OFFERING LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY

FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES RESOLUTION NO. 2026082 RE: OFFERING LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY Legislators ARNOFF, VALDÉS SMITH, ATKINS, MUNN, ALEXANDER, BRENDLI, DRAGO, KAUL, KEARNEY, LAWLER, REDL, RHODES, SHAH and WINSBY offer the following and move its immediate adoption: WHEREAS, in Dutchess County, all 17 law enforcement jurisdictions have implemented the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), and the County has seen firsthand the lifesaving impact of this approach; and WHEREAS, Dutchess County experienced a sharp rise in domestic violence homicides between 2010 and 2013, with 14 deaths during that four-year period, including intimate partners, children, family members, and a responding police officer; and WHEREAS, in response, Dutchess County began implementing the LAP in 2014, and since then the program has expanded countywide due to its demonstrated effectiveness; and WHEREAS, in 2025 alone, 1,545 LAP screenings were conducted in Dutchess County, of which 688 individuals were identified as being at high danger for domestic violence homicide; and WHEREAS, nineteen of those cases were determined to be at the highest level of risk and were referred to the Dutchess County High Risk Team for intensive intervention, including advocacy, safety planning, case management, and a coordinated criminal justice response; and WHEREAS, in 2024, Dutchess County further strengthened its model under the oversight of the Universal Response to Domestic Violence Steering Committee by updating the screening tool and associated training to reflect current research around stalking and strangulation; and WHEREAS, research shows that victims who experience strangulation by an intimate partner are 750 percent more likely to be killed by that partner; and WHEREAS, the LAP ensures that high-risk victims are not only identified but are also immediately connected with trained advocates at the scene; and WHEREAS, this connection is critical, as victims who engage with advocacy services are significantly less likely to be killed and more likely to participate in the criminal justice process, resulting in improved outcomes, increased offender accountability, and enhanced safety for victims, law enforcement, and the community; and WHEREAS, elected officials in Dutchess County work alongside, oversee, and legislate on matters affecting law enforcement, and therefore should understand the Lethality Assessment Program and how it operates; and FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES WHEREAS, many elected officials also work with and encounter victims of domestic violence and should have the tools and training necessary to support those individuals effectively; WHEREAS, the Lethality Assessment Program is a structured, evidence-based tool administered by trained law enforcement personnel and domestic violence advocates, and is not intended for use by individuals outside of those professional roles; and WHEREAS, many elected officials also work with and encounter victims of domestic violence and should have the tools and training necessary to understand the complexities of domestic violence and know where and how to refer individuals to the appropriate community resources. and WHEREAS, elected officials are not service providers and do not perform crisis intervention or lethality assessments, but may benefit from training to increase awareness of risk factors and to facilitate appropriate referrals to qualified professionals; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the scope of duties of the Universal Response to Domestic Violence Committee shall be expanded to provide training to elected officials in Dutchess County; and be it further RESOLVED, that all elected officials in Dutchess County shall be offered LAP assessment training by the Universal Response to Domestic Violence Committee, to increase awareness and understanding of domestic violence, enhance recognition of high-risk indicators, and ensure appropriate referral to qualified law enforcement and victim advocacy services, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Universal Response to Domestic Violence Committee shall include in its annual report to the legislature, the number of elected officials who participate in such trainings; and be it further RESOLVED, that this training shall be offered twice annually in the Legislative Chambers. APPROVED Susan Serurs SUSAN J. SERINO COUNTY EXECUTIVE STATE OF NEW YORK Do May 19, 3026 COUNTY OF DUTCHESS This is to certify that I, the undersigned Clesk of the Legislature of the County of Dutchess, have compared the foregoing resolution with the original resolution now on file in the office of said clerk, and which was adopted by said Legislature on the 202L and that the same is a truc and correct transcript of said original resolution and of the whole thereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOR, I have hererunto sct my hand and seal of said Legislature this day of Lenn 2020. JULIASHTROISITI, CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE Roll Call Sheets District Present: Absent: Vacant: Last Name YES District 16 - Fishkill and Beacon Valdés Smith District 9 - City of Poughkeepsie Atkins District 20 - Red Hook, Tivoli, and Rhinebeck Munn District 3 - LaGrange Polasek District 12 - East Fishkill Metzger District 1 - Town of Poughkeepsie Redl District 2 - LaGrange, Pleasant Valley & Town of Poughkeepsie Arnoff District 4 - Hyde Park and Town of Poughkeepsie Lawler District 5 - Town of Poughkeepsie Shah District 6 - Town of Poughkeepsie Kaul District 7 - Hyde Park and Pleasant Valley Darrow District 8 - City and Town of Poughkeepsie Brendli District 10 - City of Poughkeepsie Johnson District 11 - Clinton, Pleasant Valley, and Rhinebeck Kearney District 13 - East Fishkill and Wappinger Giles District 14 - Wappinger and Town of Poughkeepsie Winsby District 15 - Wappinger Faust District 17 - Town and Village of Fishkill McHoul District 18 - City of Beacon and Fishkill Rhodes District 19 - North East, Stanford, Pine Plains, Milan & Red Hook Drago District 21 - East Fishkill Caswell District 22 - Beekman and Union Vale Tresca District 23 - Pawling, Beekman and East Fishkill Rolison District 24 - Dover and Pawling District 25 - Amenia, Washington, Pleasant Valley & Millbrook Alexander 24 1 Resolution: _ House Total : Motion: 24 Yes Abstentions: _ NO Absent No 2026082 OFFERING LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT NO FISCAL IMPACT PROJECTED APPROPRIATION RESOLUTIONS (To be completed by the requesting department) Total Current Year Cost $ 0 ______________________________________________ Total Current Year Revenue $ and Source _______________________________________________ Source of County Funds (check one): Existing Appropriations Additional Appropriations Identify Line Item(s): Contingency Other (explain) Transfer of Existing Appropriations Related Expenses: Amount $ Nature/Reason: __________ Anticipated Savings to County: ________________________ Net County Cost (this year): Over Five Years: __________ ___________________ Are there any costs associated with this resolution that impact any cities, towns, or villages within Dutchess County? _____ (If YES, detail below or include on a separate sheet.) Additional Comments / Explanation: Prepared by: Emma Arnoff ______________________ Prepared On: 6/23/26 ___________ 2026/V2 Family and Human Services Committee Roll Call District Name District 16 - Fishkill and Beacon Valdés Smith* District 9- City of Poughkepsie Atkins Atkins* District 20 - Red Hook, Tivoli, and Rhinebeck Munn* Yes District 3 - LaGrange Polasek* District 12 - East Fishkill Metzger* District 2 - LaGrange, Pleasant Valley & Town of Poughkeepsie Arnoff (C) District 19 - North East, Stanford, Pine Plains, Milan & Red Hook Drago District 24 - Dover and Pawling House District 6 - Town of Poughkeepsie Kaul (VC) District 17 - Town and Village of Fishkill McHoul District 5 - Town of Poughkeepsie Shah District 14 - Wappinger and Town of Poughkeepsie Winsby Present: Absent: Vacant: 11 1 Resolution: Motion: Total : 11 Yes Abstentions: No ABSENT No 2026082 OFFERING LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY Roll Call Sheets District Last Name YES NO District 16 - Fishkill and Beacon Valdés Smith District 9 - City of Poughkeepsie Atkins District 20 - Red Hook, Tivoli, and Rhinebeck Munn District 3 - LaGrange Polasek District 12 - East Fishkill Metzger District 1 - Town of Poughkeepsie Redl District 2 - LaGrange, Pleasant Valley & Town of Poughkeepsie Arnoff District 4 - Hyde Park and Town of Poughkeepsie Lawler District 5 - Town of Poughkeepsie Shah District 6 - Town of Poughkeepsie Kaul District 7 - Hyde Park and Pleasant Valley Darrow District 8 - City and Town of Poughkeepsie Brendli District 10 - City of Poughkeepsie Johnson District 11 - Clinton, Pleasant Valley, and Rhinebeck Kearney District 13 - East Fishkill and Wappinger Giles District 14 - Wappinger and Town of Poughkeepsie Winsby District 15 - Wappinger Faust District 17 - Town and Village of Fishkill McHoul District 18 - City of Beacon and Fishkill Rhodes District 19 - North East, Stanford, Pine Plains, Milan & Red Hook Drago District 21 - East Fishkill Caswell District 22 - Beekman and Union Vale Tresca District 23 - Pawling, Beekman and East Fishkill Rolison District 24 - Dover and Pawling House District 25 - Amenia, Washington, Pleasant Valley & Millbrook Alexander X X X X X X X X X X X X ABSENT X X X X X X X X X X X X 24 Present: ____ 1 Absent: ____ Vacant: ____ Resolution: ____ Motion: ____ 24 Total : ______ ______ Yes No Abstentions: ____ 2026082 OFFERING LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM TO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY