Central Minnesota Task Force on Battered Women aka Anna Marie's Alliance

Programs: Anna marie's shelter:anna marie's shelter provides 24 hour safe emergency shelter for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence. Located in st. Cloud, mn, anna marie's is a safe place where victims receive information, referral, and advocacy services. This 36-bed facility serves a six-county region in central minnesota. During the 2013-2014 fiscal year, 2,025 unduplicated adult and child victims were served by advocates of anna marie's. 244 women and 218 children resided at the shelter. Service impact: 96% of women residing at the shelter indicated on a survey that they knew more about community resources because of the advocacy/support services received while at anna marie's. Additionally, 92% indicated that they knew more ways to plan for their safety and 93% indicated they were more confident in their decision making because of the services they received.

anna marie's children and youth services:child advocates located at the shelter work to provide a sense of normalcy and stability with children who have witnessed domestic violence in the home. Advocates also support parents whose children have been traumatized by witnessing or experiencing abuse. Services offered include physical and mental health assessments, referrals to address identified needs, safety planning, childcare, recreational activities, parent education and support, and child support groups. During the 2013-2014 fiscal year, 364 children received child advocacy services. Service impact: 97% (125 children) of children staying two or more weeks (129 children) at the shelter completed an initial mental health screening; 92% (115 children) of these children were identified as in need of crisis diagnostic assessment or other mental health services and referred for further psychiatric/psychological assessment. School youth program advocates provide early intervention at area schools to prevent or reduce violence in relationships. The focus is on teaching healthy relationship skills through educational support groups, individual support, and classroom presentations. School counselors refer students identified as being at risk of being in an abusive relationship. During the 2013-2014 fiscal year, 7,481 elementary students attended 617 presentations and 441 youth (ages 6 18) participated in life choices/healthy relationship skill building groups. Service impact: 79% of 7th 12th grade participants indicated improvement in 3 or more areas (self esteem, expressing feelings, self respect, respect for others, listening skills, and problem solving skills. ) 62% of those stating they had used violence indicated their use of violence has decreased. 94% indicated that they learned techniques/skills to leave an abusive relationship or protect themselves if abuse were to happen.

community education:the community education program focuses on building individual and community awareness about domestic abuse in order to grow a healthy relationship community where domestic violence is not tolerated and healthy relationships are the norm. Community education and professional training is provided to area businesses, faith, human services, civic organizations, education community and to the public at large. During the 2013-2014 fiscal year, 593 educational presentations were made to 16,479 individuals (adults and children) and 40 professional trainings were made to 999 participants.

criminal justice intervention program:this program provides advocates that offer victims assistance and education about their rights. They provide insight into navigating the criminal justice system in stearns and benton counties. System policies, procedures and response to victims of domestic abuse are monitored and training for law enforcement officers is conducted. Advocates play a key role in the stearns county domestic abuse partnership designed to increase offender accountability and victim safety. The stearns county attorney's office identifies repeat felony domestic violence offenders and implements intensive offender supervision and enhanced collaboration to access victim services and legal resources for victims. During the 2013-2014 fiscal year, 525 unduplicated victims received criminal justice intervention services. The jill eckhoff transitional house: we provided safe, supportive housing to five women with six children and one single woman needing to stabilize their lives and develop self sufficiency skills during the 2013-2014 fiscal year. Volunteer services:encourages and coordinates opportunities for women, men, young adults and children to contribute time, talent, and treasure to the needs of battered women and their children. During the 2013-2014 fiscal year, 94 individual and 147 group volunteers contributed 8,689 volunteer hours.