefectural Assemblymember, Ms. Yukiko Morishita, Manager, Personnel Department, Nagoya Branch, Chubu Electric Power Company, Hon. Masako Nakagawa, Okayama Prefectural Assemblymember, Hon. Hyogo Prefectural Assemblymember, and Ms. Chieko Yamaguchi, Assistant Director, Gender Equity Office, Aichi Prefectural Government. The purpose of their visit to the U.S. was to seek concrete policies for the advancement of women.
V. Department Budget & Administration
- Budget
The Mayor’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 was approved with a significant General Fund increase for the Department on the Status of Women’s Violence Against Women (VAW) Prevention & Intervention Grants Program, the entirety of which will be awarded to local community-based organizations that serve survivors of gender-based violence. Agencies funded in the previous VAW Grants Cycle will receive a 10% increase in their General Fund Support for the upcoming cycle to foster innovation, infrastructure, and self-care in the community. The remainder of the increase will go toward funding five new programs, including an after-hours emergency response to support commercially sexually exploited children & young adults in San Francisco. Earlier, the Mayor announced that all VAW Partner Agencies will also receive a 2.5% Cost-of-Doing-Business Adjustment. The Board of Supervisors additionally approved two addbacks for the Department—one to fund domestic violence prevention services for Filipina women and for domestic violence survivors in the LGBTQ community, for a total of $23,000 in support over two years. As reported previously, the Mayor’s Office has funded the Human Trafficking Task Force proposal for a 24-hour response to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children over the coming 2 years for a total of about $400,000.
Compared to last year, the Department’s budget for anti-violence against women funding increased from $4.88M to $5.75M, an 18% increase. Over this fiscal year and next, the total amount of additional funding amounts to $1.85M, and represents a historically high level of investment in these services by the City. These increases would not have been possible without the strong advocacy by our community-based partners and the skilled handling of our Fiscal & Policy Analyst Stephanie Nguyen.
- Summer 2015 Department Internship Program
Under the support and mentorship of Ms. Sacco and Ms. Nguyen, Summer Intern Ruka Wang was able to complete a policy brief and a fact sheet analyzing the effects of the gendered narrative of domestic violence on the LGBTQ community. While many cases of domestic violence fall into the category of male abusers harming their female partners, the normalization of that narrative negatively impacts the ability of LGBTQ individuals to obtain domestic violence services and to prevent domestic violence within their communities. Ms. Wang will explore the specific issues and share policy recommendations in her presentation.
Tonight you will also be hearing from Ms. Jenna Waldman who will be presenting information about the domestic violence public outreach campaign that the Mayor announced this year as part of the women’s empowerment initiative. Ms. Waldman has been working closely with Ms. Kandel on evaluating contractors for this effort. I want to thank all of our wonderful summer interns, Ms. Wang, Ms. Waldman, Sage Fanucchi-Funes, and Sharon Chung for their exceptional work at the Department this summer.
C. Staff Transitions
Tonight will be final Commission meeting for Ms. Nguyen who has contributed greatly to the work of Department as our Fiscal & Policy Analyst. Please join me in thanking her for her service. We will be soon be posting the position.
Our new Administrative Coordinator Herschell Larrick will start at the Department on Monday, September 14. You will have the opportunity to meet him at the next Commission meeting, slated for Wednesday, September 16, 3 -5 pm (note special date and time), at City Hall, Room 408.
VI. Calendar
Events organized by the Commission and Department are in italics. Events are in San Francisco unless otherwise noted.
Wed, Aug 26 Women’s Equality Day hosted by House Leader Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Edin Lee, 9:30 am, Elections Dept., City Hall Ground Floor, free but RSVP required, https://goo.gl/4Uavlx
Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking General Meeting, 1:30 – 3:30 pm,
City Hall Room 305
Commission Meeting, 4 – 6 pm, City Hall Room 408
Sept 12-13 “Beijing + 20 Regional Call to Action & Film Festival,” Futures without Violence Open Space, 100 Montgomery Street *in the Presidio.* http://winaction.org/events/wed.html.
Wed, Sept 2 Family Violence Council Meeting, 3 – 5 pm, 400 McAllister Street, Room 617
Mon, Sept 14 Healthy Mothers Workplace Awards Ceremony, 9 – 11 am, Federal Building, 90 7th Street
Wed, Sept 16 Commission Meeting, *3 – 5 pm*, City Hall Room 408 (Note: Special time and date)
Thurs, Oct 1 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Kickoff Event, time TBD, City Hall
Mon, Oct 5 CEDAW Women’s Human Rights Luncheon, 11:30 am – 2 pm, Julia Morgan Ballroom, The Merchants Exchange Building, 465 California Street
Fri, Oct 16 San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking Annual Conference: "Proven Strategies for Practitioners Combatting Human Trafficking," 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Phillip Burton Federal Building, 450 Golden Gate Avenue
Wed, Oct 28 Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking General Meeting, 1:30 – 3:30 pm,
City Hall Room 305
Commission Meeting, 4 – 6 pm, City Hall Room 408
Wed, Nov 18 Family Violence Council Meeting, 3 – 5 pm, 400 McAllister Street, Room 617
Fri, Nov 20 Commission Annual Planning Retreat, 9 am – 3 pm, location TBD
Wed, Dec 16 Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking General Meeting, 1:30 – 3:30 pm,
City Hall Room 305
Commission Meeting, *3 – 5 pm*, Room 408