Family Violence Project

SOMERSET HOUSE HEALTHY RECOVERY PROGRAM, A SHELTER FOR WOMEN WHO ARE AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ADDICTION ISSUES

SOMERSET HOUSE HEALTHY RECOVERY PROGRAM

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). THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT, FAMILY VIOLENCE PROJECT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PINE TREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, WILL PROVIDE REPRESENTATION IN FAMILY LAW AND PROTECTION ORDER CASES TO VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND/OR STALKING IN KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MAINE. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-21-GG-00354-LEGA.

SOMERSET HOUSE HEALTHY RECOVERY PROGRAM

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 BY ENCOURAGING COLLABORATION AMONG VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, PROSECUTORS, COURTS, OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICE PROVIDERS, HUMAN AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS; 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 NEW OVW RURAL PROGRAM PROJECT, FAMILY VIOLENCE PROJECT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT CRISIS & SUPPORT CENTER (SACSC), WILL IMPLEMENT THE STRENGTH IN UNITY PROGRAM. THIS VICTIM SERVICE PROJECT ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE AREAS: 1 AND 3 FOR KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES IN MAINE. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 1) SERVING 35 CHILD OF VICTIMS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE; 2) PROVIDING 12 EDUCATIONAL CLASSES TO PARENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE AND/OR ASSAULT ON THE IMPACT FOR CHILDREN; 3) ATTENDING 24 COUNTY CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT (CAN) PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETINGS; 4) DEVELOPING GENERAL BROCHURES AND MARKETING MATERIALS TRANSLATED INTO APPLICABLE LANGUAGES; 5) ENTERING A 12-MONTH PLANNING PERIOD WITH SACSC TO CREATE POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NEW COLLABORATION; 6) ATTENDING 30 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS; 7) PROVIDING 30 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND 10 CO-FACILITATED EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ANNUALLY; 8) ACCOMPANYING 30 INDIVIDUALS TO OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS FOR SUPPORT; 9) PROVIDING TWO SUPPORT GROUPS ANNUALLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ASSAULT; AND 10) CONDUCTING UP TO 50 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ASSAULT. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY AREAS PRIORITY AREA 2: PREVENT AND END SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

THE GRANTS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM PROGRAM (REFERRED TO AS THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM) WAS AUTHORIZED IN THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2013 TO IMPROVE THE RESPONSE OF THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FAMILIES WITH A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING, OR IN CASES INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES FOR IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF COURTS AND COMMUNITIES TO RESPOND TO FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE TARGETED CRIMES: COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS; SUPERVISED VISITATION AND SAFE EXCHANGE BY AND BETWEEN PARENTS; TRAINING FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH FAMILIES IN THE COURT SYSTEM; CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES; AND THE PROVISION OF RESOURCES IN JUVENILE COURT MATTERS. PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM ARE THOSE THAT FOCUS ON KEEPING VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN SAFE FROM FURTHER ABUSE AND HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE. THROUGH THIS NEW JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROJECT, THE FAMILY VIOLENCE PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAINE DISTRICT COURTS OF AUGUSTA, WATERVILLE, AND SKOWHEGAN, WILL ENHANCE INTERNAL PROTOCOLS FOR THE SPECIALIZED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOCKET; IMPLEMENT OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY SERVICES; FURTHER DEVELOP PROTOCOLS FOR ENHANCED PARTNER CONTACT AND SAFETY PLANNING; CREATE A SECURE DATABASE FOR THE OFFENDER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM; CONDUCT OUTREACH TO FACILITATE IMPROVED ACCESS FOR SURVIVORS TO THE COURT SYSTEM; AND PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT COURT PROCESSES TO SURVIVORS RURAL KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES LOCATED IN CENTRAL MAINE. THIS PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING STATUTORY CONSIDERATION: COORDINATED SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITY APPROACH TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT CASES.

RURAL MAINE LEGAL SUPPORT INITIATIVE