Highland County Domestic Violence Task Force

SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CRIME

SINCE 1981, THE H/C DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TASK FORCE(ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE) PROVIDES COUNSELING, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND COURT ADVOCACY SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL ABUSE.SPECIFIC SERVICES AVAILABLE ARE: A 24 HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE, SAFE HOMES, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, TRANSPORTING CLIENTS TO SAFE HOMES, SUPPORT GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, PROVIDING KNOWLDGEABLE INFORMATION ABOUT COURT PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT OR RELATED CASES AND PROVIDING AN ADVOCATE TO ACCOMPANY THE VICTIMS TO COURT. IN ADDITION, OUR STAFF RESPONDS TO CALLS FROM LOCAL HOSPITALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WHENEVER THEY REQUEST OUR HELP AND ASSISTANCE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS. THE AGENCY ALSO OFFERS RAPE EXAMS, CERTIFIED NURSES TRAINING AND NURSE CONTRACTUAL SERVICES TO HELP VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND RAPE. THE AGENCY ALSO WORKS WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION CONCERNING AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR CHILD CARE,HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION, CLOTHING AND FOOD. CURRENTLY THE AGENCY IS PROVIDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ANGER MANAGEMENT AND PARENTING CLASSES FOR OFFENDERS. THOSE OFFENDERS ARE REFERRED TO OUR AGENCY BY THE COURTS, CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENTS, HUMAN SERVICES OR CHILDREN SERVICES AND ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE PROGRAM IN ORDER TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS PUT FORTH BY THESES AGENCIES.THE SERVICES RENDERED BY THE TASK FORCE ARE TO VICTIMS OF EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, OR SEXUAL ABUSE, WHETHER IT WAS PAST OR PRESENT.THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPLISHES THIS TASK THROUGH ADVOCACY AND COURT ADVOCACY WHICH ARE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO THE CLIENT WHICH COULD INCLUDE GOING TO COURT AND ASSISTING THE VICTIM WITH THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. IN ADDITION, SUPPORTING THEM IF THEY CHOOSE NOTTO UTILIZE THE COURT. 24 HOUR SHELTER IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE AGENCY WITH THE USE OF A 24 HOUR CRISIS LINE AND VOLUNTEERS WHO MIGHT NEED TO SPEND TIME WITH THE CLIENT OR TRANSPORT THEM TO A SAFE HOME.SUPPORT GROUP, HOUSING FOR THE VICTIMS DUE TO VIOLENCE, CHILD CARE, EDUCATION, AND AWARENESS PROGRAMS ARE ALSO A MAJOR PART OF THE ORGANIZATION.IN THE YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 600 NEW CLIENTS WERE SERVED BY THE HIGHLAND COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TASK FORCE FOR HIGHLAND COUNTY AND AN ESTIMATED 400 NEW CLIENTS FOR CLINTON COUNTY. AN ADDITIONAL 600 INDIVIDUALS FOR HIGHLAND COUNTY AND 600 INDIVIDUALS FOR CLINTON COUNTY WILL BE SERVED IN MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY COURTS, THROUGH OUR 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE, AND TELEPHONE INQUIRIES REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ASSISTANCE, AND REFERRALS. BOTH OFFICES WILL REACH AN ESTIMATED 20,000 PEOPLE THROUGH COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, DISTRIBUTION OF EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS, AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE OCJS BASELINE GRANT IS FOR OFFICE AND PAYROLL EXPENSES.THE OCJS JAG GRANT IS ALLOCATED TO CLINTON COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES AND VICTIMS OF GREENFIELD.THE OCJS FAMILY VIOLENCE GRANT IS ALLOCATED TO HIGHLAND COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES AND VICTIMS OF CLINTON COUNTY.ALL OTHER FUNDING IS PLACED IN THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING ALL FEES AND EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE AGENCY.A FEW EXCEPTIONS TO THIS ARE: THE VOCA FUND, WHICH IS DESIGNATED TO PAY 75% OF THE DIRECTORS SALARY AND FOUR COURT/FAMILY ADVOCATES SALARIES.THE TITLE XX FUND IS DESIGNATED FOR DIRECT SERVICE HOURS.