Center For Law & Justice Inc

LAV 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). THROUGH THIS NEW LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT, LOS ANGELES CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES IN PROTECTION ORDER HEARINGS, FAMILY LAW CASES, VICTIM COMPENSATION AND RESTITUTION MATTERS, PUBLIC BENEFITS CASES, HOUSING CASES, PRIVACY RIGHTS MATTERS, PETITIONS FOR POST-CONVICTION RELIEF, AND TITLE IX ACTIONS TO VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND/OR STALKING IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING STATUTORY CONSIDERATION: IMPROVE THE AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL SERVICES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS BY FOCUSING AT LEAST 80% OF SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS WILL BE DEVELOPED DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD: PRINTED OUTREACH MATERIALS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE PROJECT AMONG VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS AND TRAINING MATERIALS TO USE WITH PROJECT PERSONNEL.

TRAUMA-INFORMED COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

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 CONTINUATION JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROJECT, THE LA CENTER FOR LAW & JUSTICE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT (LASC), WILL CONTINUE THECOMMUNITY INTAKE CENTER'S EFFORTSTO ASSIST APPROXIMATELY 200 VICTIMS WITH FILING RESTRAINING ORDERS; STAFF A RESOURCE HUB HELPLINE DURING COURT HOURS TO CONNECT AT LEAST 1,000 CALLERS TO LEGAL RESOURCES AND EXPEDITE ACCESS TO SERVICES; AND RECRUIT AND TRAIN 200 PRO BONO ATTORNEYS TO COMPLETE ACCURATE PETITIONS AND ASSIST SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS SEEKING PROTECTION FROM THE COURT IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-GG-00228-JFFX.

TRAUMA-INFORMED COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

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 ADULT AND YOUTH (AGES 11 TO 24) VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING, OR SEXUAL ASSAULT 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 IS ASSISTANCE IN: A) DIVORCE, PARENTAL RIGHTS, CHILD SUPPORT, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL, IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY, HOUSING, CAMPUS, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, PRIVACY, CONTRACT, CONSUMER, CIVIL RIGHTS, PROTECTION OR OTHER INJUNCTIVE PROCEEDINGS, RELATED ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATTERS; B) CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTIGATIONS, PROSECUTIONS, AND POST-CONVICTION MATTERS (INCLUDING SENTENCING, PAROLE, AND PROBATION) THAT IMPACT THE VICTIMS SAFETY, PRIVACY, OR OTHER INTERESTS AS A VICTIM; C) ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, OR OTHER PROCESSES INTENDED TO PROMOTE VICTIM SAFETY, PRIVACY, AND AUTONOMY, AND OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY, REGARDLESS OF COURT INVOLVEMENT; OR D) POST-CONVICTION RELIEF PROCEEDINGS IN STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, OR TERRITORIAL COURT WITH RESPECT TO A CONVICTION OF A VICTIM RELATING TO OR ARISING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, OR SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMIZATION OF THE VICTIM. THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT, LOS ANGELES CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DOWNTOWN WOMENS CENTER, EAST LOS ANGELES WOMENS CENTER, CENTRAL BUREAU FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER, STRENGTH UNITED, THE WALL-LAS MEMORIAS PROJECT, AND YWCA GREATER LOS ANGELES, WILL PROVIDE ADVICE/COUNSEL AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN VARIOUS MATTERS SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CIVIL HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDER APPLICATIONS, CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY (E.G., ACCOMPANIMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERVIEWS OR ENSURING VICTIM ACCOMMODATIONS), REPRESENTATION IN IMMIGRATION MATTERS (E.G., U- AND T-VISAS OR VAWA), AND FAMILY LAW ISSUES (E.G., DISSOLUTION, PATERNITY, AND CHILD CUSTODY/VISITATION/SUPPORT) TO UNDERSERVED LOW-INCOME SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS PRIORITY AREA 2: INCREASING LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, WITH LEGAL SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF NON-INTIMATE PARTNER SEXUAL ASSAULT COMPRISING AT LEAST 80% OF FUNDED ACTIVITIES. PROJECT PARTNERS WILL DETERMINE THE NEED FOR DEVELOPING SPECIFIC PRODUCTS AFTER AN INITIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT IS CONDUCTED FOLLOWING THE FIRST QUARTERLY PROJECT MEETING.

CALIFORNIA LEGAL ACCESS FOR SURVIVORS PARTNERSHIP (CLASP)

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. ALL PROJECTS UNDER THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM MUST ADDRESS SUPERVISED VISITATION OR COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS.  IF A PROJECT IS ADDRESSING SUPERVISED VISITATION, IT MUST ALSO INCLUDE ACTIVITIES UNDER AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL PURPOSE AREA, SUCH AS CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES, COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS, OR TRAINING WITHIN THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM. COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MAY BE ADDRESSED ON THEIR OWN. PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM FOCUS ON KEEPING VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN SAFE FROM FURTHER ABUSE AND HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE. ALL JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM PROJECTS MUST INCLUDE FORMAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH BOTH A NONPROFIT, NONGOVERNMENTAL, OR TRIBAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDER AND A COURT.   THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES AND ADVOCACY TO YOUNG SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

PROJECT CAUSE

LOS ANGELES CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE (LACLJ) HAS SERVED CRIME VICTIMS SINCE 1973 AND HAS FOCUSED ON VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING SINCE THE 1990S. TRAUMA VICTIMS HAVE ENDURED CREATES BARRIERS TO CRIME REPORTING AND JUSTICE ACCESS, AND LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND DISABILITIES OFTEN INTENSIFY ACCESS BARRIERS.   PURPOSE AND POPULATION/GEOGRAPHIC AREA SERVED—LACLJ WILL ACHIEVE TWO PRIMARY PROJECT GOALS: 1) INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF VICTIM-CENTERED, TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES WHILE REMOVING ACCESS BARRIERS AND 2) STRENGTHEN REFERRAL NETWORKS/COLLABORATIVE APPROACHES TO SUPPORTING CRIME VICTIMS WITH ACCESS BARRIERS. THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS BARRIERS THAT INCLUDE LEP, DEAFNESS/HEARING IMPAIRMENT, BLINDNESS/VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, AND/OR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES. LACLJ WILL SERVE CLIENTS RESIDING IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY CALIFORNIA WHO ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND/OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING. CLIENTS WILL BE FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND, IN ADDITION TO FACING COMMON JUSTICE ACCESS BARRIERS (E.G., POVERTY AND ISOLATION), WILL HAVE ACCESS BARRIERS AS A RESULT OF LEP AND/OR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES. MANY WILL ALSO FACE BARRIERS RELATED TO IMMIGRATION STATUS SINCE 58% OF LACLJ CLIENTS ARE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES—LACLJ WILL PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATED OVC PROGRAM GOALS/OBJECTIVES: 1) DELIVER CULTURALLY-RELEVANT SERVICES TO VICTIMS WITH ACCESS BARRIERS; 2) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT DISABILITY AND LANGUAGE ACCESS PLANS; 3) COLLABORATE WITH OVC’S DESIGNATED TTA PROVIDER TO TRAIN STAFF AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN USING BEST PRACTICES TO SERVE VICTIMS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH ACCESS BARRIERS; AND 4) ENSURE SERVICE DELIVERY IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE REVIEWING/MODIFYING PROCESSES/PROCEDURES AND COMMUNICATIONS/MESSAGING TO ENSURE OPTIMAL ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL VICTIMS; DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING TRAINING FOR LACLJ STAFF ON IDENTIFYING AND RESOLVING ACCESS BARRIERS WHILE EMPLOYING BEST PRACTICES IN VICTIM-CENTERED, TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES; DEVELOPING AN LACLJ CLIENT ADVISORY BOARD TO ENSURE VICTIM INPUT IN SERVICE DESIGN; CONDUCTING PROJECT EVALUATION FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT; CONNECTING VICTIMS WITH ACCESS BARRIERS TO APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT SUPPLEMENT LEGAL SERVICES; AND TRAINING COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO IMPROVE IDENTIFICATION/RESOLUTION OF ACCESS BARRIERS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES—PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: 1) STAFF WILL HAVE/USE IMPROVED SYSTEMS, TOOLS, AND PROCESSES TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY; COMMUNICATIONS WILL USE TRAUMA-INFORMED AND ADAPTIVE COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES; TRAININGS SUPPORT STAFF AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN DELIVERING VICTIM-CENTERED, TRAUMA-INFORMED SERVICES FOR VICTIMS WITH ACCESS BARRIERS; VICTIM INSIGHTS ENHANCE SERVICE PROVISION; EVALUATION SUSTAINS CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT; AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE GREATER CAPACITY TO IDENTIFY ACCESS BARRIERS AND MORE APPROPRIATELY CROSS-REFER VICTIMS FOR SERVICES.

THE TRAINING AND SERVICES TO END VIOLENCE AND ABUSE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND DEAF PEOPLE GRANT PROGRAM (DISABILITY PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 20122. THE GOAL OF THE DISABILITY PROGRAM IS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE WITHIN AND BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS THAT IMPROVES THE RESPONSE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND DEAF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING, AND TO HOLD PERPETRATORS OF SUCH CRIMES ACCOUNTABLE. THE DISABILITY PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER DISABILITY ORGANIZATIONS AND VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDERS TO WORK IN A COLLABORATIVE MANNER AT THE INTERSECTION OF DISABILITY AND DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE. CONTINUATION GRANTEES ARE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT ACTIVITIES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THE PREVIOUS AWARD BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO BE ADDRESSED DURING THAT INITIAL PROJECT PERIOD. CONTINUATION GRANTEES MAY PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES IF THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED THE INITIATIVES THAT ENSURE THAT SURVIVORS WITH DISABILITIES AND DEAF SURVIVORS WILL RECEIVE SAFE, CONFIDENTIAL, AND APPROPRIATE SERVICES. THE LOS ANGELES CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE WILL COLLABORATE WITH EAST LOS ANGELES WOMEN'S CENTER, MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY SERVICES, AND VIA CARE TO STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS AND MAINTAIN OR ENHANCE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATIVE TEAM (TEAM); INCREASE ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE, SAFE, AND EFFECTIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND DEAF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE; IDENTIFY NEEDS WITHIN THE GRANTEE'S ORGANIZATION AND/OR SERVICE AREA; AND DEVELOP A PLAN THAT ADDRESSES THOSE IDENTIFIED NEEDS AND BUILDS A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE WORK. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE TEAM IS TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES THAT ARE COMMON AMONG SURVIVORS DUE TO OR WORSENED BY THE TRAUMAS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. TO ADDRESS THIS, THE TEAM, IDENTIFYING AS THE COLLABORATIVE FOR ACCESS AND UNDERSTANDING FOR SURVIVORS IN EAST L.A. (CAUSE), WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE INTERAGENCY REFERRAL PROCESS AND PROVIDE DIRECT LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVORS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES REFERRED THROUGH THE COLLABORATIVE. LEGAL ASSISTANCE WILL INCLUDE ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT WHO ARE ALSO VICTIMS OF SEVERE FORMS OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. THE TEAM WILL ALSO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH MATERIALS FOR SURVIVORS, CONDUCT OUTREACH WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, AND CREATE TRAININGS TO COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS ON RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS. LASTLY, THE TEAM WILL DEVELOP FURTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO EXPAND THE WORK OF CAUSE.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS