Coalition For Family Harmony

TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN CRISIS SITUATIONS (WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO WOMEN WHO HAVE SUFFERED DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE) BY PROVIDING TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOOD, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, COUNSELING, AND LEGAL SERVICES. WE ALSO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT VENUES TO ENSURE VICTIMS RIGHTS.

PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS1) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM SUPPORT PROGRAMDOMESTIC VIOLENCE EMERGENCY SHELTER: THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EMERGENCY SHELTER IS A 30-DAY EMERGENCY RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR BATTERED VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE SHELTER PROVIDES FOOD, CLOTHING, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS, AND ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICAL AND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES. SHELTER CLIENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS, CHILDREN GROUPS, PARENTING CLASSES, ACCESS TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AFTER SCHOOL RESOURCES AND LEGAL RESOURCES. THE SHELTER ALSO OPERATES A 24-HOUR BILINGUAL CRISIS HOTLINE WITH TRAINED SHELTER STAFF AND/OR VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFER CRISIS INTERVENTION, INFORMATION, REFERRALS AND SHELTER INTAKE. THE HOTLINE PROVIDES A NON-JUDGMENTAL RESPONSE TO CALLERS, INFORMATION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND INFORMATION ON SAFETY, CRISIS INTERVENTION AND APPROPRIATE REFERRALS. THE HOTLINE SERVES AS THE LINK TO OTHER AGENCY SERVICES. FOR THE MAIN FUNCTION AND OPERATION OF THE SHELTER WE RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE VENTURA COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY, CALIFORNIA PUBLIC HEALTH AND CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ALSO KNOWN AS CAL EMA.THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER PROVIDED 647 BED NIGHTS AND RELATED PROGRAM SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR 2021/22. SURVIVORS INITIATE SERVICES BY CALLING OUR24-HOUR BILINGUAL CRISIS HOTLINE, THE ONLY CRISIS LINE IN VENTURA COUNTY STAFFED BY PROFESSIONALS SPECIFICALLY TRAINED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT INTERVENTION AND ISSUES. ALL CLIENTS ARE PROCESSED BY AN INTAKE PROCEDURE, IN WHICH THE CRISIS LINE OPERATOR WILL VERIFY SAFETY MEASURES, AND EXPECTATIONS, AND PROCESS A GENERAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT. IF THE SHELTER ADVOCATE DEEMS THAT THE CLIENT REQUIRES NEEDS BEYOND WHAT THE SHELTER PROGRAM CAN HELP THEM WITH, ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE TO HOUSE THAT CLIENT AND THEIR CHILDREN IN A SHELTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH AN AGENCY THAT WOULD BETTER FIT THEIR NEEDS.THE FAMILY HARMONY PROGRAM ALSO WORKS TO PREVENT FURTHER VIOLENCE IN THE HOME THROUGH STRENGTHENING AND SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMMING WITH ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY. THESE SERVICES ARE CONDUCTED BY CLINICAL AND PEER COUNSELORS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.THE SHELTER SCHEDULE IS A 24/7-A-WEEK OPERATION INCLUDING ALL WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.SERVICES PROVIDED AT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD OF FY 2021/2022:NUMBER OF PERSONS:- REQUESTING HOTLINE CRISIS CALLS = 518- RECEIVING INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING = 357- RECEIVING TEMPORARY HOUSING AND/OR FOOD = 38- RECEIVING MEDICAL ADVOCACY = 1- RECEIVING LEGAL ASSISTANCE = 31- NUMBER OF EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES = 211- NUMBER OF CHILDREN AT THE SHELTER = 25- NUMBER OF SHELTER AND HOTLINE CLIENTS REFERRED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT = 555- NUMBER OF SHELTER AND HOTLINE CLIENTS REFERRED BY SOCIAL SERVICES = 92) RAPE CRISIS PROGRAMTHE RAPE CRISIS CENTER: THE CENTER IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY CAL-OES AND IS THE ONLY SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF VENTURA SERVING VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT WHICH INCLUDES: RAPE, ATTEMPTED RAPE, CHILD MOLESTATIONS, SODOMY, ORAL COPULATION, SEXUAL PENETRATION, INDECENT EXPOSURE, INCEST, LEWD ACTS ON A CHILD UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST THE ELDERLY. SEXUAL ASSSAULT ADVOCATES ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND ARE CONTACTED THROUGH OUR HOTLINE AND THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. STAFF IS LOCATED IN THE COALITIONS FACILITY AND THE COUNTY MULTI-DISCIPLINARY INTERVIEW CENTERS DURING BUSINESS HOURS AND ON CALL AFTER NORMAL WORK HOURS.CRISIS INTERVENTION:CHILDREN AGES 0-17 = 24ADULTS AGES 18-24 = 24 AGES 25-59 = 45 AGES 60+ = 3 - IN PERSON CRISIS INTERVENTION = 89- TELEPHONE CRISIS INTERVENTION = 7- ADULTS MOLESTED AS CHILDREN = 7- PROVIDED SHELTER OR SAFE HOUSING = 0FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:- CASH OUTLAYS/VOUCHERS, PURCHASED BY AGENCY FOR FOOD, CLOTHING, HOUSING, AND TRANSPORTATION = 0- ADVISED OF VICTIM COMPENSATION AVAILABILITY OR ASSISTED IN FILING CLAIMS = 16- ASSISTED WITH RESTRAINING ORDER, INJUNCTION OR OTHER PROTECTION ORDER = 0- SA EXAM ATTENDED BY RC STAFF OR VOLUNTEER = 57DEMOGRAPHICS:- WHITE = 38- HISPANIC/LATINA = 43- AFRICAN AMERICAN = 3- ASIAN = 7- HAWAIIAN = 1- OTHER = 2- UNKNOWN = 2- TRAINING TO OTHER AGENCIES = 53) COUNSELING PROGRAMCOUNSELING PROGRAMS:THE COALITION OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING SERVICES TO SURVIVORS AND PERPETRATORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. OUR MFT INTERNS AND TRAINEES PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND GROUP COUNSELING SERVICES. WE OFFER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND INCEST/MOLESTATION. THE SESSIONS/STAFFING IN THE CLINICAL DEPARTMENT WAS SEVERELY IMPACTED BY COVID-19 PANDEMIC THAT HAS RESULTED IN DECREASES IN THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND SESSIONS.IN 2021/22, THE COALITION PROVIDED 2,010 INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE SESSIONS AND HAD 30 ATTENDEES AT THE SUPPORT GROUPS.SPANISH-LANGUAGE ANGER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: WE OFFER THIS 15-WEEK COURSE FOR COURT-MANDATED AND VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANTS. REPEAT OFFENDER PREVENTION PROGRAM (ROPP):CREATED FOR FIRST-TIME JUVENILE FELONS AND THEIR PARENTS/GUARDIANS, THE ROPP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT RECURRING CRIMINAL AND ADVERSE BEHAVIORS FOR ADOLESCENTS YOUNGER THAN 15 YEARS OF AGE. DEPENDING ON VARIOUS NEEDS, THE YOUTHS ARE PUT INTO GROUPS INCLUDING ANGER MANAGEMENT AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, TEEN EMPOWERMENT FOR GIRLS AND VICTIM IMPACT.JUVENILE PROBATION SERVICES (JPS) PROGRAM:SIMILAR TO ROPP, JPS IS LIMITED TO THOSE JUVENILES ON PROBATION AND DESIGNED TO PREVENT RECURRING CRIMINAL AND ADVERSE BEHAVIORS BY ADOLESCENTS. OUR YOUTH ADVOCATES PROVIDE NUMEROUS SERVICES INCLUDING ANGER MANAGEMENT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND TEEN EMPOWERMENT GROUPS, ALONG WITH INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING FOR THOSE IN NEED.IN 2021/22, THE COALITION PROVIDED COUNSELING SERVICES TO 80 YOUTH.CHILD ABUSE INTERVENTION PROGRAM (CAIP):THIS COUNTY-APPROVED PROGRAM ASSISTS PARTICIPANTS IN IMPROVING PARENTING SKILLS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE. PARTICIPANTS GAIN POSITIVE FAMILY DYNAMICS BY ESTABLISHING A BELIEF SYSTEM BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT AND COMMUNICATION. CO-ED SPANISH AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE GROUPS ARE HELD TWO (2) HOURS WEEKLY AT THE COALITION. VOLUNTEER OR COURT MANDATED PARENTS MAY ATTEND THE 52-WEEK PROGRAM.SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM (SART)IN FISCAL YEAR 2021/22, THE SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM (SART) PROVIDED IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL RESPONSE TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN VENTURA COUNTY. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, A MAJORITY OF SERVICES WERE DONE VIRTUALLY. SART ADVOCATES RESPOND 24/7 TO RAPE CRISIS AND WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES SUCH AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINERS, DISTRIC ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND INVESTIGATORS. ADVOCATES PROVIDE THE INITIAL CRISIS INTERVENTION AS WELL AS FOLLOW UP AND REFERRALS TO OUR COUNSELING PROGRAM WHERE THEY RECEIVE 10 FREE SESSIONS OF COUNSELING. THE SART COORDINATOR ALSO PROVIDES TRAINING AND OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE, CONSENT, AND VICTIM RIGHTS.FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 THE SART PROGRAM RESPONDED TOFORENSIC EXAMS: 20INTERVIEWS: 2CRISIS COUNSELING: 10AGES: 0-17: 518-24: 1025-59: 18 60+: 1GENDER:MALE: 2WOMAN: 32OTHER: 04) LGBTQ+ PROGRAM:THE COALITION FOR FAMILY HARMONY RECOGNIZES THAT LGBTQ+ INDIVIDUALS ARE AN UNDER-SERVED AND VULNERABLE POPULATION. THE COALITION OFFERS FREE SPECIALIZEDCOUNSELING SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND GENERAL COUNSELING TO INDIVIDUALS WHO IDENTIFY AS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER OR QUESTIONING IN VENTURA COUNTY.THE LGBTQ+ PROGRAMS STAFF IS COMPRISED OF SKILLED PROFESSIONALS WITH VARIOUS BACKGROUNDS AND AREAS OF EXPERTISE. THE COALITION HAS MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS WHOSE TRAINING LIES IN MENTAL WELLNESS WITH ATTENTION TO LGBTQ+ ISSUES AND STAFF WITH A RESEARCH BACKGROUND ON THE SYSTEMATIC INEQUALITIES THAT IMPACT THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MANY LGBTQ+ PEOPLE.IN 2021/22, 92 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED IN LGBTQ+ COUNSELING.5) LEGAL SUPPORT PROGRAMLEGAL DEPARTMENT: HOLISTIC LEGAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO CRIME VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSULT FOR CIVIL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CRIME THEY EXPERIENCED. SERVICES INCLUDE SEEKING PROTECTION ORDERS AND FAMILY LAW MATTERS SUCH AS CHILD CUSTODY, DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE, CHILD SUPPORT AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT.DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021/22, LEGAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO 359 VICTIMS. LEGAL DEPARTMENT PROVIDED 624 SERVICES RELATED TO PROTECTION ORDERS, 1,958 SERVICES RELATED TO FAMILY LAW AND 373 SERVICES RELATED TO IMMIGRATION MATTERS. LEGAL DEPARTMENT PROVIDED 56 REFERRALS TO OTHER VICTIMS SERVICES PROGRAMS, COUNSELING SERVICES, AND TO PRIVATE ATTORNEYS.