Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Grant: six month progress report Jan. 1, 2003 through June 30, 2003 [June 2003]

Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Grant
Six Month Progress Report January 1, 2003 through June 30, 2003
Summary of Progress Reports
The following information represents a summary of progress reports from the various sites:
Greene County Family Violence Center Greene, Morgan, and Taliaferro Counties were provided services during the reporting period. The following assistance was provided:

Greene County: Served 30 Victims and their Children
24 needs assessments 8 crisis calls 8 intakes
10 legal referrals made 17 counseling referrals (7 of which were children)
4 victims were photographed to document injuries 57 follow-up contacts 35 crisis counsels
6 received successful help in locating housing 2 received help in preparing a resume 2 relocated out-of-state 20 transported 4 parenting class referrals 3 shelter-to-hospital transports for mental health evaluations 2 shelter-to-hospital transports for injury evaluations 2 victim compensation applications were completed
Morgan County: Served 14 Victims and their Children
8 needs assessments 4 crisis calls 3 counseling referrals 5 transports to assist in TPO filing 10 crisis counsels 14 follow-up contacts 3 court escorts 2 referrals to rape crisis services
Taliaferro County: 4 Victims and their Children were Served
4 needs assessments 2 crisis calls 1 counseling referral 4 crisis counsels 5 follow-up contacts
Outreach services included attending support groups, as well as attending two Morgan County Domestic Violence Task Force Meetings. The Advocate met with the Tailaferro Superior Court Clerk and offered to pay staff time for two people to come to the shelter in Greene County to receive TPO training. At the same

time, a training session on domestic violence issues and their response was scheduled for law enforcement, first responders, and fire department personnel.

Other outreach service has been through contact with Greene, Morgan, and Taliaferro County Sheriff's Departments, hospitals, DFCS offices, and clerk's offices. "Love Shouldn't Hurt" cards and materials on domestic violence have been provided to all entities. Outreach services were provided to other nonprofit agencies by attending monthly meetings and working together to aid in meeting the needs of domestic violence victims. The Advocate also attended three Interagency Meetings to address concerns and allow early intervention for juveniles in trouble.

Victims were also served from the following counties outside the shelter's service

area:

Baldwin:

7 victims and their children

Gwinnett:

2 victims and their children

Hancock:

12 victims and their children

Houston:

1 victim

Jackson:

1 victim

Jasper:

5 victims and their children

Madison:

1 victim

Newton:

3 victims and their children

Putnam:

10 victims and their children

Rockdale:

3 victims and their children

Services for the aforementioned counties included crisis calls, intakes, needs assessments, crisis counseling, referrals to parenting classes, counseling, OB/GYN, medical, TANF, job, and housing, as well as victims compensation, hospital and court escort, follow-up, and transportation.

The Advocate provided outreach administrative and office support in assisting with setting-up law enforcement training, which counted toward post-credit hours; assisted in setting-up a volunteer orientation/training workshop; developed a new case management system for the Executive Director and Legal Advocate, and initiated protocols and established a records archival system.

Rural Domestic Violence funds allowed the Advocate to attend the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence training in January, the Department of Human Resources Contractor's Training, and the DHR Labor Laws Workshop in June 2003.

Hart Council on Family Violence

Eighteen victims of domestic violence were assisted in obtaining Temporary Protective Orders. The Legal Advocate assisted each victim in properly completing the necessary TPO forms and accompanied them to the judge's chambers for his review and signature. Each victim was accompanied by the Legal Advocate to the appropriate Clerk of Court's office and Sheriff's office for filing and service to the abuser.
Clients of domestic violence are often nervous and fearful of the legal process. The Legal Advocate attended the second TPO hearings and other court cases with 26 clients to provide emotional support.
The Legal Advocate located 2 new attorneys to join 9 other attorneys who have agreed to work for Hart Council on Family Violence at a reduced rate of $75 per hour to represent victims of domestic violence in TPO and stalking hearings, custody hearings, housing and family support issues, etc. Attorneys were provided, free of charge, to 29 victims of domestic violence to represent them in the above-mentioned cases.
The Legal Advocate spoke to various agencies: Hart, Franklin, and Elbert Clerk's Offices, Superior Courts, Magistrate Courts, police departments, Sheriff's Offices, District Attorney's Offices, DFCS offices to inform them of the legal services that are available to victims of domestic violence. Six women have been helped financially and emotionally to secure a divorce from the abuser in order to begin new lives free of violence.
Women In Need of God's Shelter, Inc. The Domestic Violence Assessor and Legal Advocate continue to provide Outreach Services to clients in Dodge County. WINGS hosted a Lunch & Learn for Law Enforcement, Public Health, and Department of Family & Children. During this training, participants were given an overview of domestic violence, sexual assault, and WINGS' services. Attendees also received an update on WINGS protocol and how to assist clients in accessing the organization's services.
Dodge County provided the following services during the performance period:
17 Crisis Calls 17 New Non-Residents women and children 3 Domestic Violence Assessments (for DFCS) 3 Temporary Protective Orders
Sunshine House Toombs County: 56 Victims and their children were served

The advocate assisted with 2 murder cases in which multiple secondary victims were involved. The victims were offered counseling and accompanied to court. The advocate discussed the cases with the Multi-disciplinary Team. In two child abuse cases, the advocate made home visits to the family and foster family. The advocate then submitted recommendations to the judge and case review panel. Court advocacy was also provided.
The Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Grant allowed the advocate to attend a domestic violence training and two child fatality trainings. Twentyfive parenting classes were offered by the advocate.