Agenda - 06-15-2010 - 3a - Laserfiche WebLink

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M Abstract This study of domestic violence shelters in eight states was designed to help fill a gap in current knowledge about the range of services provided, the needs and experiences of survivors who have turned to shelters for help, and the types of help they received. Research goals included obtaining a large and diverse sample of survivors and shelter programs, so that meaningful comparisons of services, immediate outcomes, and experiences could be conducted by presence of children, age, education, race /ethnicity and other characteristics of survivors, while also taking shelter program capacity into account. Data were collected during a six ❑month period from 3,410 residents of 215 domestic violence shelters -81% of the shelters in the eight states. The states were chosen to maximize geographical, population, rural/ urban and economic diversity. Programs provided information about their capacity (number of beds and staff) and the services they offered; Census data were also collected about the region served by the shelter. Shelter residents were asked to complete a written survey at or near entrance (Shelter 1), and again at or near exit (Shelter 2). All study materials were translated into eleven languages to increase accessibility. Both surveys asked about 38 different possible needs; Shelter 1 also addressed initial impressions and concerns, while Shelter 2 also addressed immediate outcomes, difficulties experienced during the stay, and the respect and support survivors had received from shelter staff. Data from programs showed that they ranged greatly in capacity: a range of 4 to 102 beds, 1.25 to 99 FTE staff, and had sheltered 2 to 2,300 adults and 1 to 1,242 children in the past year. The median maximum length of stay was two months. Across shelters staff could speak 37 different languages; 72% had staff who were bi- lingual in Spanish. Ninety -eight percent could accommodate at least one type of disability. Respondents reported that if the shelter did not exist the consequences for them would be dire: homelessness, serious losses including children, continued abuse or death, or actions taken in desperation. Their primary needs at entry were safety, housing, information, emotional support, and help for their children. At exit, after a median length of stay of 22 days (27 for mothers) respondents reported a larger number of needs than they had identified at entry. They also indicated that their needs had largely been met. Although over half reported some kind of difficulty during their stay, such as conflicts with others or problems with rules, most of the problems were resolved. At least two- thirds strongly agreed with every rating of staff respect and support, and 95% or more agreed. Neither difficulties nor ratings of staff respect and support differed significantly among respondents, based on demographic characteristics. Detailed findings showed specific differences in particular needs across race /ethnicity, age, education, presence of children, and language in which surveys were completed (Hispanics who filled out English and Spanish surveys were compared). Differences in survivors' experiences were also found related to shelter capacity.