Family Violence Project

SUBSTANCE ABUSE SHELTER: THE SHELTER IN SOMERSET COUNTY, FUNDED BY AN OVW FEDERAL GRANT, PROVIDES A SAFE PLACE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND/OR ADDICTION ISSUES. ALL CLIENTS RECEIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY, HIGHLY INDIVIDUALIZED INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE WITH TRANSPORTATION AND CHILDCARE AS NEEDED. RESIDENTS ATTEND GROUPS FOCUSING ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PARENTING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY. THEY RECEIVE SUPPORT NAVIGATING THE MEDICAL SYSTEM, ADDRESSING LEGAL ISSUES, ESTABLISHING NEW HEALTHY RECREATIONAL INTERESTS, PROMOTING HEALTHY DIET AND EXERCISE, AS WELL AS SUPPORTS SPECIFIC TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S OR FAMILY'S NEEDS.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION: WE CANNOT END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALONE. OUR COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND EDUCATE ABOUT THE DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURTS, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE APPROPRIATELY. OUR SCHOOL-BASED ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM OFFERS AGE APPROPRIATE PRESENTATIONS FOR STUDENTS IN PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND ADULT EDUCATION. PRESENTATIONS ARE DESIGNED TO INFORM CHILDREN AND YOUTH ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, THEREBY INCREASING KNOWLEDGE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES, DECREASING ISOLATION, AND SHAPING HOW OUR YOUTH APPROACH DATING RELATIONSHIPS.