Family Justice Center Of Erie County Inc

JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES ERIE COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER COURT ADVOCACY PROGRAM

ERIE COUNTY HEARTH PROJECT

THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING PROGRAM (TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM) IS AUTHORIZED BY 34 U.S.C. 12351. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING WHO ARE HOMELESS, AS DEFINED BY 34 U.S.C. 12473(6), OR IN NEED OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OR OTHER HOUSING ASSISTANCE, AS A RESULT OF THEIR VICTIMIZATION, AND FOR WHOM EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES OR OTHER CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE UNAVAILABLE OR INSUFFICIENT. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS HOLISTIC, SURVIVOR-CENTERED APPROACHES TO PROVIDING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND SUPPORT SERVICES THAT MOVE INDIVIDUALS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND HELP THEM SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND INTEGRATE INTO A COMMUNITY. THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER OF ERIE COUNTY IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION LOCATED IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AN URBAN REGION OF THE STATE. THE ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE 15 SCATTERED SITE RESIDENCES FOR 15 SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH PRIVATE LANDLORD HOUSING UNITS. THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER OF ERIE COUNTY WILL COLLABORATE WITH ITS PARTNER, THE COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR EVERY 1, INC. TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC, VICTIM-CENTERED AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS CONTINUATION PROJECT WILL USE FUNDS TO PROVIDE BOTH HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO MOVE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING WHO ARE HOMELESS OR IN NEED OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO PERMANENT HOUSING. THE PROJECT WILL ASSIST CLIENTS FOR AN ANTICIPATED MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS AND A MAXIMUM LENGTH OF 24 MONTHS. SERVICES OFFERED WILL FOCUS ON MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE UNDERSERVED, DISABLED, AND THE LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY POPULATIONS IN THE REGION. THE GRANT ACTIVITIES WILL BE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE SURVIVORS. THE RANGE OF OPTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES: RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, SAFETY PLANNING, CHILDCARE, TRANSPORTATION, FINANCIAL AND CREDIT COUNSELING, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, JOB TRAINING, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, VICTIMS AND HOUSING ADVOCACY. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO HIRE AN ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBER TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS ONCE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED.