DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM

SHELTER SERVICES OFFERS EMERGENCY SHELTERING AND CRISIS SERVICES (UP TO 45 DAYS) IN OUR 70 BED SHELTER THAT INCLUDES LETHALITY ASSESSMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, IDENTIFYING RESOURCES, BUILDING REFERRALS AND PROVIDING EMERGENCY SUPPORT WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SERVICE AREA HOSPITALS. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE YOUTH SERVICES, FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING CHILDREN EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH SUPPORT GROUPS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, CHILD WELFARE ADVOCACY AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT. IN FY2025, 656 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WERE PROVIDED EMERGENCY SHELTERING AND SHELTER SUPPORT SERVICES.

THE OUTREACH PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES FOR VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN, SERVING EIGHT COUNTIES IN SOUTHEASTERN IOWA. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES A 24-HOUR HOTLINE, PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES AND ADVOCACY IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE MATTERS, MOBILE ADVOCACY, EMERGENCY TRANSPORT, AND VICTIM REGISTRATION AND NOTIFICATION, THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF ALL SERVICES IS TO CONNECT VICTIMS TO A LONG TERM SUPPORT NETWORK INVOLVING LOCAL AGENCIES OF THEIR COUNTY-OF-ORIGIN TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE. THIS INCLUDES COLLABORATIONS WITH CHILD WELFARE, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES SHORT TERM HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE PROGRAM HELPS WITH RENT AND UTILITIES EXPENSES, OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING, JOB RETENTION COUNSELING, ASSISTING WITH LIFE SKILLS AND EDUCATION ALONG WITH LOCATING AND SECURING PERMANENT HOUSING WITH THE HELP OF CASE MANAGEMENT. IN FY2025, 2,392 VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.