Domestic Violence Project Inc

Transitional and rapid rehousing services works to release domestic violence survivors from housing concerns and provides them with adequate time to rebuild lives, transition into permanent housing, and integrate into the community by providing survivors with assistance in rent, utilities costs, and other living expenses. Survivors are also provided with assistance in accessing community resources to help with the transition process as well as any other community resources such as food and medical assistance. During this fiscal year, 40 adults and children were provided with 6,769 nights of housing.

Western stark emergency shelter offers emergency housing to men, women, and children survivors of domestic violence. All services are free, confidential, and available 24/7. A client-centered continuum of care is provided through comprehensive services in a trauma-informed environment. Case management services are available, including safety planning and linkage to community resources. Emergency shelter provides all basic needs, including housing, food, clothing, and limited transportation services to clients. Six rooms with private baths and a total of 19 beds are available. For the current fiscal year, the massillon shelter provided refuge to 84 survivors for a total of 3,959 nights of shelter.

Mobile advocacy provides outreach services to survivors who are no longer working with other dvpi programs as well as medical advocacy support services to survivors in emergency rooms during the forensic medical evidence collection process. Case management services are available, including safety planning and linkage to community resources, support for housing, food, and clothing are also available, if needed. During this fiscal year, 172 survivors received outreach services. Legal advocacy supportive services provides justice systems advocacy and support for survivors of domestic violence. Clients are assisted through the court process and given safety planning on information about community resources, crime victims' compensation, and the ohio victim information notification network (vine). Legal advocates help survivors navigate civil and criminal courts and assist them in understanding legal rights, attending court hearings, filing criminal protection orders, speaking with the prosecutors and police, and reinforce safety planning with shelter residents as well as with clients who access services exclusively through the courts. A partnership with cleveland clinic mercy hospital and aultman hospital offers forensic evidence collection for clients, aiding in prosecution of abusers. During the fiscal year, legal advocacy staff served 894 clients.although no longer a separate department, dvpi provides education services to law enforcement, legal/judicial professionals, educators, medical personnel, and the community at large. During the fiscal year, 90 individuals received domestic violence awareness training through dvpi services.