Georgia Legal Services Program Inc

GLSP'S PROJECT TO PROMOTE RURAL SURVIVOR SAFETY

GEORGIA ENROLL

GLSP'S PROJECT TO PROMOTE RURAL SURVIVOR SAFETY

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS (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) AND (D). THROUGH THIS CONTINUATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS PROJECT, GEORGIA LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RAPE RESPONSE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE CENTER, WILL PROVIDE DIRECT, HOLISTIC, CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND STALKING IN THE 40 COUNTIES SERVED BY THE GEORGIA LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM GAINESVILLE AND AUGUSTA REGIONAL OFFICES. LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE CASES RELATED TO PROTECTIVE ORDERS, DIVORCE, CUSTODY, VISITATION, CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT, AS WELL AS CASES AND ASSISTANCE REQUIRED TO SECURE OTHER FINANCIAL BENEFITS. THIS AWARD IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-21-GG-00360-LEGA.

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. WITH THIS NEW RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROJECT, GEORGIA LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WOMEN IN NEED OF GODS SHELTER AND PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS COUNCIL, WILL IMPLEMENT A VICTIM SERVICES PROJECTTO STRENGTHEN EFFORTS TO PREVENT AND END SEXUAL ASSAULT FOR 30 COUNTIES IN MIDDLE GEORGIA. FUNDING FROM THIS AWARD WILL ALLOW THE PROJECT TO MAKE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE TO SURVIVORS; STRENGTHEN TRAININGS AND EDUCATION ON TOPICS SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURT OFFICIALS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS; AND COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL AND STATE AGENCIES ALREADY IN PLACE TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE CCR IN THE TARGETED RURAL AREAS TO PROVIDE SAFETY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR SURVIVORS. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE HIRING TWO RURAL NAVIGATORS, WHO WILL: 1) PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE AND TRAUMA-INFORMED SCREENING FOR SURVIVORS; 2) DIRECT THEM TO AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY; 3) ASSIST IN APPLYING FOR AND ACCESSING ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE; AND 4) EDUCATE AND COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE COURTS, STATEWIDE AND LOCAL AGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE TIMING FOR PERFORMANCE OF THIS AWARD IS 36 MONTHS.

PROJECT TO PROMOTE RURAL VICTIM SAFETY

GLSP'S LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVOR'S PROJECT

VA IS PROVIDING FUNDING TO ASSIST WITH THE COSTS TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE VETERANS AND PARTICIPANTS

RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE GRANTS

VITA TAX ASSISTANCE AND FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM

RURAL HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT