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 2020/21. SURVIVORS INITIATE SERVICES BY CALLING OUR 24-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 2020/2021:NUMBER OF PERSONS:- REQUESTING HOTLINE CRISIS CALLS = 399- RECEIVING INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING = 743- RECEIVING TEMPORARY HOUSING AND/OR FOOD = 29- RECEIVING MEDICAL ADVOCACY = 2- RECEIVING LEGAL ASSISTANCE = 62- NUMBER OF EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES = 42- NUMBER OF CHILDREN AT THE SHELTER = 15- NUMBER OF SHELTER AND HOTLINE CLIENTS REFERRED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT = 452- NUMBER OF SHELTER AND HOTLINE CLIENTS REFERRED BY SOCIAL SERVICES = 22) SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM SUPPORT 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 = 54ADULTS AGES 18-24 = 63 AGES 25-59 = 120 AGES 60+ = 17 - IN PERSON CRISIS INTERVENTION = 119- TELEPHONE CRISIS INTERVENTION = 138- ADULTS MOLESTED AS CHILDREN = 110- PROVIDED SHELTER OR SAFE HOUSING = 1FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:- CASH OUTLAYS/VOUCHERS, PURCHASED BY AGENCY FOR FOOD, CLOTHING, HOUSING, AND TRANSPORTATION = 5- ADVISED OF VICTIM COMPENSATION AVAILABILITY OR ASSISTED IN FILING CLAIMS = 10- ASSISTED WITH RESTRAINING ORDER, INJUNCTION OR OTHER PROTECTION ORDER = 5- SA EXAM ATTENDED BY RC STAFF OR VOLUNTEER = 95DEMOGRAPHICS:- WHITE = 97- HISPANIC/LATINA = 101- AFRICAN AMERICAN = 2- ASIAN = 6- HAWAIIAN = 3- OTHER = 16- UNKNOWN = 29- TRAINING TO OTHER AGENCIES = 73) 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 2020/21, THE COALITION PROVIDED 76 INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE SESSIONS AND HAD 35 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 2020/21, THE COALITION PROVIDED COUNSELING SERVICES TO 89 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.LGBTQ SUPPORT PROGRAMIN FISCAL YEAR 2020/21, 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 2020/21 THE SART PROGRAM RESPONDED TOFORENSIC EXAMS: 5INTERVIEWS: 0CRISIS COUNSELING: 46AGES: 0-17: 2018-24: 2225-59: 41 60+: 5GENDER:MALE: 15WOMAN: 40OTHER: 334) LGBTQ+:THE COALITION FOR FAMILY HARMONY RECOGNIZES THAT LGBTQ+ INDIVIDUALS ARE AN UNDER-SERVED AND VULNERABLE POPULATION. THE COALITION OFFERS FREE SPECIALIZED COUNSELING 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 2020/21, 221 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 2020/21, LEGAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO 173 VICTIMS. LEGAL DEPARTMENT PROVIDED 400 SERVICES RELATED TO PROTECTION ORDERS, 1,803 SERVICES RELATED TO FAMILY LAW AND 278 SERVICES RELATED TO IMMIGRATION MATTERS. LEGAL DEPARTMENT PROVIDED 125 REFERRALS TO OTHER VICTIMS SERVICES PROGRAMS, COUNSELING SERVICES, AND TO PRIVATE ATTORNEYS.

THE 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 0-17 YEARS OF AGE = 91ADULTS 18-24 = 93 25-59 = 149 60+ = 6 AGE UNKNOWN = 0IN PERSON CRISIS INTERVENTION = 128TELEPHONE CRISIS INTERVENTION = 211ADULTS MOLESTED AS CHILDREN = 91PROVIDED SHELTER OR SAFE HOUSING = 0FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:CASH OUTLAYS/VOUCHERS, PURCHASED BY AGENCY FOR FOOD, CLOTHING, HOUSING, AND TRANSPORTATION = 10ADVISED OF VICTIM COMPENSATION AVAILABILITY OR ASSISTED IN FILING CLAIMS = 12ASSISTED WITH RESTRAINING ORDER, INJUNCTION OR OTHER PROTECTION ORDER = 3SA EXAM ATTENDED BY RC STAFF OR VOLUNTEER = 140DEMOGRAPHICS:WHITE = 123HISPANIC/LATINA = 141AFRICAN AMERICAN = 9ASIAN = 8HAWAIIAN = 1OTHER = 31UNKNOWN = 26TRAINING TO OTHER AGENCIES = 7

COUNSELING PROGRAMS:THE COALITION OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING SERVICES TO SUVIVORS 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.IN 2018/19, THE COALITION PROVIDED 1,500 INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE SESSIONS AND HAD 1,050 ATTENDEES AT THE SUPPORT GROUPS.SPANISH-LANGUAGE ANGER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMWE 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) PROGRAMSIMILAR TO ROPP, JPS IS LIMITED TO THOSE JUVENILES ON PROBATION AND DESIGNED TO PREVENT RECURRING CRIMINAL AND ADVERSE BEHAVIORS BY ADOLESCENTS. OURYOUTH ADVOCATES PROVIDE NUMEROUS SERVICES INCLUDING ANGER MANAGEMENT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND TEEN EMPOWERMENT GROUPS, ALONG WITH INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING FOR THOSE IN NEED.IN 2019-20, THE COALITION PROVIDED COUNSELING SERVICES TO 99 YOUTH.FAMILY HARMONY PROGRAM:THE FAMILY HARMONY PROGRAM IS A BLENDING OF VARIOUS EFFECTIVE PARENTING PROGRAMS PREVIOUSLY USED FOR YEARS AT THE COALITION. THE RESULT IS A UNIQUE 16-WEEK CURRICULUM THAT IS APPLICABLE TO VIRTUALLY EVERY PARENTING SITUATION INVOLVING CHILDREN OF ALL AGES. THE FAMILY HARMONY PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO CREATE A MORE NURTURING HOME ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH ALL FAMILY MEMBERS CAN THRIVE.IN 2019/20, THE COALITION HAD 800 PARENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR FAMILY HARMONY PROGRAM.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.IN 2019/20, THE COALITION HAD 255 CAIP ENROLLMENTS.