Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1420 Counseling for Victims of Domestic Violence
Requester:	Christine Thrower		Organization:		Women in Distress of Broward County, Inc.
Project Title:	Counseling for Victims of Domestic Violence		Date Submitted:		01/27/2000 11:48:30 PM
District Member:	Walter Campbell		Service Area:		County
Counties Affected:	Broward
Recipient:	Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc.		Contact:		Christine Thrower
	1153 South Andrews Avenue		Contact Phone:		(954) 760-9800 233
	Fort Lauderdale 33316
Project Description:
This project seeks funding to provide counseling services for women and children affected by domestic violence. The program works with a self-help philosophy to assist domestic violence survivors in breaking the cycle of domestic violence and gaining self-sufficiency for long-term avoidance of domestic violence. The program promotes problem solving through non-violent behavior patterns. The program operates an Outreach Counseling Center to provide victim advocacy and counseling to those victims not requiring shelter, as well as aftercare counseling to graduates of the shelter program. The program also provides temporary emergency shelter, food, and counseling to abused and homeless womena nd children. Women In Distress also provides special programs for batterers seeking to reform, and special programs for children who have witnessed domestic violence. Women In Distress has established an additional safe house shelter and two satellite offices, based on increasing numbers of domestic violence victims. In 1998, Women in Distress received over 8,500 crisis calls and provided a over 17,400 shelter days to almost 800 women. 1,418 women and 1,056 children were served. Here, the funding sought is for counseling services as one element of a comprehensive support and rehabilitation program.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
This project is the only state-certified domestic violence center in Broward County and is an experienced and proven project, having been founded in 1974. The project will provide individual and group counseling on the following topics: cycle of abuse, assertiveness training, employability, and parenting skills. This will directly benefit the state by helping battered women and children break the cycle of domestic violence. In a letter of April 5, 1999, Governor Bush recognized Women In Distress for 25 years of advocacy and service to domestic violence victims, highlighting the success in "assisting (abused women) in finding safety for themselves and their children." The Governor "applaud [the] extraordinary efforts to lessen the impact of victimization on innocent crime victims." The mission of Women In Distress is supported with funds from a variety of governmental and private resources totaling approximately $2.6 million, reflecting widespread recognition of the value and effectiveness of the agency's efforts.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Clients are expected to develop knowledge about domestic violence and the cyle of abuse. Clients will both learn to avoid and escape domestic violence in the future and gain parenting and employment skills towards the goal of becoming self-sufficient, an important ability to break the cycle of domestic violence.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$276,316
Total cost of the project:		$276,316

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?						No
Was this project previously funded by the State?						Yes
	Fiscal Year:	1997-2000		Amount:		$802,632
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?						Yes
	Amount:	$276,316
	Purpose for future year funding:				Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?					Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?						Unknown
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?						Unknown
Is there a documented need for this project?						Yes
	Documentation:	Among others, the U.S. Surgeon General identifies the need as a national health care epidemic.
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?						Unknown