Domestic Violence Services Network Inc

Programs: Dvsn offers direct service to victims of domestic violence in partnership with twelve massachusetts police departments (acton, bedford, boxborough, carlisle, concord, lexington, lincoln, maynard, stow, sudbury, wayland, and weston), hanscom air force base, emerson hospital, local courts, and the middlesex district attorney's office. Dvsn's 75 volunteer advocates provide service to: - any victim of domestic violence who lives, works, or visits and is assaulted in any one of our collaborating jurisdictions; - anyone who calls our help line from anywhere; and - victims who seek a restraining order in the concord district court. Dvsn provides services to all clients, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veterans' status in ways that respect their dignity and choices and at a pace that empowers their own decision-making ability and maximizes their safety. Dvsn's clients reside in over 160 communities throughout new england and beyond. Dvsn programsdomestic violence victim assistance program ("dvvap"):dvvap advocates are carefully trained to support clients in identifying their own pace for change and finding appropriate interventions that meet the needs of their specific situation and level of risk. Our main objectives for this outreach are to encourage clients to tell their story, assess their risk, develop a safety plan that keeps them and their children as safe as possible, and connect with appropriate community resources for help. Dvsn advocates follow up on police reports and help anyone who walks into our office or calls our confidential, toll-free number. In addition, this program has been expanded to include clients from emerson hospital. Court support program ("csp"):court advocates help clients while at court, answer clients' questions about procedures and court personnel, decipher unfamiliar, and intimidating behaviors/procedures, and offer non-judgmental support and encouragement. Risk assessment, safety planning, and referrals to viable, effective, and appropriate resources are crucial to the health and well being of our clients and their families during this period of heightened risk. Central middlesex assessment for safety team ("cmast"):cmast provides a formal process of communication and coordination among team members to identify victims who are at the greatest risk and to monitor offenders who pose a threat to them. Lawyer for a day ("lfad"):lfad advocates help clients organize their thoughts to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness when meeting with a lawyer for a consultation to help strategize next steps. In addition, dvsn has a relationship with pro-bono lawyers who will represent dvsn clients during hearings to pursue a restraining order. Specialized programs for clients:programs designed for dvsn clients' specialized needs include: cmart [central middlesex alliance for resilience training] which focuses on money matters, career development, self defense, support groups, integrated wellness, and in-depth therapeutic needs for clients and their children; angel of hope provides holiday gifts for families in dire need; community suppers in which dvsn advocates are available at various community suppers to raise awareness and provide service to the supper guests; and resist [realistic escape strategies and instinct-based self-defense training], a collaborative program between dvsn and its police partners to train women and girls in using their voice and natural instincts to escape abuse and assaults. Development and outreach programs:dvsn raises awareness about domestic violence in our communities through violence prevention education and outreach activities--presenting "dv 101" to over 50 organizations, agencies, and municipal departments and healthy relationship classes in local high schools. Dvsn also distributes and maintains "rachel's boxes" of educational materials and information in over 90 locations. In addition to sponsoring and developing numerous community events in partnership with sister agencies, dvsn organizes three major "voices of hope" events for the public annually: a candlelight vigil; a clergy symposium; and an appreciation breakfast.