Domestic Violence Services Of Southwestern Pennsylvania

Prevention and outreach: the dvssp prevention and outreach department focuses on the prevention of domestic violence, community awareness of the impact of domestic violence, trainings about domestic violence and the services available to victims, and volunteer opportunities within the organization. In fy 2024/25 in washington county: 85 educational/awareness programs were provided to 4,739 adults, and 469 education/awareness programs were provided to 9,564 students and youth. 469 primary prevention programs were provided to 9,564 students and youth. 6 community/systems trainings were provided to 124 persons, and 937 media and events of other types were completed. In fy 2024/25 in greene county: 4 education/awareness programs were provided to 338 adults, and 137 education/awareness programs were provided to 2,722 students and youth. 137 primary prevention programs were provided to 2,722 students and youth. 114 media and events of other types were completed. In fy 2024/25 in fayette county: 14 education/awareness programs were provided to 641 adults 195 education/awareness programs were provided to 3,004 students and youth. 195 primary prevention programs were provided to 3,004 students and youth. 3 community/systems trainings were provided to 36 persons, and 65 media and events of other types were completed. Regarding volunteer efforts in fy 2024/25, 15 washington county volunteers provided a total of 484.15 hours of service, 4 greene county volunteers provided a total of 49.92 hours of service, and 3 fayette county volunteer provided a total of 234 hours of service.

Key housing program: in fy 2024/25, provided rehousing for 47 adults and 55 children by safely housing them in 47 apartments in washington, greene, and fayette counties. Clients obtain leases for their own hud inspected apartments. Dvssp provides financial assistance, paying up to 100% of their rent, security deposit, and utility deposits for up to 12 months with a goal of financial independence at the end of the 12 months to pay their own rent and maintain permanent housing.

Domestic violence services of southwestern pa satellite office: dvssp operates a satellite office in greene county. Services provided to victims of domestic violence included: 24-hour hotline; transportation to the washington county or fayette county emergency shelter facilities; information and referrals; group and individual empowerment counseling; accompaniment; and legal and general advocacy. In fy 2024/25, our greene county site fielded 81 domestic violence related hotline calls. A total of 86.11 counseling hours were provided to a total of 107 victims, significant others, and children. A total of 90 protection from abuse petitions were filed through our greene county site, which enters all greene county pfa petitions into the statewide pfa database. Legal advocacy: in addition to dvssp legal advocacy services offered in our greene county satellite office, our legal advocacy office in the washington county courthouse and fayette county legal advocacy office both provide empowerment counseling and legal advocacy to victims of domestic violence. Services include information and referrals and assistance in filing protection from abuse petitions. In fy 2024/25, 652 protection from abuse petitions were filed through our washington county legal advocacy program, which also enters all washington county pfa petitions into the statewide pfa database. In fy 2024/25 in our fayette county legal advocacy program, 604 protection from abuse orders were filed and entered into the statewide pfa database.