Women Helping Women

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ENHANCEMENT RESPONSE TEAM (DVERT)

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN (WHW), THE ONLY COMMUNITY BASED, DUAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/SEXUAL ASSAULT (DV/SA) VICTIM SERVICE PROVIDER AND RAPE CRISIS CENTER WITHIN THE SERVICE AREA OF ADAMS, BROWN, BUTLER, AND HAMILTON COUNTIES, PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THE SURVIVOR SERVICES EXPANSION PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL RESTRUCTURE WOMEN HELPING WOMENS CURRENT STAFFING MODEL TO MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR CRISIS RESPONSE IN ADAMS, BROWN, BUTLER, AND HAMILTON COUNTIES, ALLOWING WHW TO RESTORE SAFETY, ATTEND TO TRAUMA, REDUCE RISK FOR FUTURE VICTIMIZATION, AND DISRUPT THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. UPON COMPLETION OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURING, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING WILL BE SERVED THROUGH 24-HOUR HOTLINE/TEXT/CHAT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, ON-SCENE RESPONSE, HOSPITAL ACCOMPANIMENT, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT GROUPS, LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVOCACY, CIVIL/CRIMINAL COURT ACCOMPANIMENT/ADVOCACY, AND LEGAL ADVOCACY FOR CUSTODY, DIVORCE, AND THE PURSUIT OF CRIMINAL CHARGES.

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN SEEKS TO CONTINUE RECEIVING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING GRANT TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE

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. WOMEN HELPING WOMEN IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN CINCINNATI, OHIO, AN URBAN REGION OF THE STATE. THE ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE 37 SCATTERED SITE RESIDENCES FOR 37 SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH PRIVATE LANDLORD HOUSING UNITS. WOMEN HELPING WOMEN WILL COLLABORATE WITH ITS 3 PARTNERS, CINCINNATI WORKS, HAMILTON COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES, AND BROWN COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES 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 EXPANDING ECONOMIC JUSTICE. THE GRANT ACTIVITIES WILL BE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SURVIVORS. THE RANGE OF OPTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING CREDIT AND ACCESSING PUBLIC BENEFITS, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, CASE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, AND HOUSING ADVOCACY. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO HIRE 2 ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED.

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.

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, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HAMILTON COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS, CITY OF CINCINNATI OFFICE OF THE CITY SOLICITOR, AND LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF GREATER CINCINNATI, WILL PROVIDECOURT ADVOCACY IN BOTH THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURTS, EXPANDCIVIL LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES, AND FACILITATETRAINING TO COURT PERSONNEL ON ISSUES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO IMPROVE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEMS ON CASES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING IN HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO. THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-22-GG-00242-JFFX.

THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM, AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 12351), HAS AS ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE THE PROVISION OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO AID MINORS, ADULTS, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS (AS DEFINED IN 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. THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS FOR WHOM EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES OR OTHER CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE OR INSUFFICIENT. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS VICTIM-CENTERED APPROACHES TO PROVIDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, SHORT-TERM HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AND VOLUNTARY SUPPORT SERVICES TO ASSIST WITH LOCATING AND SECURING PERMANENT HOUSING, OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT, AND INTEGRATING INTO A COMMUNITY. WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN WAILUKU, HI, WILL IMPLEMENT THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM THROUGH THE PROVISION OF VICTIM-CENTERED APPROACHES TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING NEEDS, IN COLLABORATION WITH CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE SCATTERED SITE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN AN URBAN REGION OF THE STATE. THIS CONTINUATION 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 SUPPORTING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF NON-INTIMATE PARTNER SEXUAL ASSAULT AND WILL BE TAILORED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS WHO ARE SERVED. THE RANGE OF OPTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES CRISIS AND HOUSING ADVOCACY, FINANCIAL AND EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, LEGAL ADVOCACY, COUNSELING, AND PARENTING SUPPORT. FOLLOW-UP SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED.

BRIDGES FOR WOMEN EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM

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 PROVIDE AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING WHO ARE HOMELESS, OR IN NEED OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OR OTHER HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AS A RESULT OF THEIR VICTIMIZATION, AND FOR WHOM EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES OR OTHER CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE OR INSUFFICIENT. A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL IS ONE WHO LACKS A FIXED, REGULAR, AND ADEQUATE NIGHTTIME RESIDENCE, AND INCLUDES AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SHARING THE HOUSING OF OTHER PERSONS DUE TO LOSS OF HOUSING, ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, OR A SIMILAR REASON. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS HOLISTIC, SURVIVOR-CENTERED APPROACHES TO PROVIDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES THAT MOVE INDIVIDUALS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND HELP THEM SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND INTEGRATE INTO A COMMUNITY. PROJECTS MUST PROVIDE: 1) TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND 2) SUPPORT SERVICES (TO INCLUDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES) TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING MODELS INCLUDE: COMMUNAL/SHARED FAMILY LIVING SPACES, CLUSTERED/INDIVIDUAL FAMILY CO-LOCATED SPACES AND SCATTERED SITE/INDIVIDUAL FAMILY SPACES INDEPENDENTLY LOCATED. PROJECTS MUST OFFER A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS AND MAXIMUM 24 MONTHS OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE. SUPPORT SERVICES CAN BE A WIDE RANGE OF SURVIVOR-CENTERED VOLUNTARY SERVICES FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING SURVIVORS AND ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACED BY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION, RELIGION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, RACE, ETHNICITY AND SPECIAL NEEDS (SUCH AS LANGUAGE BARRIERS, DISABILITIES, ALIENAGE STATUS, OR AGE). EXAMPLES OF SURVIVOR-CENTERED VOLUNTARY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE: RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, CAREER COUNSELING, FINANCIAL AND CREDIT COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, JOB TRAINING, EDUCATION ATTAINMENT, LIMITED LEGAL ASSISTANCE (REGARDING HOUSING, PROTECTION ORDERS, AND LIMITED IMMIGRATION MATTERS THAT AFFECT A VICTIM’S ABILITY TO OBTAIN HOUSING), AND OTHER ASSISTANCE. PROJECTS ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A COMPENSATED PARTNERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE CONSISTENT QUALITY OF SERVICE. ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED, SURVIVOR-CENTERED VOLUNTARY FOLLOW-UP SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO SURVIVORS FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM OF 12 MONTHS.

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN (WHW) PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF CRIME BY ADDRESSING GAPS IN ACCESS TO HOUSING FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING, AND THEIR CHILDREN IN THE FOUR-COUNTY SERVICE AREA OF HAMILTON COUNTY; BUTLER COUNTY; BROWN COUNTY; AND ADAMS COUNTY IN OHIO. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOUSING FIRST MODEL (DVHF) WHICH IS EMPIRICALLY PROVEN TO SIGNIFICANTLY EMPOWER SURVIVORS TO ACHIEVE STABLE HOUSING WITH LONG-TERM SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. THE DVHF MODEL RELIES ON SURVIVOR-DRIVEN HOUSING-INCLUSIVE ADVOCACY AND FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, EVICTION PREVENTION, AND OTHER RELATED EXPENSES. SURVIVORS WILL BE SUPPORTED BY WHW COMPREHENSIVE RAPID-RESPONSE SERVICES AND WILL RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM TRAUMA-INFORMED ADVOCATES TO MAINTAIN HOUSING, CREATE SAFETY PLANS, AND ACCESS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WRAPAROUND SERVICES. WHW ENGAGES OVER 30 LANDLORDS, AND THROUGH THIS GRANT PROGRAM WILL EXTEND OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY TO AN ADDITIONAL 20 LANDLORDS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: 2 SURVIVORS/HOUSEHOLDS PER MONTH WILL RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSING-RELATED COSTS, AND 95% OF SURVIVORS WILL EITHER SECURE HOUSING OR REMAIN STABLY HOUSED DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD; 94% OF SURVIVORS WILL INDICATE THAT THEIR NEEDS WERE MET, THAT THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND HOW TO PLAN FOR THEIR SAFETY, AND WILL DEVELOP A PLAN FOR SAFETY; AND 20 ADDITIONAL LANDLORDS WILL ENGAGE AND BE TRAINED THROUGH OUTREACH EFFORTS. ADVOCATES TRACK THE NUMBER OF SURVIVORS, THE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED, AND HOW THE ASSISTANCE WAS USED TO SUPPORT THE SURVIVOR, AS WELL AS SURVIVOR DEMOGRAPHICS. THE BASELINE WILL BE DETERMINED BASED ON A 12-MONTH RETROSPECTIVE OF HOUSING-RELATED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY WHW. THE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT SURVIVORS IN WHW FIVE-COUNTY SERVICE AREA WHICH SPANS OVER 2,419 SQUARE MILES IN SOUTHWEST OHIO, AND INCLUDES URBAN, SUBURBAN, AND RURAL AREAS. THERE ARE 1,485,362 PEOPLE LIVING IN THESE COUNTIES, OF WHICH 50.48% ARE WOMEN. WITHIN THE SERVICE AREA, 28% OF THE POPULATION IDENTIFIES AS A PERSON OF COLOR, YET 40% OF SURVIVORS SERVED BY WHW IN 2023 IDENTIFIED AS A PERSON OF COLOR, AND BLACK SURVIVORS MADE UP 32% OF SURVIVORS BUT ONLY 17% OF THE POPULATION. IN OHIO, APPROXIMATELY 64% OF UNMET REQUESTS FOR SERVICES BY SURVIVORS ARE RELATED TO EMERGENCY SHELTER AND HOUSING; THIS PROJECT IS INTENDED TO CLOSE THE GAP IN HOUSING-RELATED SERVICES FOR THESE SURVIVORS IN THE SERVICE REGION.