Volume 11. Issue 3. March 18, 2014

In This Issue

Greetings from Executive Director

2014 NYS Budget Action Alert

2014 Legislative Advocacy Day

OVS Crime Victim Compensation Survey

DV & Housing Insecurity

State Hotline

Amanda Norjeko Honored

SHELTER Concert

Finding Safety & Support - Updated!

NYSCADV Member Program Spotlinght

NO MORE Week

Funding for Rape Kit Backlog

Social Security Field Office Changes

Women's History Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

NNEDV Tech Safety Blog

SAMHSA Phone App

Apple Security Flaw

TEDWomen: Esta Soler

Funding Opportunities

Housing Resources

Tax Season Resources

New VAWNet Special Collection

Pets & Domestic Violence

Conferences

Webinars

National Employment Opportunities

Welcome

Greetings from Executive Director, Connie Neal!

New York is number 3.

On September 17, 2013, the National Network to End Domestic Violence conducted a one-day unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the United States. A key finding from the "2013 Domestic Violence Counts: A 24-Hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services" is this:

New York has the 3rd largest demand for domestic violence services in the country!

On the day of the census, 4,589 victims were served in New York. Just as important, there were 572 unmet requests for services (primarily counseling, housing, legal representation, and financial assistance).

A coalition only becomes stronger when more

individuals, programs, organizations, and allies

join forces together for a common cause. I ask that

you become an active member of NYSCADV today.

More than ever, we need your support and commitment to being a part of the social change necessary to end domestic violence in New York. You can call or email us, or visit the Become A Member section of our website for more information on becoming a member.

Numbers and statistics can be startling, especially when there are predictions that the demand for services will only continue to increase. By joining the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, you can take a proactive role in the movement to prevent and end domestic violence.

All the best,

Connie

Around the State

2014 New York State Budget Action Alert

Please call, email, or mail your legislators this week to ensure adequate funding for domestic violence related services! (Follow this link to find out who your New York State Assembly Member is; follow this link to find out who your New York State Senator is.) You are all welcome to use our letters as templates for your communication with the legislature. Click here for our letter to the Assembly, here for our letter to the Senate, and here for our letter to the Governor. In addition to contacting your legislators, we ask that you convey similar messages to the leadership of both houses and the chairs of relevant committees.

NYSCADV Legislative Advocacy Day 2014

Over the last 30 years, many laws have been created that improve victim safety and offender accountability. Yet, gaps remain that create barriers for victims of domestic violence to achieve safety, freedom, and justice. Come to Albany to educate the legislature about ways to CLOSE THE GAPS!

When:

April 29, 2014

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Where:

Hearing Room C

Legislative Office Building

Albany, NY

Follow this link for more information and to register for Legislative Advocacy Day 2014.

Who is Underserved? Why are they Underserved?

A Survey Related to OVS Crime Victim Compensation Benefits

The Social Justice Committee of the Advisory Council to the NYS Office of Victim Services has developed a survey to identify communities and people who may face barriers in accessing crime victim compensation awards. The survey is brief (should take less than 10 minutes to complete), and we would like to get as many people as possible to complete the survey no later than March 31st!

This is for all programs, service providers, and advocates who serve marginalized communities, whether or not they have any OVS funding, and whether or not they specifically support clients or constituents in completing their OVS compensation benefits applications. As long as you inform your clients or talk about crime victim compensation with them, and might know why they do or do not apply, please take the survey.

Follow this link to participate in the "Who is Underserved? Why are they Underserved?" OVS survey.

Domestic Violence and Housing Insecurity: Federal and Local Protections, and the Rising Issue of Nuisance Ordinances Webinar

This is an update to the training announcement that we sent on March 3, 2014. NYSCADV is partnering with the ACLU Women's Rights Project, Empire Justice Center, the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV), and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) to offer a webinar on domestic violence and housing insecurity.

Due to popular demand, CLE has been added to this webinar training and we have changed webinar providers to accommodate the tremendous RSVP response so far. One and a half credits* of CLE in the category of Professional Practice will now be available to webinar participants.

If you have not yet registered, please use the below link. If you are already registered, there is no need to re-register-even if you want CLE credit. We have carried over your registrations to the new service.

Invitation:

The ACLU Women's Rights Project, Empire Justice Center, the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV), and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) invite you to a webinar on the intersection of domestic violence and housing insecurity. One and a half credits of CLE in the category of Professional Practice will be available to participants.

When?

Thursday March 27th, 2014 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EDT

Where?

At your desk

Who should attend?

Domestic violence advocates, legal services providers in the areas of housing and domestic violence, fair housing advocates, and all other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

Presenters:

Sandra Park, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU Women's Rights Project
Michaela Wallin, Equal Justice Works Fellow, ACLU Women's Rights Project
Amy Schwartz & Michael Hanley, Senior Staff Attorneys, Empire Justice Center
Elizabeth Bliss, Director of Programs, NYSCADV
Ellen Schell, Counsel, OPDV

Description:

The impact of local nuisance ordinances on domestic violence survivors will also be discussed. Nuisance ordinances penalize property owners and tenants when police provide aid or respond to a home for "nuisance activities" over a certain number of times, pressuring landlords to evict the tenants at issue or face stiff sanctions. These laws promote discrimination and endanger victims of domestic violence by increasing their already severe housing insecurity and preventing them from calling 911 when threatened by abuse. This webinar will outline possible challenges to these ordinances, which are proliferating across New York State.

Follow this link to register for the Domestic Violence and Housing Insecurity:Federal and Local Protections, and the Rising Issue of Nuisance Ordinances webinar.

Questions? Please contact Michaela Wallin (mwallin@aclu.org)

*Empire Justice Center has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited provider of continuing legal education in the State of New York. This program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the Continuing Legal Board for a maximum of 1.5 CLE credit hours, of which 1.5 can be applied towards the Professional Practice requirement. Empire Justice Center reserves the right to adjust CLE credit given for this course based upon the actual length of the webinar. This course is both transitional and non-transitional and is appropriate for both new and experienced attorneys. However, due to CLE rules regarding non-traditional format courses, new attorneys with two years or less experience are not eligible for CLE credit.

New York State Domestic Violence Hotline Announcement

The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) has announced that the NYS Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Hotline has changed. The Hotline is now a multi-lingual line, and the old TTY number has been retired. Please update your listing as follows:

NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline

1-800-942-6906

English & espa�ol

Multi-language Accessibility

711 National Relay Service if you are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

The Hotline responds to and is a resource for victims of domestic and sexual violence, concerned others, and professionals, 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Trained hotline counselors provide a variety of services including: crisis intervention; crisis counseling; advocacy, information, and referral services; and technical support to providers. For any questions regarding the hotline, call OPDV at 518-457-5800.

NYSCADV Board Member Amanda Norejko Receives the Lawyers' Committee Against Domestic Violence's In the Trenches Award

We are proud to announce that NYSCADV Board Member and Sanctuary for Families Matrimonial/Economic Justice Project Director, Amanda Norejko has received the Lawyers' Committee Against Domestic Violence's "In the Trenches" award. This award honors advocates and public officials who have proven their commitment to ending the scourge of domestic violence by taking concrete action and making a real impact on the lives of victims. Each winner has shown extraordinary dedication to this cause and exercised wise leadership. Winners receive their awards during the Fordham Forum on Domestic Violence held each year at Fordham Law School. Congratulations, Amanda!

SHELTER - A Concert to Benefit Victims of Domestic Violence

In SHELTER, a short film directed by musician-activist Natalie Merchant, a group of women living in the Mid-Hudson region of New York State respond to the crisis of domestic violence in their community with compassion and creativity. Musicians, advocates, criminal prosecutors, victims and survivors take to the stage, illuminating the darkness surrounding this public health epidemic. To view the full concert, visit the SHELTER film website. Also, NYSCADV will have copies of the film available for distribution at Legislative Advocacy Day.

Congratulations to NYSCADV member programs Grace Smith House (Dutchess County) and The Washbourne House (Ulster County) for their involvement in this excellent awareness opportunity.

Finding Safety & Support

OPDV has released an updated English version of "Finding Safety & Support". The publication includes new information, laws, common questions and more. OPDV reports that a Spanish version will be released in the near future. Follow this link to the OPDV homepage where you can download an electronic copy of "Finding Safety & Support".

NYSCADV Member Program Spotlight

ASPCA, Purina Partner with Urban Resource Institute (URI)

The URIPALS (People and Animals Living Safely) program had two exciting announcements over the last month. In late February the ASPCA awarded URI a $75,000 grant to ensure both clients and pets residing in URI's largest emergency shelter receive the support and services they need to heal and move forward with their lives. Follow this link for more information on the ASPCA / URI Partnership.

On March 18th, URIPALS announced it's officially opening its doors to families with dogs! Purina has partnered with URI to build the first ever dog park in a domestic violence shelter, called the Purina Play Haven and Dog Park. Follow this link for more information on the Purina/URI partnership.

The Retreat & Brighter Tomorrows Partner in Electronic Petitioning

The Retreat and Brighter Tomorrows have partnered to offer a new, streamlined automated process for bringing petitions to court on behalf of victims. Both programs completed the "Domestic Violence Advocate Assisted Petition Program training in December. The program replaces manually hand-written documents with a web-based system that is directly integrated into the Family Court's case management system. Follow this link for more information on the electronic petitioning pilot program.

Around the Nation

NO MORE Week 2014

March 17-24, 2014 marks the first anniversary of the NO MORE campaign's launch. The NO MORE campaign will be hosting activities in Washington DC with allied partners, public officials, military offices and state coalitions. While events unfold, they are asking supporters from across the country to participate and join in sharing the NO MORE message. Download Suggested Activities for NO MORE Week 2014 for ideas about how you can participate!

Rape Kit Backlog Funding Proposed in Executive Budget

President Obama's FY2015 budget proposal includes (for the first time) $35 million in dedicated funding to provide cities across the country with the vital resources they need to help end the nationwide rape kit backlog. This new funding will provide local communities resources to test backlogged kits in their police storage facilities, create multi-disciplinary teams to investigate and prosecute cases connected to the backlog, and address the need for victim notification and re-engagement with the criminal justice system. Follow this link for more information on the Joyful Heart Foundation's work to end the backlog.

Social Security Field Office Changes

Beginning August 2014, the Social Security Administration will no longer issue Social Security number printouts in their field offices. Individuals who need proof of their Social Security number and cannot find their card, will need to apply for a replacement card. In addition, beginning October 2014, field offices will stop providing benefit verification letters, except in emergency situations. Benefit verifications are available online, and can be obtained anytime by registering for a my Social Security account located at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, or requested through their national toll-free number: 1(800)772-1213.

Women's History Month - Presidential Proclamation

"Throughout our Nation's history, American women have led movements for social and economic justice, made groundbreaking scientific discoveries, enriched our culture with stunning works of art and literature, and charted bold directions in our foreign policy. They have served our country with valor, from the battlefields of the Revolutionary War to the deserts of Iraq and mountains of Afghanistan. During Women's History Month, we recognize the victories, struggles, and stories of the women who have made our country what it is today." Follow this link for the full text of the 2014 Presidential Proclamation and links to other resources.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month - April 2014

In the United States April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). During SAAM activists raise awareness about sexual violence and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent it. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has developed a 2014 Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign focusing on healthy sexuality and young people.

One of the many resources available as part of this awareness campaign is "An Overview in Healthy Adolescent Development" which is an excellent tool for domestic violence services program staff to increase their knowledge on this topic as well as provide learning opportunities for the people who seek domestic violence services, such as through a workshop for shelter residents. Follow this link for resources and more information on the 2014 SAAM Campaign.

Technology Corner

NNEDV Tech Safety Blog

Follow this link to check out NNEDV's new tech safety blog post, "Revenge Porn and the Distribution of Sexually Explicit Images: What's Consent Have to do with it?" The blog offers background about their new publication "Images, Consent, & Abuse", which provides relevant information about revenge porn and similar online & privacy concerns.

SAMHSA Releases Phone App to Help Disaster Responders

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a smartphone app with behavioral health information and resources for responders providing support to survivors of disasters. Follow this link for more information and to download the SAMHSA Behavioral Health Disaster Response app.

Apple Products Contain Major Security Flaw

In late February, a major security flaw in Apple mobile devices and computers was revealed. The flaw allows hackers to impersonate websites and intercept data before passing the user onto the actual website. In addition, hackers can also insert malicious links into people's emails and gain control over target computers. An update has been released for all iPhones and iPads, and can be installed by going to Settings / General / Software Updates. Apple is currently working on a fix for computers. Apple computer users should avoid unsecured WiFi until the software patch is available and installed. Follow this link to read the full article about Apple iOS and OS X major security compromise.

TEDWomen: Esta Soler

This powerful, sweeping, optimistic TEDWomen Talk, How We Turned the Tide on Domestic Violence (Hint: The Polaroid Helped), by Esta Soler, charts 30 years of tactics and technologies - from the Polaroid camera to social media - that led to a 64% drop in domestic violence in the United States.

Funding Opportunities

RedRover Domestic Violence Safe Housing Grants

Together with Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T), RedRover Domestic Violence Safe Housing grants enable organizations that provide emergency sheltering for victims of domestic violence to create space to house pets of domestic violence victims on-site with their families where little to no pet housing was previously available. Grants are intended to bridge a critical gap in funding to enable the pet housing project to begin. It is expected that the funds will enable the shelter of at least one pet within one year after project completion. Follow this link for more information and to apply for a RedRover Domestic Violence Safe Housing Grant.

Resources

Housing Resources:

NNEDV Launches Transitional Housing Online Toolkit

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is proud to formally launch the new Transitional Housing Toolkit, an online resource library for transitional housing programs serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking throughout the country. This online toolkit allows transitional housing programs to easily and independently access a wealth of resources and ensures that they have the information needed to enhance their important work with survivors. Follow this link for more information and to access the NNEDV Transitional Housing Online Toolkit.

Tax Season Resources:

VITA

VITA is a free, IRS-sponsored program to help low and middle-income workers have their federal and State personal income taxes prepared and filed electronically at no cost, with the option of using direct deposit to receive their refund in as few as 10 days. VITA also ensures that workers receive all the tax credits to which they are entitled. Every county in New York State has at least one VITA site. Follow this link to find the closest VITA site.

Free E-file

For individuals and families with a combined income of under $58,000 in 2013 that are interested in e-filing federal and state taxes on their own without assistance from VITA, the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recommends myfreetaxes.com.

TAXTravaganza

Queens Legal Services has released the second video in their TAXTravaganza Video Series brought to you by the DVVEJ-Financial Development Subcommittee. This video is on Common Barriers Domestic Violence Survivors Face When Filing Taxes. Follow this link to view the TAXTravaganza video.

VAWNet Special Collections:

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Other Tax Credits (Updated for 2014)

Over thirty-five years ago, Congress authorized a federal tax credit program called the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Since its inception, the EITC has been heralded as one of the most successful anti-poverty strategies in the United States, and numerous other tax credit programs have followed. This collection highlights key resources for the EITC, the Child Tax Credit, Health Coverage Tax Credits, and others. The collection is organized into 8 key sections - EITC: General Information and Fact Sheets;Tax Credits and Public Benefits Eligibility; Population-Specific EITC Considerations and Programs;Laws and Public Policy; Reports and Research; State Specific Information; Other Tax Credits for Low Income Individuals and Families; Free Tax Preparation Services. Follow this link to access the EITC and Other Tax Credits special collection.

Domestic Violence in Latin@ Communities

Casa de Esperanza and its national project, The National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities, compiled the resources for this NRCDV collection, which reflects many years of work at the intersections of gender-based violence and Latin@ communities. Understanding and honoring the great diversity that exists within Latin@ communities is a key component in delivering effective interventions and trauma-informed responses to address the violence. To that end, this special collection provides a compilation of tools and resources developed specifically by Latin@s and for Latin@s as well as culturally adapted materials (not simply translations) to address domestic violence in Latin@ communities. Follow this link to access the Domestic Violence in Latin@ Communities special collection.

Preventing and Responding to Teen Dating Violence (Updated for 2014) This special collection emphasizes collaborative and multi-level approaches to the prevention of and response to teen dating violence (TDV). It draws on the work of many organizations and organizes the resources on TDV prevention and responses by different populations. The first section of this special collection provides general information about teen dating violence. The next six sections include TDV information related to: 1) young people, 2) parents and caregivers, 3) men and boys, 4) teachers and school-based professionals, 5) health care professionals, 6) pregnancy prevention programs, and 7) domestic violence and sexual violence service providers. The final section presents documents on TDV-related laws and legislation. The special collection concludes with examples of national programs that address TDV and a list of national organizations. Follow this link to access the Preventing and Responding to Teen Dating Violence special collection.

Pets & Domestic Violence

Safe Havens for Pets of Domestic Violence Victims

The Animal Welfare Institute has updated and expanded its Safe Havens Mapping Project for Pets of Domestic Violence Victims. This directory is a valuable resource for domestic violence (DV) victims and their family members, friends, and advocates, as well as for judges, law enforcement, veterinarians, and animal protection and mental health professionals. Follow this link for the Safe Havens for Pets of Domestic Violence Victims interactive map.

Conferences

Beyond Stranger Danger: Uncovering the Truth About Child Sex Abuse
Hosted by VIBS Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center
Central Islip, NY - Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College
April 11, 2014

The goal of this event is to bring together community stakeholders to share knowledge and ideas about how to prevent and respond to sexual assault. This event will be open to the entire community, drawing participants from various fields, including law enforcement, education, and other human service agencies. The day's events will include a continental breakfast and networking lunch, morning panel session, workshops, and closing plenary address.

The focus of this event will be on the prevention of and response to child sexual assault. Throughout the conference we will highlight Enough Abuse Suffolk, one of three New York pilot sites participating in the Enough Abuse Campaign. This campaign, developed in Massachusetts with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), focuses on adult and community responsibility to prevent child sexual abuse. Follow this link for more information and to register for the Beyond Stranger Danger: Uncovering the Truth About Child Sex Abuse conference.

Confronting Family and Community Violence - The Intersection of Law and Psychology
Hosted by the American Psychological Association and the American Bar Association
Washington, D.C. - Washington Marriott Wardman Park
May 1-3, 2014

APA and ABA are joining together to co-sponsor this continuing education national conference, addressing the broad range of issues related to the exposure of children, youth and families to violence in and around the home, community and society.

The conference will:

Present nearly 40 plenary and invited sessions addressing prevention and intervention. View the program for details about sessions and speakers.
Focus on violence across individual, family, community and social contexts.
Have broad appeal to psychologists, attorneys, judges, legal scholars, behavioral and social science scholars, social workers, and other professionals in legal, mental health, social service and education fields.
Offer continuing education credits to both psychologists and attorneys (CE and CLE).

Close with a networking session, to give participants an opportunity to exchange information and views about critical issues and promote strategies for addressing violence.

The conference welcomes U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as keynote speaker. He joins the conference to build on recent national efforts to address the effects of violence on children, youth and families, including his Defending Childhood initiative. According to the initiative's findings, more than 60 percent of American children have been exposed to crime, abuse and violence. Both direct and indirect exposure to violence is having a profound, negative impact on the mental and emotional development of young people across the country. Children exposed to violence are also at a higher risk of engaging in criminal behavior later in life and becoming part of a cycle of violence. Follow this link for more information and to register for Confronting Family and Community Violence Conference.

Synergy: Addressing the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children
Hosted by the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center
Portland, Oregon
May 6-8, 2014

The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, in partnership with the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the WomenSpirit Coalition and the Indian Country Childhood Trauma Center, is hosting a training institute focusing on the impact of domestic violence on children. Follow this link for more information and to register for the Synergy: Addressing the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children conference.

Webinars

Trauma-Informed Care Part 2: The Nuts & Bolts of Immigration Story Writing Intervention

Hosted by Legal Momentum
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT

Presenters: Mary Ann Dutton, Ph.D., Georgetown University Medical Center, Center for Trauma and the Community; Leslye Orloff, Director, National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project, NIWAP, American University Washington College of Law; Mercedes V. Lorduy, Co-Director, VIDA Legal Assistance, Inc.; Edna Yang, General Counsel, American Gateways

This 90-minute webinar will be the last in a series of seven webinars designed to support Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), grantees working with immigrant survivors of violence. This webinar builds on a previous broadcast "Trauma-Informed Care: Promoting Healing While Strengthening Survivors' Immigration Case". All registrants should review Part I prior to the second broadcast for background and details about victim based immigration remedies In this sequel, presenters will offer a tested and trauma sensitive tool, helpful resources, and effective strategies to facilitate the immigration story writing intervention. The focus will be on helping advocates obtain in-depth details from survivors, identify patterns of coercive control, and promote healing as they build stronger immigration relief applications. Follow this link to register for Trauma-Informed Care Part 2: The Nuts & Bolts of Immigration Story Writing Intervention

Women are Sacred - Indigenous Creation Story Series

Hosted by National Indigenous Women's Resource Center

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

3:00 PM EDT

Winter, a time when Mother Earth is resting, is a time when Indigenous people tell their stories. It is during this winter season that NIWRC is offering this webinar series on stories from various tribal cultures that speak to the sacredness of women. Women are sacred is a belief that is central to most Native cultures across this great Turtle Island. These stories teach us about the sacred role of women within our societies. These stories have been handed down from generation to generation since the beginning of time. Please join us by registering for this sixth in a series of Indigenous stories. The next story in the series is: White Buffalo Calf Woman, Tillie Black Bear, Sicangu Lakota Nation, founding mother of the movement to end violence against women

Follow this link if you would like to hear the first five stories in this Women are Sacred series.

Follow this link to register for the 6th Women are Sacred series webinar.

Firearms and Domestic Violence
Hosted by Battered Women's Justice Project
Friday, March 21, 2014
2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
Presenters: Daniel W. Webster, ScD, MPH is Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research and lead editor and contributor for Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013); Shannon Frattaroli, PhD is an Associate Director for Outreach at the Center for Injury Research and Policy and an Associate Professor in the Health Policy and Management Department at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Eugenio Carral J.D. serves as the Domestic Violence Division Director for the Administrative Office of the Courts for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida in Miami Dade County.

The faculty will discuss research on firearms in the context of severe and fatal domestic violence. They will address the risks posed by firearms of both homicide and suicide, health impacts of gun injuries, as well as prevention and retrieval initiatives. The system operative in the Miami-Dade courts for identification, surrender and retrieval, search and seizure, storage, and return will be examined. Forms utilized in the firearms retrieval process will be considered. Follow this link for more information and to register for Firearms and Domestic Violence.

Supporting LGBTQ Youth in the Sex Trades

Hosted by the Northwest Network

Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

3:00 - 4:30 PM EDT

Presenters: Shannon Perez-Darby, Youth Programs Manager, and Kristina Armenakis, Youth Community Advocate

This webinar will look at the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning youth who exchange sex for money, clothing, drugs, a place to stay or other survival needs. This webinar is designed to start the conversation to equip advocates and youth workers with the skills and framework necessary to help support LGBT youth in the sex trades. We will be exploring topics around youth self-determination, harm reduction strategies, impacts of anti-trafficking legislation on LGBTQ youth as well as specific support for trans youth and boys in the sex trades. Follow this link to register for Supporting LGBTQ Youth in the Sex Trades.

Intimate Partner Violence in the United States - 2010: Implications for Prevention
Hosted by California Coalition Against Sexual Assault & PreventConnect
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT
Presenters: Matthew Breiding, Ph.D., Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Janelle Moos, CAWS North Dakota and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Council

In February 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new report, Intimate Partner Violence in the United States - 2010, describing the prevalence and context of intimate partner violence(IPV) victimization using data from the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). Findings discuss IPV victimization, frequency, severity, patterns, need for services, and impacts to more fully convey this public health burden. In the web conference, CDC's Matt Breiding will describe the findings of the report. We will then explore the implications for prevention of domestic violence, sexual violence and dating violence. Follow this link for more information and to register for Intimate Partner Violence in the United States - 2010: Implications for Prevention.

Supporting Parents of Children Affected by Domestic Violence: Ten Important Topics

Hosted by Battered Women's Justice Project
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
3:00 - 4:30 PM EDT
Presenters: The Domestic Violence Workgroup, National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Miriam Berkman, JD, LCSW, Ptivate Praactice Clinician, New Haven, CT; Rebecca Brown, LCSW, Clinical/Implementation Coordinator, Portland Defending Childhood/The Maine Children's Initiative Community Counseling Center, Portland, Maine; Betsy McAlister Groves, LICSW, Boston Medical Center/Child Witness to Violence Project, Harvard University Graduate School of Education/Human Development & Psychology Program; Edwina Reyes, LMFT, CSAC, Vice-President of Ho'oko LLC, Waipahu, Hawaii

Drawing from the knowledge of domestic violence survivors, advocates, mental health clinicians and research, the Domestic Violence Workgroup of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed a series of 10 fact sheets written specifically for parents of children who are affected by domestic violence. This webinar will review the topics covered in the fact sheets. Presenters are members of the workgroup who wrote the fact sheets and they have extensive experience in a range of settings, working with children and families affected by domestic violence. Follow this link for more information and to register for Supporting Parents of Children Affected by Domestic Violence: Ten Important Topics.

Domestic Violence and Housing Insecurity: Federal and Local Protections, and the Rising Issue of Nuisance Ordinances

Hosted by the ACLU Women's Rights Project, Empire Justice Center, NYSCADV & OPDV

Thursday, March 27th, 2014

2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT

Presenters: Sandra Park, Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU Women's Rights Project; Michaela Wallin, Equal Justice Works Fellow, ACLU Women's Rights Project;Amy Schwartz, Staff Attorney, Empire Justice Center; Elizabeth Bliss, Director of Programs, NYSCADV; Ellen Schell, Counsel, OPDV

Domestic violence can often be a barrier to accessing and maintaining housing, and housing insecurity can undermine a survivor's efforts to escape abuse. This webinar will outline housing protections for domestic violence victims, including new housing provisions in the reauthorized Violence Against Women Act of 2013, claims under the federal Fair Housing Act, and relevant state and local laws. The impact of local nuisance ordinances on domestic violence survivors will also be discussed. Nuisance ordinances penalize property owners and tenants when police provide aid or respond to a home for "nuisance activities" over a certain number of times, pressuring landlords to evict the tenants at issue or face stiff sanctions. These laws promote discrimination and endanger victims of domestic violence by increasing their already severe housing insecurity and preventing them from calling 911 when threatened by abuse. This webinar will outline possible challenges to these ordinances, which are proliferating across New York State. Follow this link to register for Domestic Violence and Housing Insecurity: Federal and Local Protections, and the Rising Issue of Nuisance Ordinances.

WEBINAR SERIES: Cultivating Your Evaluation Capacity

The Center on Victimization and Safety at the Vera Institute of Justice is pleased to announce a 6-part webinar series on Cultivating Your Evaluation Capacity.

This FREE webinar series is open to any U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women grantee, and is designed specifically for organizations that address domestic and sexual violence.

Research has shown that an organization needs to have a number of elements in place before it can begin a meaningful evaluation. These elements include a culture that promotes learning and improvement, staff commitment and support for evaluation, and an understanding of how change is expected to occur within your organization, among others. This webinar series is designed to help your organization assess its readiness and capacity to take on evaluation activities, with the ultimate goal of integrating sustainable evaluation efforts into your organization.

Series Schedule:

Introduction to Evaluation Capacity Building: Assessing Your Readiness to Evaluate

Kim Ammann Howard, Informing Change

Introduction by Dr. Jacquelyn White

March 25, 2014

2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT

Follow this link to register for Introduction to Evaluation Capacity Building: Assessing Your Readiness to Evaluate.

Articulating Your Program's Plan: Developing Your Logic Model

Kelly Robertson, The Evaluation Center

April 17, 2014

2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT

Partnering with Evaluators: Lessons from North Carolina

Monika Johnson Hostler, NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Dr. Rebecca Macy and Dr. Sandra Martin, University of North Carolina

May 15, 2014

2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT

Nuts and Bolts: Budgeting and Institutional Review Boards

Charity Hope, Vera Institute of Justice

Dr. Ashley Demyan, Vera Institute of Justice

June 12, 2014

2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT

Measuring Success in Organizations that Address Domestic and Sexual Violence

Dr. Cris Sullivan, Michigan State University

July 17, 2014

2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT

Introduction to Performance Indicators

Dr. Besiki Kutateladze, Vera Institute of Justice

August 14, 2014

2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT

Employment Opportunities - National

Montana Coalition Seeks Managing Attorney

The Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV), a non-profit operating in Helena, Montana, is seeking a full time Managing Attorney to provide direct legal representation to victims of sexual assault in Montana through its Legal Assistance for Victims grant. Starting salary is $48,000 and a generous benefit package is provided to all employees. Applicants must have a law degree from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice law in the state of Montana or planning to take the MT State bar exam in the near future.

Follow this link for more information and a detailed job description for the Managing Attorney position. To apply send a letter of interest, resume and legal writing sample. Applications should be submitted by email to mtcoalition@mcadsv.com. Position closes Monday, March 31st at 5pm.

Communications

New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence