Newport County Womens Resource Center

The family violence option advocacy program (fvoap) assists the department of human services' (dhs) clients who are victims/survivors of domestic violence. The fvoap works with the dhs, the rhode island coalition against domestic violence (ricadv), ri works (ri's cash assistance program), and the child care assistance program (ccap). Through the fvoap program, clients may be able to obtain a waiver from certain requirements of the ri works program or child care assistance program. The fvoap also provides victims/survivors with other kinds of assistance such as immediate crisis counseling and safety planning. Last year, fvoap provided 1,329 sessions to 377 clients throughout rhode island.

Transitional housing - this crucial program empowers survivors of domestic violence and their children to live independently while continuing to benefit from case management and other supportive services. Transitional housing fosters financial independence, serving as a critical bridge for survivors seeking to live free from violence. All transitional apartments are provided free to clients for up to two years. The transitional housing program finances 6 apartments located in bristol, r.i. Last year,12 adults and 16 children spent 5,498 nights in transitional housing. Wrc also provides emergency shelter services to families in crisis, providing intensive case management and wrap-around services to these clients. Residential clients receive a myriad of supports to help them live lives free of violence. Examples of these supportive services include education and employment services, financial literacy, goal setting, and individual and family counseling. Wrc also provides emergency shelter services to families in crisis, providing intensive case management and wrap-around services to these clients. Residential clients receive a myriad of supports to help them live lives free of violence. Examples of these supportive services include education and employment services, financial literacy, goal setting, and individual and family counseling.

Mental health counseling - our highly skilled counselors provide both individual and group therapy for adults and children to support them through the trauma of being a victim of, or witness to, domestic violence. Many of the victims who receive these services are either not insured or are unable to access this benefit without risking their perpetrator discovering they are seeking help. Mental health counseling is a critical service in helping victims to build their emotional capacity to leave a violent relationship and to continue a life free from violence, and for their children to develop healthy intimate relationships as adults. Last year, our counselors provided 1,531 sessions to 135 clients.

Court advocacy- our first interaction with domestic violence victims is often in the court system. Advocates support victims by guiding them through the completion of complicated paperwork; educating them on the inner workings of the legal system; and connecting them to a variety of community services so they can achieve desired independence. In 2021, our court advocates provided victim and prosecution support with 2,366 sessions to 478 clients. Law enforcement advocacy. The law enforcement advocate collaborates with law enforcement to provide improved responses to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking to victims. The advocate works directly with 5 local police departments, including tiverton police department, to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, referrals and information including but not limited to the criminal justice system. In 2021, our law enforcement advocate supported 345 clients with 737 sessions from five police departments.crisis intervention. We provide a range of emergency and crisis services for domestic violence victims and their children. Our emergency shelter program meets the critical needs of victims by providing shelter, food, and other basic human needs. Shelter clients are also able to meet with a counselor within 24 hours, to assess their critical mental health needs. Other crisis services include a 24-hour hotline, walk-in services, advocacy, and referrals. In 2021, our staff answered 1,748 hotline calls.