Building Assets for Survivors of Domestic Violence. CFED Assets Learning Conference September 2012

Transcription

1 Building Assets for Survivors of Domestic Violence CFED Assets Learning Conference September 2012

2 Project is a Partnership Office of Community Services, DHHS Al Fleming, Program Manager, Assets for Independence (AFI) Edwin Patout, AFI Resource Coordinator Family Violence Prevention Services Administration, DHHS Marylouise Kelley, Director Shawndell Dawson, Senior Program Specialist 1

3 Purpose of the Project Expand asset-building services to DV survivors and hone strategies for how best to help them achieve greater financial strength. Project staff will work to increase the number of partnerships between DV and asset-building agencies and train both communities in the financial needs of this population, and how best to tailor asset-building services to meet those needs. Develop training and informational materials for those who work in domestic violence organizations, AFI and other asset-building agencies, and for survivors themselves. Papers and memos will also be developed for OCS related to what is learned about serving this unique population, and recommendations for future action. Raise the visibility of this initiative in both the DV and asset-building communities. Project staff will organize presentations and trainings at key domestic violence and asset building conferences. 2

4 Family Violence Prevention Services Administration Primary funding in support of emergency shelter and related assistance for victims of domestic violence and their dependents and the national DV hotline. FVPSA s role in the initiative Partnering with OCS Supporting DV advocates and economic empowerment Developing resources for DV survivors 3

5 Domestic Violence Resource Network Statewide DV Coalitions National DV Hotline SAFE (7233) Domestic Violence Resource Network Info 4

6 5 Domestic Violence Resource Network National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) and National Indigenous Women s Resource Center Asian and Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence (APIIDV) Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community (IDVACC) National Latina Network for Healthy Families and Communities - Casa de Esperanza 5

7 The Team: The Lewin Group, NRCDV, NNEDV, KDVA Cindy Gruman Anne Menard Mary O Doherty Rene Renick Anu Samarajiva Project Director; Responsible for project oversight Subcontractor, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence Subcontractor, Kentucky Domestic Violence Association Subcontractor, National Network to End Domestic Violence Research Analyst, assist with coordination of project tasks and research for training materials 6

8 Speakers Mary O Doherty, Kentucky Domestic Violence Association Krista Del Gallo, Texas Council on Family Violence Delia Chavez, El Paso Collaborative for Community and Economic Development 7

9 Why do Asset Building with Survivors? Economic dependence is the main reason that victims stay with or return to an abusive partner. Asset-building agencies offer financial education, other financial guidance, and matched savings accounts. Partnerships between asset-building and DV agencies can and are enabling survivors to live independently and violence-free through help with buying a house, starting a business and going to school. 8

10 Pathway to Asset Building Pathways to Cross Generational Economic Stability Asset Building Gainful Employment/Supportive Networks Personal/Skills Development Trauma Recovery Basic Needs Safety 9

11 KDVA s IDA Program Kentucky s statewide domestic violence coalition 15 member programs across the state Has administered three AFI grants and just received a fourth award Sub-grantees include member programs and community agencies that work specifically with lower-income at-risk women 10

12 KDVA: 15 Member Programs 11

13 KDVA: Only DV Coalition that is an AFI Grantee Especially good for rural programs with limited capacity/resources Program can be tailored to survivors needs: Car IDAs, free tax-prep, micro loans Relationships between partners already exist 12

14 Results to Date There are currently 82 individuals enrolled in KDVA s Classic (AFI-funded) IDA Program. In the 7 years KDVA has operated the Classic IDA, 266 savers have made asset purchases. 121 Homes 114 Education 31 Small Businesses 13

15 KDVA s Responsibilities KDVA wrote grant and raised match, provides financial management, sends monthly statements Provides financial education and program trainings and facilitates external training opportunities for advocates and other staff Recruits community partners for homeownership counseling and small business counseling 14

16 KDVA s Responsibilities, Cont. Manages relationships with 6 banks Administers IDA Emergency Fund Provides credit reports Approves applications Facilitates purchases Coordinates complementary self-sufficiency programs such as Car-IDA, Microloan, VITA 15

17 Member Programs Responsibilities Most programs have an advocate who specializes in economic empowerment (at least part-time). That advocate s role is to: Recruit participants Provide case management Provide financial education classes Facilitate opening of bank accounts 16

18 Member Programs Responsibilities, Cont. Request credit reports Develop beneficial relationships with local partners (i.e.: financial planners, real estate professionals, etc.) Initiate asset purchases on behalf of IDA savers 17

19 Christa McMichael One of the best things about this program is that my girls have learned with me and will grow up knowing how to make good financial decisions. 18

20 Texas Two Step Identify a strong DV service provider in same community as the AFI grantee, preferably a DV provider that is already involved in economic empowerment issues such as assistance with job search. Ensure that both the DV service provider and AFI grantee have champions within their organizations to advocate for the partnership in their community. 19

21 Texas Community Partner Model El Paso Collaborative receives AFI grant Survivors at Work Partnership between CAFV and Upper Rio Grande Works begins RAISE Texas, statewide asset building coaltion, incorporates Texas IDA Network founded TCFV hosts first Economic Justice Summit in Austin, TX Texas Summit includes an Economic Empowerment Panel 20

22 Texas Community Partner Model TCFV Proposal to Allstate Foundation to redirect national funds towards asset building (Fall) Discussion between TCFV / El Paso Collaborative / CAFV on submitting a joint AFI grant RAISE Texas chosen as a lead state organization, along with RAISE Kentucky, as part of CFED s Assets and Opportunities Initiative (Late Summer) City of San Antonio and Family Violence Prevention Services enter into contract to guarantee survivors slots in the Vehicle IDA Program (Spring) TCFV awarded State Discretionary CSBG grant by the Texas Department of Housing and Urban Affairs to further support asset building (Summer) TCFV hosts 4 th Economic Justice Summit in El Paso, Texas 21 El Paso Collaborative / CAFV awarded AFI grant

23 Texas Community Partner Model Partners El Paso Collaborative for Community and Economic Development Center against Family Violence (CAFV), El Paso How it works Collaborative staff trained CAFV advocates CAFV advocates identify and refer potential candidates / Collaborative staff presents at support groups Eligibility appointment at the Collaborative (applicants are screened and given program details) Interagency communication to trouble shoot 22

24 Texas Community Partner Model Participants Three started saving while in shelter Remainder began the program while receiving services from the Family Resource Center (non-residential) Several are participants have also received immigration legal services Average monthly savings between $50-$100 23

25 Texas Community Partner Model Making it work Collaborative provides upfront, comprehensive information to the survivors about what participation entails / expectations CAFV addresses tech safety and the importance of privacy with survivors CAFV offers complimentary supportive services while Collaborative offers additional resources / referrals to relevant programs 24

26 Texas Community Partner Model Project Impact Enhances Center s mission of helping survivors mover forward Provides hope and a sense of accomplishment for survivors Agencies are have increased their connections in the community Bolsters cohesive, positive community values of helping those struggling 25

27 AFI Serving Domestic Violence Survivors Toolkit Toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on how to bring partnerships from concept to reality. 26

28 Development of the Toolkit Economic dependence is the main reason that victims stay with or return to an abusive partner. Asset-building agencies offer financial education, other financial guidance, and matched savings accounts. Partnerships between asset-building and DV agencies can and are enabling survivors to live independently and violence-free through help with buying a house, starting a business and going to school. Partnership models are already being tested in the field that can be adapted to your program. Toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on how to bring partnerships from concept to reality. 27

29 Toolkit Chapters Chapter 1: Purpose and Background Information Chapter 2: Information for DV Service Providers Asset-Building for DV Survivors (Addressing safety concerns; Working with survivors who are not IDA ready, etc.) Building Partnerships between AFI and DV agencies DV Coalition as AFI Grantee (Kentucky Domestic Violence Association) Community Partnerships (El Paso case example) 28

30 Toolkit Chapters Chapter 3: Information for AFI Grantees What is Domestic Violence Asset-Building for DV Survivors Building Partnerships with DV Service Systems Chapter 4: Additional Resources Financial Education Curricula for Survivors Resources for DV Service Providers Interested in Becoming AFI Grantees Resources for AFI and DV agencies interested in partnering with each other 29

31 Finding the Toolkit Scroll to the bottom of the page 30

32 Discussion 31

33 Contacts Federal Partners: Edwin Patout, OCS (202) Shawndell Dawson, FVPSA (202) Technical Assistance: Cindy Gruman, The Lewin Group Practitioners: Mary O Doherty, KDVA modoherty@kdva.org (502) Krista Del Gallo, Texas Council on Family Violence kdelgallo@tcfv.org (512) Delia Chavez, El Paso Collaborative delia@ep-collab.org (915) Anu Samarajiva, The Lewin Group anu.samarajiva@lewin.com

34 More Information about AFI For more information about AFI: For a list of active AFI grantees by state: To find AFI grantees in your community: 33