Signature Deadline: May 21, 2010.

It is often said that change is good and my transition presents new opportunities for DCCADV.  The Coalition’s transformation in the last five years has yielded extremely positive results for victims and survivors of domestic violence.  DCCADV and its membership have strengthened partnerships, enhanced training efforts with law enforcement and member advocates, increased statutory rights and protections for victims and survivors and successfully increased the number of emergency and transitional shelter beds in the city.  As a coalition we can all be proud. 

Our strength as a community of providers has been the linchpin for increased credibility and influence with policy makers and systems’ leadership.  Government leaders increasingly rely upon the Coalition’s knowledge and membership resources as they evaluate the effects of new policies or legislation.  This is a testament to the vision and shared expertise all of you bring to strengthening the Coalition.  When you think of the Coalition, think of yourselves and your roles in our successes.

Last year, Councilmember Phil Mendelson commended the Coalition for its memberships’ expertise and ability to galvanize to educate about the needs of victims and survivors.  This statement truly reflects the added value we bring as a cohesive group with shared priorities.  Councilmember Mendelson indicated that he wished more organizations worked together to present a plan that addresses the communities they represent.  I can think of no higher compliment that attests to our victories on behalf of those facing the challenges of domestic abuse.

As we embark upon funding advocacy for FY11, our power as a coalition is critical and will continue to be recognized among policy makers.  At no other time during my tenure at the Coalition have we faced such difficult funding challenges.  In the next fiscal year, the DC Government faces a $500 million budget deficit.  As such, we must unify to make our most convincing case for sustained funding.

The Coalition is preparing not only a plan that represents the needs of our membership but also new revenue generating ideas that the District Council can use to create long-term funding for services.  No matter what the future brings, the Coalition will remain united and our city’s leadership will recognize and respond to our shared resolve to better the lives of those we serve.

Finally, I want to thank the Coalition staff and board of directors for their outstanding work.  In the last 15 months alone, we have jointly helped change city policy on workplace violence, trained and educated hundreds of member program staff and community stakeholders, repeatedly educated policy makers on the effects of proposed legislation, and begun the overhaul of our website to better serve membership and the community.  All of this is just a snapshot of our work and it was all achieved by a brilliant and committed group of folks that never waivered from addressing the needs of victims and survivors of domestic violence and the organizations that serve them.  I am extremely gratified to know that their leadership will continue to strengthen the coalition in the years to come.

All the best,

Ken

By: Shawndell N. Dawson, Communications & Organizational Advancement Director

The National Network to End Domestic Violence’s (NNEDV) Domestic Violence Census Report released on March 8, 2010 sheds new light on access to domestic violence services here in the District.

For the fourth consecutive year, NNEDV conducted a one-day, unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the U.S. We documented:

• The number of individuals who sought services.
• Types of services requested.
• Number of service requests unmet due to lack of resources.
• Issues and barriers that domestic violence programs face as they strive to provide services to victims of domestic violence.

We’re excited to announce that every one of the District’s core domestic violence service providers participated in this one day count including: Ayuda, Break the Cycle, DAWN, DASH, House of Ruth, My Sister’s Place, Ramona’s Way, SAFE, and WEAVE.

In just one day, 394 victims of domestic violence received services through various channels  including: emergency shelters, transitional housing, legal advocacy and individual support.  On that same day, 40 hotline calls were answered and 40 individuals received training on domestic violence prevention and early intervention.

We have observed the heightened demand for the District’s services despite funding cuts.  This shortfall poses incredible resource challenges for victims of domestic violence, and NNEDV’s census report clearly illustrates this point.  Unfortunately, there were 101 unmet requests, resulting in unmet need.  Sadly, 101 women and children were turned away due to resource strain including staffing challenges, increased funding limitations, and housing shortages for emergency shelter and transitional housing.

DCCADV is gravely concerned for the safety of victims and their children who now have fewer options as abuse escalates and the funding for local domestic violence programs continues to dwindle.   In the face of a grim economic forecast, we are working proactively to ensure that the needs of victims and survivors are recognized and prioritized by policy makers.

For more information about the domestic violence census for Washington, DC click here.

By: Rebecca O’Connor, Policy Director

DCCADV’s Policy Department hit the ground running in 2010, working to advance an ambitious policy agenda and responding to legislation filed by the D.C. Council and Mayor Fenty’s Administration.  In addition to securing funding for core services in the District, we are also working to address discrimination by employers and insurers against victims and survivors.

Recently, Councilmember Muriel Bowser introduced the Healthcare Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence Reform Act of 2010, which amends the D.C. Code to prohibit insurers from discriminating against victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.  The District is one of only a handful of jurisdictions that remains without this protection. This legislation reflects of recommendations that the Coalition provided to Mayor Fenty’s Administration. The Coalition will offer testimony in support of the legislation March 24th.

In January, Councilmember Kwame Brown introduced one of our 2010 Policy Priorities, The Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board Extension Act of 2010. This bill repeals the sunset provision that would conclude the Board’s function, thus ensuring board members can continue the review of domestic violence related deaths.  This will help meet the underlying objectives of preventing these deaths in the future and preserving victim safety.

We are also actively monitoring measures introduced that have unintended consequences for victims and survivors. For example, in November, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) entered into a  Memorandum Of Understanding with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (formerly INS) to implement a federal ICE program known as Secure Communities in the District.  Under this program, MPD will send the fingerprints of those arrested for certain offenses to ICE. The fingerprints are run through the agency’s databases for a ‘hit’ –indicating that the person may be undocumented.  ICE is then authorized to begin deportation efforts. In an effort to address the significant concerns associated with this type of monitoring DCCADV has convened a working group to focus specifically on the implications of this new program for the DV community. On March 19^th, we, together with member organization representatives, presented testimony at MPD’s Performance Oversight Hearing.  At the hearing, Chief Lanier made it clear that she has heard the community’s concerns and she made a commitment to work to exempt domestic violence-related arrests from the Secure Communities Program if and when it is implemented.  We continue to work with MPD to ensure this promise is fulfilled.

The Policy Department has also turned its focus to the District’s FY11 budget cycle.  Within this difficult economy, we are working proactively to ensure that the needs of victims and survivors are recognized and addressed by policy makers.  In FY11, on behalf of our member programs, the Coalition is requesting $2 million to sustain core, non-residential domestic violence programs and services in FY11.  In addition, the Coalition supports the city’s domestic violence shelters in their pursuit to ensure the District’s long term commitment to domestic violence housing, including, if necessary, accessing the Domestic Violence Shelter Fund.   In March, the Coalition, joined by many member programs and survivors who courageously shared their stories, officially launched this campaign by testifying at the Office of Victim Services’ Performance Oversight Hearing.

The Policy Department is also working with the D.C. Superior Court to provide training for their personnel, including interpreters. This initiative has been met with enthusiasm by the Court and we hope to ensure ours is a gold standard training that can be institutionalized.

We’re very excited to announce that we have also convened a new working group– Survivor Engagement and Empowerment (“SEE”) Working Group as an opportunity for survivors of domestic violence to have a hand in shaping key initiatives and messaging. The group met for the first time in December of 2009. Participants, including providers working closely with survivors, are invited to provide insight and recommendations regarding our policy initiatives and to participate in systems advocacy and outreach. We will continue to keep the community aware of developments in our work and welcome questions.

Brightening a child’s holiday creates a joy that extends well beyond that one moment.  With the onset of one of the worst financial downturns in recent history, families are experiencing more need than ever. This year, through the generosity of community members and our partnerships, we were able to provide those families in need with assistance this holiday season.

Our 2009 Holiday Gift Drive was a tremendous success with more than $3,000 in gifts collected and distributed to more than 25 families.

DCCADV would like to graciously thank the staff at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Amgen for their commitment and dedication to this project. Spanning the past four years, both organizations have given time, energy and resources to DCCADV’s Holiday Gift Drive.   With their help we have collected thousands in gifts for families who depend on us.

Special thanks to our new 2009 Holiday Gift Drive donors:

• American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
• Consumer Health Care Products Association
• Return Peace Corps Volunteers
• Westat

Special thanks to our longstanding Holiday Drive donors:

Amgen is a leading human therapeutics company in the biotechnology industry. For more than 25 years, the company has tapped the power of scientific discovery and innovation to advance the practice of medicine. As a Fortune 500 company serving millions of patients, Amgen continues to be an entrepreneurial, science-driven enterprise dedicated to helping people fight serious illness.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects.

For 2010, the Communications Department focus is to increase the ways in which you connect with each other as well the Coalition’s staff.  We have many exciting changes on the horizon and we will continue to keep you all updated.

We are integrating all communication into the latest digital formats including use of content management systems and development of social media channels. Our intention is to make our resources more accessible to all in the community and make it easier to partner with others.   Coalition members, supporters and allies will have three new opportunities to connect with DCCADV including: our digital newsletter, a redesigned website, and a Facebook Fan Page.

Digital Newsletter

Going digital not only efficiently saves resources during challenging economic times, but also helps you easily share DCCADV’s resources and information. The latest newsletter issue will be announced via email with a link that directly connects you to our newsletter online  www.dccadvnewsletter.wordpress.com.

Enhanced Website

Our website is housed on a new platform improving website accessibility options for persons with disabilities, updating content sharing options, and eventually offering a private section exclusively for DCCADV members.  The new website with enhanced features will launch this April.

Facebook

We’ve created a Facebook and Facebook Causes pages to help us bridge new connections with even more supporters in the coming year.  Our pages can be used as resources for supporters, allies and members to network, raise awareness, and share DCCADV’s story.  Volunteer opportunities, special event announcements, and action alerts will be shared through our pages.  You can log on and become a fan today by clicking here.

Your feedback is vitally important to us as we adapt these new formats; please email any comments or questions to newsletter@dccadv.org.

DCCADV’s Training Department began the new year with an advanced training topic: The D.C. Language Access Act of 2004, held on February 23rd. Upcoming advance training topics include a panel presentation on the intersection between intimate partner violence and HIV/AIDs and the new lethality assessment project in D.C..  Additional details will be announced via our listerv as well as on our website, so please stay tuned.

Domestic Violence Advocate Core Competency Training (DVACT)
Our Domestic Violence Advocate Core Competency Training has something for everyone. Through this training Advocates, both new and seasoned, have opportunities to study the dynamics of domestic violence, including trauma resulting from abuse, crisis intervention, personal safety, risk management, criminal and civil court processes, and resources available to those affected by domestic violence. DCCADV will be offering this 48 hour training again in the Fall so that advocates are in compliance with the District’s statutory advocate testimonial privilege.  This training is free for all DCCADV member agency staff and volunteers.

Other Training Opportunities
As we transition into spring, we are excited to help draft various curricula for Project PEER, D.C. Courts, foreign language and ASL interpreters, and law enforcement. Additionally, we are working hard to build collaborative relationships between domestic violence service providers and MPD officers in support of the recently mandated Lethality Assessment Project. And, as always, we are out in the community doing our best to increase awareness about domestic violence amongst local service providers.

Delta Prep is a state-wide initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to advance a national intimate partner violence primary prevention movement. As a Delta Prep member, The DC Coalition is committed to integrating primary prevention into Coalition policies and practices, training staff and board members, and building local capacity to foster this essential work in our community. Project activities are based on the social ecological model which states that sustainable change must happen on the individual, relationship, community and societal levels simultaneously. As we begin taking steps to incorporate this vital programming in our organizational goals, we hope to include several components that lead to a collective of individuals and organization committed to ending violence before it begins.

Project PEER– a collaborative endeavor with the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute, Anchor Mental Health, D.C. Rape Crisis Center, Project ACTION!, Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, Ramona’s Way, The Roc and DCCADV–strives to ensure victims and survivors of domestic violence who have disabilities will have access to high quality, seamless supports that are person-centered and responsive to each survivor’s needs. This year we begin the third and final phase of our project implementation. Using valuable information gathered during the needs assessment phase, we have developed five work groups to oversee upcoming activities: Collaboration, Staff Development, Policy, Women’s Skills and Knowledge, and Confidentiality, Guardianship and Mandatory Reporting.