GRACE SMITH HOUSE INC
PO BOX 5205, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12602 www.gracesmithhouse.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: OUTREACH PROGRAMGRACE SMITH HOUSE HAS AN EXTENSIVE OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM. THROUGH OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS WE PARTNER WITH AND PARTICIPATE IN A NUMBER OF COLLABORATIVE AND COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE PROJECTS DESIGNED TO INCREASE VICTIM SAFETY AND MAXIMIZE OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY. GRACE SMITH HOUSE IS PART OF THE DUTCHESS COUNTY HIGH RISK RESPONSE TEAM THAT FOCUSES ON VARIOUS PROVIDERS WORKING TOGETHER TO REDUCE RISK OF LETHALITY ON IDENTIFIED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION EXTENDS TO WORK ON RISK ASSESSMENT AND THE LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROTOCOL IN THE COUNTY. IN ADDITION, FOR ALL VICTIMS WHO NEED FAMILY COURT SERVICES, GRACE SMITH HOUSE HAS COURT ADVOCATES HOUSED AT DUTCHESS COUNTY FAMILY COURT. COURT ADVOCATES PROVIDE SERVICES TO ALL WALK IN CUSTOMERS WHO SEEK REDRESS THROUGH FAMILY COURT. ADVOCATES ARE AVAILABLE TO MEET WITH EVERY INDIVIDUAL TO ASSESS FOR THE PRESENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PROVIDE RISK ASSESSMENT, SAFETY PLANNING DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION, EDUCATE THE INDIVIDUAL ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND OPTIONS AS WELL AS EXPLAIN HOW THE CIVIL COURT PROCESS WORKS. THEY ASSIST IN COMPLETING PAPERWORK AND IN DRAFTING AND ENTERING THE PETITIONS FOR PROTECTIVE ORDERS INTO THE COURT SYSTEM. FINALLY, THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT MAY BE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO THE PETITIONER DEPENDING ON THEIR PARTICULAR NEEDS. GRACE SMITH HOUSE ALSO HAS COURT ADVOCATES WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCOMPANYING VICTIMS TO COURT, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THE COURT PROCEEDINGS, CONNECTING THEM TO LEGAL SERVICES, ASSISTING WITH OBTAINING PAPERWORK NECESSARY FOR FILING, ADVOCATING WITH COURTS, ATTORNEYS, AND OTHER PROVIDERS AS NEEDED. THESE ADVOCATES PROVIDE INFORMATION ON VICTIM SERVICES, VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, AND ADVOCATE WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHEN CRIMINAL COURT MATTERS ARE RELEVANT TO THE CASE. WHEN NECESSARY, THESE ADVOCATES HAVE TRAVELED TO SURROUNDING COUNTIES TO SUPPORT AND ACCOMPANY A VICTIM TO COURT AND WILL PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION WHEN A VICTIM IS UNABLE TO GET TO COURT. FINALLY THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LINKAGES TO OUR COUNSELING SERVICES AND FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMS. OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS ALSO EXTEND TO THE DUTCHESS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT. HERE TWO EMPLOYEES ARE EMBEDDED IN THE OFFICES OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LIAISONS. THEY SERVE AS A KNOWLEDGEABLE RESOURCE TO CPS CASEWORKERS REGARDING ISSUES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. AS SUCH, CASEWORKERS WHO REQUEST A CONSULTATION ARE ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR EXPERTISE AND ASSISTANCE IN CASES WHERE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS PRESENT IN THE HOME. OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMMING ALSO INCLUDES OUR LATINA OUTREACH PROGRAM THAT WAS PIONEERED BY GRACE SMITH HOUSE OVER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. THE GOALS OF THE LATINA OUTREACH PROGRAM ARE TO EDUCATE THE LATINA COMMUNITY ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SERVICES AVAILABLE; TO OFFER LATINA VICTIMS CULTURALLY COMPETENT ADVOCACY AND COUNSELING IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE, WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CULTURE; AND FINALLY TO EDUCATE AND PROVIDE ADVOCACY WITH VICTIM RELATED SYSTEMS INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURTS, DISTRICTS OF SOCIAL SERVICES, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, AND OTHERS AS TO HOW TO UNDERSTAND AND BETTER SERVE LATINA VICTIMS. IN ADDITION, THIS POSITION HAS, THROUGH EXTENSIVE OUTREACH, CREATED A NETWORK OF SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE EXPERT IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO LATINA VICTIMS. PRESENTLY, TWO EMPLOYEES PROVIDE SERVICES UNDER THE LATINA OUTREACH 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. GRACE SMITH HOUSE EDUCATORS VISIT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS, REACHING ALL DISTRICTS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY, WITH PRESENTATIONS. IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS, EDUCATION FOCUSES ON BULLYING PREVENTION, WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOLS THE FOCUS IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PREVENTION WITH TOPICS SUCH AS HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, DATING VIOLENCE, SAFETY PLANNING, AND SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY. EACH YEAR, AN ALL-DAY CONFERENCE CALLED "LOVE SHOULDN'T HURT" IS HELD FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO FURTHER EXPLORE THE ISSUES AROUND HEALTHY TEEN DATING. A LEADERSHIP CAMP, "CONNECT FOR RESPECT" IS HELD FOR A WEEK EACH JULY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS. OUR PREVENTION AND EDUCATION TEAM IS ALSO ENGAGED IN A HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE WITH THE FOCUS ON REACHING LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, INCLUDING NURSES, PRIVATE PRACTICE PHYSICIANS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, PARAMEDICS, HOSPITALS AND EMERGENCY ROOM CLINICIANS. IN THIS PROGRAM WE WORK TO EDUCATE MEDICAL PROVIDERS IN IDENTIFYING, ASSESSING AND LEARNING TO EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY SCREEN FOR THE PRESENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE GOAL OF THIS OUTREACH PROGRAM IS TO ASSESS AND LINK VICTIMS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES IN A SAFE AND CONFIDENTIAL MANNER. OUR PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS ON VARIOUS TOPICS RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES.

MARY LOU HEISSENBUTTEL RESIDENCETHE MARY LOU HEISSENBUTTEL RESIDENCE (MLHR) IS A TWENTY-FIVE BED EMERGENCY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR MINOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A PATTERN OF MULTIPLE COERCIVE BEHAVIORS USED BY ONE PERSON TO GAIN POWER AND CONTROL OVER ANOTHER IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP. THESE REPEATED ACTS MAY BE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, VERBAL, SEXUAL, OR FINANCIAL IN NATURE. OUR SHELTER PROGRAM PROVIDES THREE MEALS DAILY; RESIDENTS ALSO HAVE SNACKS AVAILABLE TO THEM ANYTIME THEY WISH. DURING THE SHELTER STAY, ALL BASIC NECESSITIES SUCH AS TOILETRIES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, DIAPERS, WIPES, EMERGENCY CHANGE OF CLOTHES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDS FOR TAXI OR BUS ARE PROVIDED. EACH INDIVIDUAL IS ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER (ADVOCATE) TO HELP THEM CREATE A SAFETY PLAN, ASSESS RISK FOR LETHALITY, DETERMINE IMMEDIATE AND SHORT TERM NEEDS AND TO ASSIST IN NAVIGATING VARIOUS SYSTEMS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MAY NEED TO ACCESS, INCLUDING LOCAL DISTRICT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, FAMILY COURT, LEGAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMPLOYERS AND HOUSING. TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED FOR VICTIMS AND CHILDCARE IS OFTEN MADE AVAILABLE. ADULT SHELTER CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED THERAPEUTIC COUNSELING SERVICES IN HOUSE BY A LICENSED, CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER 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, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FREE TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND ARE CONFIDENTIAL. THE LENGTH OF THE PROGRAM IS 90 DAYS, WITH A POSSIBILITY OF TWO SHELTER EXTENSIONS OF 45 DAYS EACH DEPENDING ON SAFETY NEEDS AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FAMILY. THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED STAY IS 180 DAYS, HOWEVER, THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR FAMILIES IS APPROXIMATELY 55 DAYS. ADULTS WHO ARE NOT ACCOMPANIED BY CHILDREN STAY AN AVERAGE OF 35 DAYS IN SHELTER. THE 24/7/365 HOTLINE IS ANSWERED IN SHELTER BY TRAINED STAFF. MLHR TOTAL OCCUPANCY WAS 82% FOR 2019.

NON RESIDENTIAL FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMTHE GRACE SMITH HOUSE NON RESIDENTIAL FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF SERVICES TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED AS A FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM TO ASSIST RESIDENTS WHO WERE TRANSITIONING OUT OF OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER, THIS PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED TO PROVIDE A BROAD SPECTRUM OF ADVOCACY, COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN DUTCHESS COUNTY. SPECIFIC SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, SERVICE PLANNING, GOAL SETTING AND PROGRESS MONITORING, SUPPORT GROUPS INCLUDING PEER SUPPORT, SELF-EMPOWERMENT, AND SPANISH LANGUAGE GROUPS; SAFETY PLANNING, RISK ASSESSMENT, COURT AND LEGAL ADVOCACY, IMMIGRATION ADVOCACY, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT SEARCHES, ACCOMPANIMENT TO COURT, LOCAL DSS ADVOCACY, TRANSPORTATION, AND REFERRAL TO LEGAL AND OTHER SERVICES. LANGUAGE ACCESSIBLE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO SPANISH SPEAKING VICTIMS BY BILINGUAL FAMILY ADVOCATES. WE ALSO PROVIDE A FOOD PANTRY STOCKED WITH DRY GOODS AND WITH TOILETRIES, DIAPERS, BABY ITEMS, CLEANING PRODUCTS, AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS. THIS PANTRY 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).CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING OFFERS AGE APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO CHILD VICTIMS IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS CHILDREN'S GROUPS, BABYSITTING SERVICES WHEN A PARENT NEEDS TO WORK ON ACCOMPLISHING GOALS RELATED TO THEIR VICTIMIZATION, PARENTING GROUPS, AND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS FOR CHILDREN OF OUR ADULT CLIENTS. OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING, HEALTHY SOCIALIZATION AND RECREATION ARE PROVIDED YEAR ROUND. ALL SERVICES IN THE NON RESIDENTIAL FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM ARE FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL TO BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN. OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDED FOR SOCIAL CONNECTION, COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SUPPORT INCLUDING A SUMMER PICNIC, DISTRIBUTION OF MEALS, TURKEYS FOR THANKSGIVING, HOLIDAY PARTY, AND THE HOLIDAY ADOPT A FAMILY GIFT PROGRAM.

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