Safe Voices

FY 2016 RURAL GRANT PROGRAM

OXFORD COUNTY RURAL PROJECT TO ENHANCE VICTIM SAFETY AND IMPROVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM'S RESPONSE

THE RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (RURAL PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 12341. RURAL PROGRAM FUNDS ARE USED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT: 1) IDENTIFY, ASSESS, AND APPROPRIATELY RESPOND TO CHILD, YOUTH, AND ADULT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES; 2) ESTABLISH AND EXPAND VICTIM SERVICES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES TO CHILD, YOUTH, AND ADULT VICTIMS; 3) INCREASE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, BY (A) DEALING DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, AND STALKING; AND (B) CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PREVENT THESE CRIMES; AND 4) DEVELOP, EXPAND, IMPLEMENT, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION OR SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAMS. GRANTEES MUST USE AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES IN IMPLEMENTING THEIR PROJECTS: 1) IMPLEMENT, EXPAND, AND ESTABLISH COOPERATIVE EFFORTS AND PROJECTS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING; 2) PROVIDE TREATMENT, COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM VICTIM AND POPULATION SPECIFIC SERVICES TO ADULT AND MINOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES; 3) WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP EDUCATION AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES DIRECTED TOWARD SUCH ISSUES; 4) DEVELOP, ENLARGE, OR STRENGTHEN PROGRAMS ADDRESSING SEXUAL ASSAULT; AND 5) DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES THAT FOCUS ON THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF WHO RESIDE IN REMOTE RURAL AND GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED AREAS. THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION OVW RURAL PROGRAM PROJECT, SAFE VOICES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAINE PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT III AND OXFORD COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, WILL IMPLEMENT OXFORD COUNTY RURAL GRANT PROJECT. THIS VICTIM SERVICE, PROSECUTION, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROJECT ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE AREAS: 1 AND 2 FOR OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 1) OFFERING COURT ADVOCACY ANDSUPPORT FOR VICTIMS INTERACTING WITH THE LEGAL SYSTEM; 2) OFFERING INDIVIDUALIZED SAFETY PLANNING AND ONGOING VICTIM SERVICES ANDSUPPORT; 3) OUTREACHING TO VICTIMS WHO FILE PROTECTION ORDERS; 4) OUTREACHING TO VICTIMS WHO ARE REFERRED FROM OXFORD COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE; 5) COORDINATING SERVICES FOR VICTIMS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO SUPPORTS ANDRESOURCES; 6) PROVIDING REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS OF SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED, VULNERABLE, LEP, ANDDISABLED POPULATIONS; 7) FACILITATING COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE BY REGULARLY CONVENING TEAM MEETINGS TO PARTICIPATE IN CASE REVIEWS AND ONGOING ASSESSMENT OF EFFICACY TO IDENTIFY, ASSESS, ANDAPPROPRIATELY RESPOND TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, ANDSEX TRAFFICKING; 8) FACILITATING HIGH-RISK RESPONSE TEAM MEETINGS FOR CASES IN WHICH THERE ARE INDICATORS OF HIGH LETHALITY RISK, TO COORDINATE EFFORTS TO SUPPORT VICTIMS, RAISE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ULTIMATELY WORK TO PREVENT HOMICIDE; AND 9) COORDINATING SERVICES,SUPPORTS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTION, VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS ANDOTHER PARTIES TO INVESTIGATE, ANDPROSECUTE INCIDENTS WHILE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICESYSTEM.

THE RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (RURAL PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. § 12341. RURAL PROGRAM FUNDS ARE USED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT: A) IDENTIFY, ASSESS, AND APPROPRIATELY RESPOND TO CHILD, YOUTH, AND ADULT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES; B) ESTABLISH AND EXPAND VICTIM SERVICES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES FOR CHILD, YOUTH, AND ADULT VICTIMS; AND/OR C) INCREASE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES BY DEALING DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING, AND CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PREVENT THESE CRIMES. GRANTEES MUST USE AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES IN IMPLEMENTING THEIR PROJECTS: A) IMPLEMENT, EXPAND, AND ESTABLISH COOPERATIVE EFFORTS AND PROJECTS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING; B) PROVIDE TREATMENT, COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER LONG- AND SHORT-TERM ASSISTANCE TO ADULT AND MINOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES; C) WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP EDUCATION AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES DIRECTED TOWARD SUCH ISSUES; D) DEVELOP, ENLARGE, OR STRENGTHEN PROGRAMS ADDRESSING SEXUAL ASSAULT; AND E) DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES THAT FOCUS ON THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF VICTIMS WHO RESIDE IN REMOTE RURAL AND GEOGRAPHICALLY ISOLATED AREAS.    THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

OXFORD COUNTY RURAL YOUTH OUTREACH PROJECT

THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS (LAV) GRANT PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 20121, IS INTENDED TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY AID VICTIMS (AGES 11 AND OLDER) OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR COMPREHENSIVE DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS IN LEGAL MATTERS RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THAT ABUSE OR VIOLENCE. LEGAL ASSISTANCE INCLUDES ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN: A) FAMILY, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, HOUSING MATTERS, CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE, OR PROTECTION OR STAY AWAY ORDER PROCEEDINGS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATTERS; B) CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND POST-TRIAL MATTERS (INCLUDING SENTENCING, PAROLE, AND PROBATION) THAT IMPACT THE VICTIMS SAFETY AND PRIVACY; C) ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, OR OTHER PROCESSES INTENDED TO PROMOTE VICTIM SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND AUTONOMY; AND D) POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PROCEEDINGS IN STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, OR TERRITORIAL COURT WHERE THE CONVICTION OF A VICTIM IS RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, OR SEX TRAFFICKING. 34 U.S.C. 12291(A)(24)(C). THE LAV GRANT PROGRAMS EXPANDING LEGAL SERVICES INITIATIVE (ELSI) IS INTENDED TO ENABLE ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO NOT CURRENTLY OFFER LEGAL SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING. THROUGH THIS NEW LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS EXPANDING LEGAL SERVICES INITIATIVE PROJECT, SAFE VOICES WILL PLAN AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM TO PROVIDE REPRESENTATION IN PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER CASES, CUSTODY CASES, DIVORCE CASES, AND OTHER FAMILY LAW CASES TO VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND/OR STALKING IN FRANKLIN AND OXFORD COUNTIES IN MAINE.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, AND MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS

THE GRANTS TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, AND SEX TRAFFICKING AGAINST CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM SUPPORTS COMPREHENSIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECTS THAT DEVELOP OR EXPAND PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, AND RESPONSE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, AND SEX TRAFFICKING, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR THEIR NON-ABUSING PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND LEGAL GUARDIANS. WITH THIS FUNDING, SAFE VOICES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAINE REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT NO. 56 AND MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT 52, WILL IMPLEMENT THE TRI-COUNTY YOUTH ADVOCACY AND PREVENTION PROJECT TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO CHILDREN AGES 5 19 THROUGHOUT ANDROSCOGGIN, FRANKLIN, AND OXFORD COUNTIES. SPECIFICALLY, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO: 1)INCREASE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH BY PROVIDING PREVENTION EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE SERVICE AREA; 2) ENHANCE THE SCOPE OF INTERVENTION SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO OR IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING, OR SEX TRAFFICKING; AND 3) IMPROVE COMMUNITYRESPONSE AND REFERRAL PROCESS. THE PROJECT PERIOD FOR THIS AWARD IS 24 MONTHS.

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM