Domestic Violence Services 7/24/2019

EVERETT WASHINGTON City of Everett Human Needs Grant January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019 Exhibit A Program Summary Organization &Program: Domestic Violence Services: Children's Program Program Description: The Children's Program at Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County(DVSSC)directly supports children and youth who have been exposed to domestic violence in their homes by providing them with housing and food assistance at DVSSC's emergency shelter as well as counseling and guidance provided by the shelter children's advocate.The program provides specialized parenting education and support services to their non-offending parents around the issue of domestic violence and addresses the abuse/neglect many of these children have experienced as a direct result of the domestic violence in their homes.DVSSC also operates a Dating Violence Prevention Program, providing educational presentations to schools and youth-serving organizations throughout Snohomish County. Program Objectives: 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. Program Components and Structure: 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. Population to be served: DVSSC's Children's Program target population is children and youth from birth to 18 years of age who have been impacted by domestic violence,and their non-abusive parents. Direct services are currently provided to children and youth and their non-abusive parents residing at DVSSC's Emergency Shelter and in the agency's Supportive Housing program. Support groups for children and youth in the community are currently offered in Everett,Bothell, Lynnwood,Marysville,and Monroe. How and when the service will be provided: The Shelter Children's Advocate conducts assessments of the children and youth entering DVSSC's shelter and, together with the accompanying parent,develops intervention plans to ensure that their needs are met.The advocate provides individual counseling and therapeutic activities in the shelter,both individually and in groups,and directly 2019 Human Needs Contracts 8