Grace Smith House Inc

Programs: Outreach programgrace smith house has two employees housed at dutchess county family court, who assist in the filing of orders of protection for all victims. These advocates also provide information and referrals to our shelter and non-residential programs, and legal services program. A third advocate is stationed at the courthouse to provide accompaniment to victims to the courtrooms, and will accompany to follow up court appointments as requested. Two employees are embedded in the offices of child protect services at dvls (domestic violence liaisons). When a non-offending caregiver discloses domestic violence to a cps worker, the worker immediately makes a referral to the dvl for assistance in the parent's domestic violence concerns. A third dvl with a similar function is embedded at our center for child abuse prevention to assist high risk, special needs populations such as teen parents and parents with developmental disabilities with domestic violence advocacy and education.

mary lou heissenbuttel residencethe mary lou heissenbuttel residence (mlhr) is a twenty bed emergency domestic violence shelter for individuals and their minor children who have experienced domestic violence. Domestic violence may be physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or financial in nature. In shelter, three meals are provided daily, and basic necessities such as toiletries, hygiene products, diapers, etc. Each individual is provided a case manager (advocate) to help them safely plan and navigate various systems, including dss, legal, law enforcement, and housing. Transportation and childcare are provided as available. Individuals are provided therapy in house with a licensed, msw level counselor to help begin healing of trauma caused by domestic violence. Individual and group counseling are both available. Services are provided to children and parents by the youth advocate, and include parenting help, individual counseling and play groups for children. Program services are provided to all victims of domestic violence regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. All services are provided free to the individual and are confidential. The maximum allowed stay is 180 days, however, the average length of stay is approximately 45 days. The 24/7/365 hotline is answered in mlhr, and then the calls are routed accordingly. Mlhr total occupancy was 90% for 2016.

northeast shelter the northeast shelter (nes) is a 10 bed domestic violence shelter which opened in 1996, with the intention of serving the rural part of dutchess county. Nes offers the same services available in mlhr. In shelter, three meals are provided daily, and basic necessities such as toiletries, hygiene products, diapers, etc. Each individual is provided a case manager (advocate) to help them safety plan and navigate various systems, including dss, legal, law enforcement, and housing. Transportation and childcare are provided as available. Individuals are provided therapy in house with a licensed, msw level counselor to help begin healing from the trauma of domestic violence. Individual and group counseling are both available. Services are provided to children and parents by the youth advocate, and include parenting help, individual counseling and play groups for children. Program services are provided to all victims of domestic violence regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. All services are provided free to the individual and are confidential. The north east shelter closed on september 22, 2016. Property has been secured, and planning board approval given, to build a new shelter to replace nes closer to county services and our main offices.

brookhaven transitional housingbrookhaven transitional housing comprises of 15 apartments, ranging in size from studio apartments to three bedrooms. Residents may stay in brookhaven up to two years (24 months). Eligibility is a victim of domestic violence who is at least 30 days out of an abusive relationship. An interview is required. While many brookhaven residents are referred by our domestic violence shelter case managers at the conclusion of their shelter stays, others are referred through our non-residential program or by our community partners. While in brookhaven, residents are provided with case management, individual and/or group counseling, children's services, legal advocacy, recreational opportunities and all other available agency services as needed. Brookhaven in a supportive community that promotes safety, healing from trauma, resiliency for the future, and good health. Non residential programthe non residential program provides advocacy and support services to victim of domestic violence in dutchess county. Services include individual and group counseling, goal setting and progress monitoring, support groups including spanish language groups; safety planning, court and legal advocacy, immigration advocacy, housing and employment searches, accompaniment to court, local dss advocacy, and referral to legal and other services. Children's programming, including children's groups, babysitting, parenting groups, and individual sessions for children of adults' clients. Opportunities for community building and recreation are provided. A food pantry stocked with dry goods and with toiletries, diapers, baby items, cleaning products, and household goods is available for non-residential participants free of charge (availability of items depends upon donations). Limited amounts of clothing, linens, and household goods/furniture are also available (depending on donations and storage considerations). The latina outreach project provides bi-lingual services in english/spanish and makes presentations in spanish about domestic violence and available services to organizations serving latinas. All services in the non residential program are free and confidential. Opportunities are provided for community building, including a summer picnic, holiday party, and holiday adopt a family gift program. Prevention and educationthe prevention and education program focuses on giving young people the tools they need to have healthy relationships and recognize abusive behaviors. The program sub contracts with the center for the prevention of child abuse to provide personal safety program in elementary schools. Grace smith house educators visit middle and high schools, reaching all districts in dutchess county, with presentations. In middle schools, they focus on bullying prevention, while in high schools the focus is teen dating violence prevention. Each year, an all-day conference called "love shouldn't hurt" is held for high school students to explore the issues around healthy teen dating further. A leadership camp, "connect for respect" is held for a week each july for middle school students interested in developing leadership skills.