Domestic Violence Action Center

FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES

FY13 ANNOUNCEMENT OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR PHASE III OF THE COALITION FOR A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY PROGRAM

SAFE, STRONG AND SOBER PROJECT - INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PREGNANT OR POSTPARTUM ARE VULNERABLE TO IPV. SURVIVORS OF IPV ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF ENGAGING IN RISKY BEHAVIORS, INCLUDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. RIVERA ET AL. (2015) REPORTED THAT ACROSS SEVERAL STUDIES, A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF WOMEN - ANYWHERE FROM 47% TO 90% - IN TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (SUD) EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL AND/OR SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION FROM AN INTIMATE PARTNER. THE NATIONAL CENTER ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TRAUMA, AND MENTAL HEALTH (NCDVTMH) FOUND THAT SURVIVORS OF IPV MAY USE SUBSTANCES FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS (ZAPATA-ALMA, 2020). THEY MAY BE INTRODUCED TO THE SUBSTANCE BY THEIR ABUSER. SUBSTANCE USE COERCION IS A TACTIC USED BY ABUSERS TO MAKE THE VICTIM DEPENDENT ON THE SUBSTANCE AND THUS, ON THE ABUSER. SURVIVORS MAY USE SUBSTANCES AS A COPING MECHANISM, ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF CONTINUAL TRAUMA AND HARM. SUBSTANCES ALLOW THE SURVIVOR TO NUMB THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HARM. THIS NUMBING ALSO HELPS THE SURVIVOR AVOID SEEKING MEDICAL CARE FOR PHYSICAL PAIN OR INJURY INFLICTED BY THE ABUSER, FOR WHICH THE SURVIVOR MAY BE TOO ASHAMED TO SEEK TREATMENT. FOR SOME SURVIVORS, USING SUBSTANCES WITH THE ABUSER IS AN ATTEMPT AT CONNECTION, WHICH THE SURVIVOR MAY HOPE PREVENTS THE ABUSER FROM INFLICTING MORE PAIN (ZAPATA-ALMA, 2020). THE WORK TO ADDRESS THIS INTERSECTION HAS BEEN UNDEVELOPED IN HAWAII. PATIENTS IN PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM CARE CAN BE SUPPORTED IN THE COMMUNITY WITH A FOCUSED EFFORT. THIS APPLICATION REFLECTS THE COLLABORATIVE INTENTION TO TRAIN, EDUCATE, IMPROVE SCREENING, STRENGTHEN PROTOCOLS AND PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO WOMEN AT RISK FOR PARTNER ABUSE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND HEALTH CONDITIONS RELATED TO PREGNANCY AND THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD. WITH THE ENGAGEMENT OF PROGRAMS STATEWIDE MOMS, PREGNANT WOMEN, SURVIVORS AND SUBSTANCE USERS CAN BECOME WHOLE, FEEL SUPPORTED AND DEVELOP PROTECTIVE PARENTING ASSETS.

FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES PROGRAM

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 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTION CENTER, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HAWAII STATE JUDICIARY FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WILL IMPLEMENT A STANDARD PROJECT ADDRESSING THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE AREAS: 3) TRAINING FOR COURT-BASED AND COURT-RELATED PERSONNEL; 5) COURT AND COURT-BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES; AND 6) CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU, HI. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS PROJECT INCLUDE: 1) SUPPORTING A 1.0 FTE ADVOCATE TO PROVIDE CRITICAL SERVICES TO PETITIONERS AND SURVIVOR RESPONDENTS AT BOTH STAGES OF THE PROTECTION ORDER PROCESS (EX PARTE AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE HEARINGS) AND OTHER VICTIM ADVOCACY AND SAFETY PLANNING; 2) SUPPORTING 1.0 FTE STAFF ATTORNEY TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; AND 3) COORDINATING AT LEAST THREE TRAININGS FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 JUDGES ON TRAUMA-INFORMED RESPONSE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS. THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF 15JOVW-21-GG-00213-JFFX.

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.

JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES PROJECT

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS: LEEWARD OAHU TRIAD

CENTER FOR PACIFIC AND ASIAN COMMUNITIES: 'OHANA MOVING FORWARD

FUNDING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY CENTER IMMIGRANT TRIAD WILL COVER THE IMMIGRANT ATTORNEY, IMMIGRANT PARALEGAL, IMMIGRANT ADVOCATE AND ONE HO`O ADVOCATE. ATTORNEYS WILL PROVIDE DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN DIVORCE, CUSTODY, PATERNITY, POST-DECREE, AND PROTECTION ORDER CASES. PARALEGALS WILL PROVIDE INVALUABLE TECHNICAL SUPPORT THAT FOSTERS FAVORABLE LEGAL OUTCOMES, INCLUDING MANAGING FILES, PREPARING EXHIBITS, AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM CLIENTS. ADVOCATES WILL PROVIDE EMOTIONAL AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT IN THE COURTROOM AND THE COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM HEALTH AND SAFETY. ALL MEMBERS OF THE TRIAD POSSESS AN ACUTE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW ABUSE IMPACTS A SURVIVOR'S LIFE, AND ALL ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE. BOTH PROGRAMS ARE VISIBLE AND CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE BY ATTENDING EVENTS, CONDUCTING TRAINING AND CULTIVATING RELATIONSHIPS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SERVICES TO CRIME VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS FROM COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED; MARGINALIZED; ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY INEQUALITY; AND DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY CRIME, VIOLENCE, AND VICTIMIZATION. WITH THIS FUNDING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTION CENTER WILL PROVIDE EMERGENCY RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS TO COVER EXPENSES INCLUDING RENTAL ASSISTANCE; CHILDCARE FOR COURT HEARINGS, JOB INTERVIEWS, MEETINGS WITH ADVOCATES, ATTORNEYS, OR OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS; TRANSPORTATION; FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR GROCERIES; AND EMERGENCY NEEDS SUCH AS DIAPERS, WIPES, AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS ON OAHU, HI. THE POPULATION TO BE SERVED INCLUDES NATIVE HAWAIIANS; NATIVE ALASKANS WHO LIVE PART-TIME IN HAWAII; AND FILIPINA, JAPANESE, PACIFIC ISLANDER, CAUCASIAN, AFRICAN AMERICAN, AND LATINO/A SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE, CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, FOOD ASSISTANCE (GROCERY STORE GIFT CARDS), AND EMERGENCY NEEDS ASSISTANCE FOR DIAPERS, WIPES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, AND OTHER ITEMS.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTION CENTER OUTREACH PROGRAM

CONSORTIUM FOR HEALTH SAFETY AND SUPPORT