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MAIN APPLICATION Immediate response to calls through operation of a dedicated 24 hour domestic violence hotline: All callers can expect to receive services from a compassionate, well- trained individual ready to offer emotional support, safety planning, resource information, and other available services. Direct crisis intervention and advocacy services: Trained staff will accompany victims to criminal and civil court, provide assistance with obtaining domestic violence protective orders, help clients file for victims' compensation through the state, and help clients find emergency shelter and other needed resources. Support Groups: We offer a variety of 8 -week support groups for adults affected by domestic violence. In addition, we offer monthly art -based healing groups and workshops. Access to emergency financial support: Most domestic violence victims are unable to leave abusive relationships without financial assistance to pay for expenses during the transition period when they are moving towards self- sufficiency. We provide limited financial assistance directly to victims of domestic violence in the form of gas cards, grocery cards, and transportation payments to assist with this transition. Assistance accessing safe shelter: While we do not have a physical shelter specific to victims of domestic violence, and there is very limited emergency shelter for women with families in Orange County, we do help victims identify other shelter options. We work with victims to get placed in shelters in other counties and coordinate with local hotels to provide emergency shelter to our clients for free or low cost (paid by Compass Center). The need for a cell phone to call 911: Many victims do not have the resources to purchase a cell phone (or an abusive partner may regulate use of a phone) or theirs has been destroyed or confiscated as part of the violence they are experiencing. We provide a cell phone that can contact 911 in order to expand safety options. c) Describe the local need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Consolidated Plan or other community priorities (i.e. Council /Board Goals). Cite local data to support the need for this program and the population being served. North Carolina ranked 19`h in 2012 for its high number of women murdered by men, an FBI figure typically used to count domestic violence - related homicides (Violence Policy Center 2014). In 2015 Compass Center provided services to 1,168 domestic violence clients, a 19% increase in demand for domestic violence crisis services since FY 13 -14. This follows increases we have seen over the past 4 years. We are already experiencing a 9% increase in domestic violence victims seeking services this fiscal year. Since FY 13 -14, 46% more Spanish- speaking victims have sought services. Compass Center's work seeks to provide prevention education in our community, assistance for victims who have experienced domestic violence, and ongoing support to help empower victims who identify as survivors. We have worked to expand services to meet the needs of victims in our community from diverse backgrounds, including victims with limited English proficiency, LGBTQ victims, and men. Compass Center will be facing unique challenges in 2016 -17 when trying to help clients access shelter because the Chatham County domestic violence shelter run by Family Violence Rape Crisis Center will be closing for a year starting in March 2016 to build a new facility. This means that we will have increased costs related to placing people in hotels for safety until longer -term shelter can be found and necessitates increasing our efforts to engage local hoteliers to provide free or reduced cost hotel nights. d) Describe the population to be served or the area to benefit and indicate how you will identify beneficiaries. Domestic violence is a crime that negatively impacts people regardless of age, gender, race, socio- economic status, or religion, and is unfortunately all too common in all Orange County communities. Compass Center's Domestic Violence Crisis Services Program connects with clients via community education and outreach work, our 24 -hour domestic violence hotline, word of mouth, and we receive referrals from other agencies. Anyone who has any concerns related to domestic violence can access these services. Our clients are primarily people who have directly experienced Main Application 1/24/2016 2:59:42 PM Page 8 of 58