Sepa Mujer Inc

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, SEPA MUJER, INC WILL PROVIDE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING, OR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN SUFFOLK COUNTY NEW YORK. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING STATUTORY CONSIDERATION:IMPROVE THE AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL SERVICES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS, BY FOCUSING 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF ITS GRANT ACTIVITIES ON SEXUAL ASSAULT LEGAL SERVICES. THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS WILL BE DEVELOPED DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD: FLYERS. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-GG-00304-LEGA.

THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS (LAV) GRANT (LAV) PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. § 20121, INCREASES THE AVAILABILITY OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR ADULT AND YOUTH VICTIMS 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 IN: A) FAMILY, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, HOUSING MATTERS, CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE, OR PROTECTION OR STAY AWAY ORDER PROCEEDINGS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATTERS; AND B) CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND POST-TRIAL MATTERS (E.G., SENTENCING, PAROLE, AND PROBATION) THAT IMPACT THE VICTIM’S SAFETY AND PRIVACY. LAV FUNDS PROJECTS THAT IMPLEMENT, EXPAND, AND/OR ESTABLISH THIS COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH (1) COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS; (2) EFFORTS BY ORGANIZATIONS WITH A DEMONSTRATED HISTORY OF PROVIDING DIRECT LEGAL OR ADVOCACY SERVICES ON BEHALF OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING; OR (3) COMPETENT SUPERVISED PRO BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE. GRANTEES MUST EITHER DEMONSTRATE EXPERTISE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND/OR STALKING, OR PARTNER WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SUCH EXPERTISE. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

THE GRANTS TO ENHANCE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 20124. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE MAINTENANCE AND REPLICATION OF EXISTING SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS PROVIDING CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING, AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS WHO FACE OBSTACLES TO USING MORE TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS. CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES MEANS COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THAT INCLUDE CULTURALLY RELEVANT AND LINGUISTICALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES AND RESOURCES TO CULTURALLY SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE STATUTORILY DEFINED AS AMERICAN INDIANS (INCLUDING ALASKA NATIVES, ESKIMOS, AND ALEUTS); ASIAN AMERICANS; NATIVE HAWAIIANS AND OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDERS; BLACKS; AND HISPANICS. PROJECTS MUST ADDRESS AT LEAST ONE OF THE PROGRAMS STATUTORY PURPOSE AREAS. THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SERVICES PROGRAM PROJECT, SEPA MUJER INCORPORATED WILL IMPLEMENT A PROJECT ADDRESSING THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE AREAS: INCREASING COMMUNITIES CAPACITY TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY SPECIFIC RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING CRIMES AND THEIR FAMILIES; ENHANCING TRADITIONAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP OF CULTURALLY SPECIFIC PROGRAMS OFFERING SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING; AND PROVIDING CULTURALLY SPECIFIC RESOURCES AND SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE SAFETY, ECONOMIC, HOUSING, AND WORKPLACE NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING, INCLUDING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR LATINE/HISPANIC YOUNG ADULTS IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING PRIORITY AREA: PRIORITY AREA 2 - STRENGTHENING EFFORTS TO PREVENT AND END SEXUAL ASSAULT. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: LEGAL AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, A 24 HOUR HOTLINE, HEALING CULTURAL CIRCLES, WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT, ADVOCACY, GROUP THERAPY, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, AND HOUSING AND FOOD ASSISTANCE.

THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 12351. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IS TO AID MINORS, ADULTS, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS, AS DEFINED BY 34 U.S.C. 12473(6), OR IN NEED OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OR OTHER HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AS A RESULT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING, AND FOR WHOM EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES OR OTHER CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE OR INSUFFICIENT. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS HOLISTIC, SURVIVOR-CENTERED APPROACHES TO PROVIDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES DESIGNED TO ENABLE A MINOR, AN ADULT, OR A DEPENDENT OF SUCH MINOR OR ADULT LOCATE AND SECURE PERMANENT HOUSING, SECURE EMPLOYMENT, AND INTEGRATE INTO A COMMUNITY. SEPA MUJER, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN LONG ISLAND, NY, AN URBAN REGION OF THE STATE. THE ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE 10 SCATTERED SITE RESIDENCES FOR 10 SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH PRIVATE LANDLORD HOUSING UNITS. SEPA MUJER WILL COLLABORATE WITH ITS THREE PARTNERS, THE LONG ISLAND COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, THE HEALTH AND WELFARE COUNCIL OF LONG ISLAND AND THE EASTERN SUFFOLK BOCES TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC, VICTIM-CENTERED AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS NEW PROJECT WILL USE FUNDS TO PROVIDE BOTH HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO MOVE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING WHO ARE HOMELESS OR IN NEED OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO PERMANENT HOUSING. THE PROJECT WILL ASSIST CLIENTS FOR AN ANTICIPATED MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM LENGTH OF 24 MONTHS. SERVICES OFFERED WILL FOCUS ON PRIMARILY SERVING UNDERSERVED HISPANIC, SPANISH-SPEAKING, IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS IN THE REGION. THE GRANT ACTIVITIES WILL BE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SURVIVORS. THE RANGE OF OPTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, CAREER COUNSELING, FINANCIAL LITERACY, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, JOB TRAINING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND IMMIGRATION REMEDIES. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO HIRE AN ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBER TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED.

CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM

THE FREEDOM PLAN

THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES CULTURALLY SPECIFIC PROGRAM (SAS CULTURALLY SPECIFIC PROGRAM) WAS CREATED BY THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005 (VAWA 2005), 34 U.S.C. § 12511(C), AND IS PART OF THE FIRST FEDERAL FUNDING STREAM SOLELY DEDICATED TO THE PROVISION OF DIRECT INTERVENTION AND RELATED ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. INTERVENTION AND RELATED ASSISTANCE INCLUDE ADVOCACY, ACCOMPANIMENT (E.G., ACCOMPANYING VICTIMS TO COURT, MEDICAL FACILITIES, POLICE DEPARTMENTS, ETC.), CRISIS INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES, AND REFERRALS, AMONG OTHER SERVICES. UNDER THIS PROGRAM, SUCH SERVICES MAY BE PROVIDED TO ADULT, YOUTH, AND CHILD VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS OF SUCH VICTIMS, AND THOSE COLLATERALLY AFFECTED BY THE VICTIMIZATION.    SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT FROM CULTURALLY SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES FREQUENTLY CONFRONT UNIQUE CHALLENGES WHEN SEEKING ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL BARRIERS. CULTURALLY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS ARE MORE LIKELY TO UNDERSTAND THESE CHALLENGES BECAUSE THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CULTURE, LANGUAGE, AND BACKGROUND OF VICTIMS FROM THEIR COMMUNITIES, WHO IN TURN ARE MORE INCLINED TO SEEK SERVICES FROM SUCH ORGANIZATIONS. THE GOAL OF THE SAS CULTURALLY SPECIFIC PROGRAM IS TO CREATE, MAINTAIN, AND EXPAND SUSTAINABLE SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES PROVIDED BY CULTURALLY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH SERVE A VITAL ROLE IN PROVIDING SERVICES THAT ARE RELEVANT FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES. GRANTEES MUST EITHER DEMONSTRATE EXPERTISE IN SEXUAL ASSAULT OR PARTNER WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SUCH EXPERTISE. CULTURALLY SPECIFIC IS STATUTORILY DEFINED AS ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING RACIAL AND ETHNIC COMMUNITIES: 1) AMERICAN INDIANS (INCLUDING ALASKA NATIVES, ESKIMOS, AND ALEUTS); 2) ASIAN AMERICANS; 3) NATIVE HAWAIIANS AND OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDERS; 4) BLACKS; AND 5) HISPANICS. SEE 34 U.S.C. §§ 12511(C)(2), 12291(A)(6), AND 42 U.S.C. § 300U-6(G)(1).

THRIVING LATINAS

THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT (AYUDA LATINA HOPE FUND) IS TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID SUCH AS RENTAL ASSISTANCE, FOOD GIFT CARDS, TRANSPORTATION, ETC. ON LONG ISLAND, NY. SEPA MUJER WILL ASSIST VICTIMS OF CRIME WHO ARE FACING HOUSING EMERGENCIES SUCH AS OWING RENT, FACING EVICTION, LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT, ETC. THESE RESOURCES WILL PROVIDE SHORT-TERM ASSISTANCE TO HELP CLIENTS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND WILL BE COUPLED WITH OTHER PROGRAMS THROUGH ALTERNATIVE FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT CLIENTS ACHIEVE STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.