Domestic Violence Services 3/5/2020

EVERETT WASHINGTON City of Everett Human Needs Grant January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 Exhibit A Program Summary Organization&Program: Domestic Violence Services: Children's Program Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County is dedicated to ending domestic abuse by providing a wide range of services for victims and by facilitating social change. The Children's Program objectives are: • Support and advocate for children and youth who have been impacted by domestic violence, • Lower the risk of future violent behavior and other effects of domestic violence for these children and youth, •Educate children,youth,parents,and professionals in the community about ways to intervene in and prevent domestic violence. First and most important,children and youth are provided safety in a protected shelter environment where they receive advocacy and support,nutrition,medical care,and other services as needed,including: •counseling and therapeutic activities for children and youth aimed at enhancing their self-esteem,helping them deal with and appropriately express their feelings of anger and fear,and teaching them social and safety skills.These activities take place both in one-on-one sessions between a child/youth and the Children's Advocate and in DVSSC's Youth Center through group activities,guided play,homework assistance,and support •support groups held for children and youth.The age appropriate curriculum covers topics such as safety planning,defining abuse,and safe/unsafe touch,identifying and expressing emotions,self-esteem,and conflict resolution. •field trips and activities are planned for children and youth to relieve stress,learn social skills,and just have fun. •parenting education and information and referral,through structured parenting groups,one-on-one consultation,and modeling age appropriate non-physical discipline techniques. •school liaison,to ensure that children in DVS's Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing programs are attending school and receiving appropriate school-based services. •domestic violence prevention programs in schools and youth-serving agencies aimed at raising awareness about the causes and effects of domestic violence and offering interventions and behavioral alternatives to abuse. •professional training to service providers,teachers,childcare providers,medical and criminal justice personnel. Services are provided by one full-time Children's Advocate(Emergency Shelter),one full-time Family Advocate(Supportive Housing)and a half-time Children's Program Assistant. All children's services staff have training in child development, abuse/neglect,and domestic violence issues. Approximately 6-10 volunteers assist with the Children's Program,providing a total of over 200 volunteer hours per year.All direct service staff and volunteers have a minimum 20 hours initial training in domestic violence and advocacy-based counseling issues followed by 20 hours of continuing education every year. 7