Senator Lanza Announces Funding to Prevent Domestic Violence

Senator Andrew Lanza today announced New York is receiving more than $4.3 million for programs that serve domestic violence victims across the state. The funding is provided through the Federal Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, which supports the establishment, maintenance, and expansion of programs to prevent domestic violence. It also provides immediate shelter and support services for all victims of domestic violence and their children, as well as specialized services for underserved populations throughout the state.

The funding is split into non-competitive grants totaling more than $1.2 million and competitive grants totaling $3 million. The non-competitive grants were awarded to domestic violence programs in smaller counties with fewer resources, while the competitive grants were based on county poverty rates, type of model, county Child Protective Services reporting rates, regional office ratings, and racial equity and cultural competence.

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services used a competitive Request for Proposals to allocate the funds, which are awarded on an annual basis from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Applying for this funding helps the state better align with emerging needs and the national emphasis on reaching underserved populations and creating effective new evidence-based responses to domestic violence.

Awardees had to demonstrate in their proposals that the funds will support preventing incidents of family violence, as well as provide immediate shelter, support services, and access to community-based programs for victims of domestic violence and their children. They also had to offer specialized services for children, underserved populations, and minorities that are exposed to domestic violence.

According to Safe Horizon, a victims' services agency that assists crime and abuse victims throughout New York City:

· One in four women will experience domestic violence.

· More than three million children each year will witness domestic violence at home.

· Without help, girls who witness domestic violence are more vulnerable to abuse, and boys are more likely to become abusers of their partners and children as adults, continuing a cycle of violence we see in families all too often.

Award Populations

TOTAL: $3,088,909

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. If you are a victim in crisis seeking assistance or for information about resources in your community, call the New York State Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906, or 1-800-621-HOPE in New York City.

Providers statewide received nearly 195,000 domestic violence crisis or hotline calls in 2013 alone. Local domestic violence hotlines provide community-specific information and resources. A list of local hotline numbers can be found on the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence website.

Additionally, the Office of Children and Family Services website contains information about domestic violence service providers. The information listed contains business addresses, and does not represent actual DV shelter locations.

The Office of Children and Family Services serves New York by promoting the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, families, and communities, and coordinates the licensing process for 163 residential domestic violence programs across the state. For more information, visit ocfs.ny.gov, “like” the New York State Office of Children and Family Services Facebook page, or follow @NYSOCFS on Twitter.