VICTIM SERVICE RESTRUCTURING IN

IOWA

Talk about the evolving climate of victim services in Iowa;

Provide a brief overview of the process and priorities for changing services in Iowa;

Discuss the impact of our service delivery changes; and

Share results of these changes in Iowa

EXPECTATIONS FOR TODAY

Lots and lots and lots and lots of people lead and helped and

challenged

WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE THIS ALONE

$8.5 million dollar budget facing an approximate $1.4 million cut to federal funding sources (VAWA & VOCA 2011)

Uncertainty with state funding levels

Inevitably, programs would hobble along and eventually close

INEVITABLE CHANGE

Seasoned elected Attorney General, Tom Miller

Former CVAD director, elected into legislature

FVPSA, VAWA (STOP and SASP) & VOCA all administered by CVAD

Strong sexual assault and domestic violence coalitions with seasoned directors

Healthy reserve fund at CVAD

CLIMATE OF THE OFFICE

99 counties

20 shelters

24 dual domestic abuse/sexual abuse programs

3 stand alone sexual abuse programs

3 stand alone domestic abuse programs

279 staff

CLIMATE OF VICTIM SERVICES *THEN*

40% decrease in shelter clients in urban areas

17% decrease in shelter clients utilizing rural shelters. 

The shelter vacancy rate is 42%

It costs approximately $400,000 to run a shelter; the cost of vacancy is roughly $3.36 million dollars.

About 40% of the VSS Program resources maintain shelters, reaching 11% of the crime victims in IA

STATEWIDE LANDSCAPE IN 2011

...developed into questions about whether the current

model delivers what victims need…

WHAT STARTED OUT AS A QUESTION OF RESOURCE

Effective, high quality services to all crime victims

Equitable distribution of funds and services across the state

Healthy, successful, and supported programs prepared to stretch, and rise to meet the evolving needs of victims

More victim advocates working directly with victims and providing advocacy services

PRIORITIES

Improved collaborative relationships with local service providers in existing and expanded service areas

Build on existing strengths of programs

Smooth transition with the least amount of service disruption to existing clients

PRIORITIES

Janelle Melohn, 515-242-6109 janelle.melohn@iowa.gov

Donna Phillips, 515-242-5121 donna.phillips@iowa.gov

PROCESS PRESENTATIONS

Gathered dataCreated a “plan”Brought coalitions into the processInformed DA and SA Directors and requested

inputResponded to federal funders and other

interested partiesHosted community meetings and identified

key stakeholdersDrafted, re-drafted, and finalized “the plan”

PROCESS

Bricks and mortar is expensive; yet housing is a primary and urgent need of victims

Services must be closer to victims; transportation and access are huge barriers to services

Sexual assault services must be prioritized

Culturally specific services are imperative

Services to survivors of homicide victims should be available statewide

Decisions will be driven by victims needs

PRINCIPLES

• Shelter-Based Services1

• Domestic Abuse Comprehensive Services

2• Sexual Abuse

Comprehensive Services

3

• Culturally Specific Services4

THE “PLAN”

Regionalize services

Housing First

New partnerships with different agencies

Victim gets what s/he needs through comprehensive services and case management

Emphasis on direct client assistance

Non-traditional service provision

Mobile advocacy

THE “PLAN”

99 counties

8 shelters

18 domestic abuse comprehensive and culturally specific programs for victims of domestic violence

17 sexual abuse comprehensive and culturally specific programs for victims of sexual abuse

360 staff

CLIMATE OF VICTIM SERVICES *NOW*

SFY2013 VS SFY2014 VICTIMS SERVED

Domestic Abuse Sexual Abuse

ñ24%

ñ15%

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

THEN

Shelter-bound services

Services at main offi ce

Assessments completed at discharge

Limited client assistance for limited purposes

NOWHousing First model

Mobile advocacy-services in outreach offi ces or in community (not shelter)

Intake and lethality assessments at fi rst contact

Client assistance to help with health, safety, stabilization and self-suffi ciency

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES

CLIMATE OF VICTIM SERVICES TODAY

FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14

Total Persons Sheltered

Nights of Shelter Provided

Total Persons Diverted

SFY2014 VICTIMS SHELTERED & SHELTER NIGHTS

ShelterSafe

HomesHotel Motel

Total

Victims Sheltered 2,729 106 501 3,336

Nights of Shelter 74,242 1,843 1,760 77,845

DIVERSION SERVICES

Victims Sheltered (3,336)Victims Diverted from Shelter (4,744)

SFY2014

3,602 Housing assessments

732 Assistance with rent of utilities

1,075 Other financial assistance

2,937 Problem solving and advocacy  

DIVERSION SERVICES

SHELTER

THEN

20 sheltersTransitional housingRapid re-housing

(minimal)Assessment

conducted some time in shelter

NOW8 shelters4 community

supported sheltersTransitional housingRapid re-housingHotel/motelSafe homesApartmentsRent/mortgage/utility

assistanceAssessments at first

contact

SHELTER

VACANCY RATES

SFY13 SFY14

42%

26%

Housing First Centralized intake form (VI-SPDAT tool) No need to re-tell story

Tenant based rental assistance (TBRA)1 year:

77 survivors354 months of housing assistance$500/month average per client

FY15-SUCCESSES

Victim with DisabilitiesEnslaved by abusers, finally kicked out for seeking help

Program helped: Recover belongings

Apartment close to grocery & other community services Paid 2 months rent until disability kicked in

Arranged for mental health services be provided in home

Worked with landlord to provide laundry services

FY15-SUCCESSES

Victim and 2 childrenRehousedProvided first months rentHelped her moveHelped her develop a budget

Worked in two rural counties to secure multiple houses and apartments at 50% of fair market value for rent

FY15-SUCCESSES

Housing retention30 days out – 93%60 days out – 87%90 days out – 85%

SFY2015Average length of stay in shelter decreased by 3 days

FY15-SUCCESSES

“Housing Team”

ID-ing rural homes vacant for 12 months and targeting for rent

Team then facilitates conversation with homeowner to exchange upkeep and maintenance to property for fair market rent

FY15-SUCCESSES

Victim of domestic violence and childhood trauma“Without the help of Safepath Survivor Resources, I would not be here today. [I] now have something to look forward to.”

Secured her an apartment after two years of being homeless and 30 days after finding the DAC program

Counseling, budgeting, employment, and help with state medical benefits were other services provided

Currently working a full time forty an hour week job

FY15-SUCCESSES

DOMESTIC ABUSE COMPREHENSIVE

Mom & 7 year old Stayed with family first

Moved to safe home in rural area of the state Employment assistance Food cards until food stamp benefits started Personal hygiene items Worked with community college to get a scholarship to

complete GED requirements Worked with pharmacy to help get meds on a small

installment plan

Now permanently housed and employed

FY15-SUCCESSES

THEN

Come to shelter “mentality”

All services provided out of the shelter

Menu of services

NOW

Assessment at fi rst contact

Mobile advocacyDesignated satellite

offi ces; strong outreach in each county of the service area

Customized service plan for each victims

Client assistance for health, safety, stability and self-suffi ciency

DOMESTIC ABUSE COMPREHENSIVE

DHS co-located advocate focusing on offender services as well as child and family needs

“Fatherhood Initiative”Educates offender on DV and its impact on his children and partner/spouse

FY15-SUCCESSES

Victim with disabilitiesDiverted from shelter to emergency housing program

Unable to get copies of birth certificate because adoption records were sealed because of DV

Program:Facilitated trips to home stateLodging while in home stateReturn to stable short-term housing and working on permanent housing

FY15-SUCCESSES

Client assistanceTennis balls for the bottom of the walker

RX for sick child when insurance denied

Relocation

 A client needed assistance with lawyer fees, which we couldn’t assist with, but instead we assisted with rent for a few months which allowed her to save up to pay her legal fees.

FY15-SUCCESSES

SEXUAL ASSAULT

THENAdvocates had dual

DV/SA responsibilities

Crisis response to hospitals and law enforcement

NOWSA designated staff

Focus on youth

Creative ways to reach survivors

Shift in crisis lines/hotlines

Criminal justice is not the primary intervention point

SEXUAL ASSAULT COMPREHENSIVE

SFY2014 vs. SFY2015

24% increase in primary sexual assault victims served

16% increase in number of in person services hours

13% increase in services provided over the phone

98% increase in transportation trips for victims

FY15-SUCCESSES

Adolescent survivor raped at 13 years old

Grounding techniques to reduce anxiety around males of a certain age

Now able to order food at a restaurant on her own

FY15-SUCCESSES

Adult Survivor of Sexual AssaultAttended court with an advocateDissolved marriageContinued No Contact Order deniedParticipates in several support groups

Equine TherapyGardeningFaith-based group

Lawyer of shelter helped with landlord housing issue

FY15-SUCCESSES

Teen survivor

Assaulted by stepfatherVictim was seeking shelterFound semi-permanent solutionNow in permanent housing

FY15-SUCCESSES

Campus Coordinator position located on campus & volunteer curriculum built into college course.

Partnership with the local Junior League of the Quad Cities whose advocacy platform is addressing SA on campuses

Screenings of The Hunting Ground and panel discussion with three of our local schools

Brooke Axtel coming to speak at our annual Rising Up luncheon and at one of the local universities.

FY15-SUCCESSES

FY15-SUCCESSES

“Five years ago I thought we provided good sexual assault services. Looking back, we provided crisis services. We

conducted very little outreach and even less community building.”

FY15-SUCCESSES

“As an agency I believe we have moved beyond simply focusing on the crisis and stabilizing a situation, to focusing equal

energy to healing. While crisis stabilization is essential, it all seems

somewhat futile if individuals and families are not able to recover from the

trauma of abuse.”

FY15-SUCCESSES

SERVICES TO VICTIMS FROM

MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES

January 1- June 30, 2015

42% of clients who are immigrants were able to obtain work visas

Conducted targeted radio ads, resulting in a 20% increase in Latin@ clients accessing services in the following months

FY15-SUCCESSES

Victim who is three months pregnant Identified the baby, language and citizenship as primary barriers

Connected to Culturally Specific Provider who:Connected her to a hospital program for pre-natal treatment

Helped secure employmentFound permanent housingCurrently working toward citizenship

FY15-SUCCESSES

Staffi ng in rural IA

THEN: 1 bilingual advocate

NOW: 4 bilingual advocates

FY15-SUCCESSES

Amani (by and for the African American Community)

120 clients served

13 clients rent/utility assistance

66 clients provided assistance (food/gas cards) and transportation trips

3 clients assist with furniture after relocation

FY15-SUCCESSES

COLLABORATION

Rural Rec League

One presentation led to additional work at coaches clinics

Worked w/board members for weeks to create anti-bullying and gender equity policies

Implemented for entire regional rec league

FY15-SUCCESSES

Collaboration with the Park and Rec Board

Targeted homeless population at the RV park

Helped victims with utility and water hook-ups until housing found

FY15-SUCCESSES

County Public Health

Community Health Needs Assessment/Health Improvement Plan

Increase rural transportation options

Specifically around affordability and quality

FY15-SUCCESSES

Roll call with offi cers

Meet and greet

Brochure distribution

Training day arrangements

FY15-SUCCESSES

VOLUNTEERS

142% increase in number of volunteers

145% increase in hours volunteered (163,893 hours) 47,989 hours of these were working directly with

victims

These hours are the full time equivalent of 23 additional advocates

FY2014

One program reported an increase of 3,936 volunteer hours in 2015

Another program reported 12,331 volunteer hours

FY15-SUCCESSES

Once a month a retired nail technician provide manicures and pedicures to client

Doula services provided at a greatly reduced fee, or pro bono

Volunteer will mow yards

Rural craft store offering supplies, space and conducts alternative healing support groups for survivors

FY15-SUCCESSES

SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE SERVICES

THEN

Services in 36 of 99 counties

NOWStatewide coverage

In three of four regions, 100% of survivors have been connected to these advocates

Increase in % of funds to survivors of homicide programs

Client assistance to support health, safety, stability and self-suffi ciency of survivors

SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE SERVICES

DV homicide victim is an adult Native American woman Program made arrangements to have the victim’s

body transported from the Medical Examiner’s Office in Mid-Iowa to the victim’s reservation in another state for funeral proceedings.

The staff member also transported burial clothing for the victim at the family’s request.

FY15-SUCCESSES

Individuals witnessed the murder of an individual in front of them 6 years ago when they were teenagers. 

A triggering event caused them to seek out further counseling and support. 

One of the teenage witnesses, who was a college student had a significant reaction Assisted in taking a sabbatical from college classes,

without losing their scholarship Put in contact with a therapist and psychiatrist Support was provided to their parents, as they

became suicidal.  Victim has since stabilized and will be

returning to college this fall.

FY15-SUCCESSES

Program staff responded to the hospital to support the family after a baby died Staff assisted the family in securing shelter at the

local Ronald McDonald house Collaborated with the local Salvation Army so the

grandmother could return to her home by bus Collaborated with the local domestic violence

advocate for the mother Assisted the family in obtaining a bilingual priest to do

the service. 

FY15-SUCCESSES

The Survivors Program increased its community response, in light of recent homicides that have occurred in public venues with multiple witnesses (grocery store and another at a shopping mall).  Offered public meetings to give out information and

referrals/resources on trauma Collaborated with therapists in the area of the killings,

in order for witnesses to forego the waiting lists and be able to receive immediate services. 

FY15-SUCCESSES

Recent arrest in a 20 year old case Previous involvement with the survivors was more

than 8 years ago and the program was able to offer consistency and services

SUCCESSES

“I recently told someone, working as an advocate for homicide cases, we don’t always get the “big wins”, we don’t get

to spike the ball and declare victory; someone is still dead when they

shouldn’t be, there are still families who are heartbroken, however, our

opportunity to have a positive impact, to lessen their ongoing trauma, to assist them in moving forward, is present in

hundreds of small ways. It is imperative that we are able to be present in those

moments.”

FY15-SUCCESSES

EVERYTHING IS NOT ROSY

Staff on-call timeCollaborations take time to developOvercoming the politics of relationships with

past programsStaff transportation (wear and tear)Increased scrutiny and oversight is taxingMomentum, buy-in and patienceIncreased administrative/fiscal work

CHALLENGES

Insuffi cient number of advocatesGenerating a service demand that is diffi cult

to meetDistance supervisionRoles and responsibilities between

administrators and coalitionsAdvocate training and program technical

assistanceTraditional sheltering got harder!

CHALLENGES

Iowa Attorney General’s Offi ceIowa Department of Justice

Crime Victim Assistance Division

Janelle Melohn, 515-242-6109, janelle.melohn@iowa.gov

Donna Phill ips, 515-242-5121, donna.phill ips@iowa.gov

QUESTIONS