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Coalition Connection
Your Weekly Source of News, Trainings, and Events
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Through a collective voice,
the WCADVSA is committed to provide leadership, education, and systems advocacy to advance social change and end violence.
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Welcome to your weekly edition of the Coalition Connection!
Not sure of the purpose of this newsletter? Click here to learn more. Are you having difficulty viewing this e-mail or do you feel like you are missing some of the information in the Connection? If so, click here for a few helpful hints.
We will highlight important information in this section each week that requires your action or attention. This week's highlights include:
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Opportunity
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CCRI Research Opportunity
CCRI Head of Research Dr. Asia Eaton and CCRI President Dr. Mary Anne Franks are researching the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of cyber sexual abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of this research, we would like to connect with individuals who were victims of cyber sexual abuse ("revenge porn", sextortion, online sexual harassment, deep fakes, etc.) during the COVID- 19 pandemic. We are conducting surveys and confidential, audio- recorded interviews with survivors, who would receive $30 for participating. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this survey and interview, please email us.
If selected, we will have a trained interviewer contact the individual to schedule a convenient time and day.
This research is funded by the National Science Foundation. The IRB Approval # is IRB-21-0040,
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WCADVSA Staff Attorney Position
The WCADVSA Legal Project is funded through a grant received from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program. The Legal Project has been funded by OVW since 1998 in competitive grant cycles. Two Staff Attorney positions and a Legal Assistant position are funded to complete the grant goals which include providing direct civil legal services on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking statewide.
Qualifications:
- Licensed to practice law in Wyoming.
- Knowledge of Wyoming courts, laws and procedures.
- Thorough understanding of family law, civil procedure, evidence, ethics and familiarity with criminal law.
- Understanding of issues and willingness to continue to learn about issues related to
domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault and a strong commitment to ending
violence against women. - Ability to provide professional, high quality and sensitive legal services to victims of
domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. - Ability to counsel and advise clients and provide referrals for people who are in crisis.
- Willingness and ability to work with people from varied backgrounds, cultures,
ethnicities and abilities. - Proficiency with computer and Internet technologies and software programs,
including Microsoft Word and Excel. - Ability to work with law office management databases, including ABACUS.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage time, keep detailed statistics, evaluate progress and
adjust activities to complete work within established time frames. - Ability to handle multiple projects and work independently as well as collaboratively.
- Demonstrated team building, limit setting, problem solving, creative/analytical
thinking and organizational skills, including report writing and grant writing. - Demonstrated project management skills, including staff supervision.
- Commitment to collaboration, team-building and professional development of staff.
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Our Work
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Transitional Housing Voluntary Services Training E-Learning 
The NNEDV Voluntary Services Training in 2021 will be completed through an e-learning module. MOU partners (WCADVSA member programs) are encouraged to participate in the e-learning module if they are providing direct services. There is no limit on the number of staff who can take this e-learning course. But at least one person needs to complete the courses for the agency.
There are 8 lessons available. In total, you'll need to view 6 lessons to complete the training requirement. There are 5 mandatory lessons in Track A and 3 elective lessons in Track B. At least 1 lesson from Track B must be completed to meet the minimum lesson requirement.
Click this link to find the registration page. When you register, you will automatically be registered for both Tracks A and B and you will have access to all eight lessons. When you register, you'll be asked to create a username and password that is unique for you. Each person, who wants to take the course, should enroll separately. That way the certificate generates with your name on it.
The e-learning platform will track your progress. You can start, pause, and restart all of the lessons. Once you've viewed all of the lessons in Track A, and the lesson(s) you want to view in Track B, you'll need to complete the Course Completion Certification to obtain a certificate. In that quiz, you'll note the lesson(s) you viewed, and then click the "Print Your Certificate" button.
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Save The Date! 16th Annual DV Counts Day - September 9 
NNEDV is pleased to announce the date for this year's Domestic Violence Counts Day. This year the count will begin at 8:00 AM Eastern on Thursday, September 9th. An informational packet will be sent out in the next month or so detailing the specifics of the DV Counts Day, including what time you will begin counting in your time zone, reporting your data, important definitions, and frequently asked questions.
This year, NNEDV will be moving away from SurveyMonkey to a new platform for data collection. As with years past, NNEDV will host an information webinar before the day of the count to walk programs through the survey structure and questions being asked. Because we will be using a new reporting platform, it may be helpful to have your staff member that will be reporting the data for your organization join the webinar or watch the recording.
If you would like to have another staff member added to the listserv to ensure they receive the information regarding the day of the count, please email their information to DVcounts@nnedv.org to be added.
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Policy Updates
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Black Caucus of the NTF Statement on Juneteenth National Independence Day 
WASHINGTON, DC - Common understandings of United States history teach us that slavery ended in January 1863 with President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
Yet in a sparsely populated country ravaged by Civil War - and with the Confederacy violently intent on keeping Black people enslaved as long as they could - it took several more years for freedom to actually reach the thousands of enslaved Black people across the American South.
Even with the surrender of the Confederate Armies at Appomattox Courthouse two months earlier, it wasn't until June 19, 1865, that Union Army soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, the most remote slave holding state, to finally declare all enslaved people free. The anniversary of June 19th is known as Juneteenth - a day that commemorates and celebrates the end of legal slavery in the United States, and has now been declared an official federal holiday by President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Vice President Kamala D. Harris, and the United States Congress.
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You are heard! U.S. Senator Lummis to Co-sponsor VOCA Fix! 
Last week we asked you to tweet the U.S. Senate Leadership, Senators Schumer and McConnell, to finally pass S.611 the Victim of Crimes Act (VOCA) legislative fix bill. See fact sheet about how ridiculously important this bill is to serving survivors in Wyoming.
They heard you. Thursday, June 17 it went up on a unanimous consent motion, but failed due to Sen. Toomey (R-PA) and his objection to a unanimous consent vote. Boo!
However, the bill lives on, and more importantly, WCADVSA representatives met with our U.S. congressional delegation in three separate visits. Tori Hunt, educational coordinator and advocate for the Goshen County Task Force joined WCDAVSA executive director Kristen Schwartz, WCADVSA public policy director Tara Muir, and Cassie Williams, a UW law student externing for WCADVSA this summer.
There is nothing like Tori Hunt's story of how the work is done day to day in Goshen County to open the eyes of our elected officials. Recent domestic violence homicides and suspected ones open their eyes further. But of course, because of your work emailing and calling Sen. Lummis' office when we asked you to in April, the team had a great foundation upon which to build.
WCADVAS received an email that Sen. Lummis would add her name to the co-sponsors of S.611!! Rep. Liz Cheney voted for the House version earlier this year. Please thank them both.
Sen. Lummis' Counsel, Kate Barlow (yes, the daughter of Wyoming Legislature House Speaker Eric Barlow) and Kristin Walker, Sen. Lummis Chief of Staff, were instrumental and so helpful. Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world.
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U.S. Department of Education Confirms Title IX Protects Students from Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights today issued a Notice of Interpretation explaining that it will enforce Title IX's prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sex to include: (1) discrimination based on sexual orientation; and (2) discrimination based on gender identity. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity offered by a recipient of federal financial assistance.
The Department's interpretation stems from the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, issued one year ago this week, in which the Supreme Court recognized that it is impossible to discriminate against a person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity without discriminating against that person based on sex.
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Monthly Po licy Calls for Program Staff/Board/Volunteers Only
Tara Muir, our public policy director, will connect with all of you on federal and state policy issues! Usually 4th Fridays at lunch. All questions welcome.
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Training and Events |
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Wyoming Webinars, Training, and Events
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Free QPR Training Now Available 
The Wyoming Department of Health's Injury and Violence Prevention Program is providing free QPR training to Wyoming citizens. You can take QPR right now free of charge; go to http://qprtraining.com/setup and enter the code WYO.
In addition to the regular QPR training, we are also offering the following specialized trainings free of charge.
- QPR for Corrections
- Counseling Suicidal People: A Therapy of Hope
- QPR for Crisis Volunteers and Students
- QPR for Eldercare Workers
- QPR for Firefighters and EMS
- Ethics and Suicide
- QPR for Law Enforcement
- QPR for Nurses
- Online Counseling and Suicide Intervention Specialists
- QPR for Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists
- QPR for Pharmacists
- QPR for Psychosis
- QPRT Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Training
- QPR for School Health Professionals
- Suicide Screening Training
- QPR for Sports and Coaches
- QPR Training Targeting Drugs, Alcohol, and Suicide
- QPRT Suicide Triage
- QPR for Veteran Care Providers
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Healthy Moms, Happy Babies (HMHB) Community-Based Webinar 
Coming to Your Community in Summer 2021!
Many staff of home visitation, early childhood and similar programs struggle with how best to address issues of domestic violence (DV) among their clients. The impact of DV on parents' and children's physical and mental health and risk for substance use and persistent perinatal depression is well documented. To support communities' capacity in DV prevention, response, and healing, we are providing Healthy Moms, Happy Babies (HMHB) webinars. We aspire to reach each county in Wyoming, and invite you to lead in identifying community partners to invite to the webinars.
This summer and early fall, a team of people from Wyoming Departments of Family Services, Health, and Corrections, along with Wyoming Children's Trust Fund and WCADVSA, will provide training. The 3-hour webinar provides healing approaches to DV prevention and response for staff of home visitation, early childhood, and other community programs, with attuned approaches to DV for survivors.
HMHB is an interactive curriculum that addresses the barriers and difficulties staff experience in addressing DV. The training will address how personal and or vicarious trauma or abuse may impact our ability to do this work. Specific strategies and tools, personal and organizational, will be presented to address the needs of front-line staff and managers so that they feel adequately situated to hear a positive disclosure of abuse.
We hope sharing in this interactive learning space with your fellow community members and organizations will be another capacity building opportunity for all. If you're interested, please click here to choose some weeks that look good for a potential webinar for your community, and Susie will reach out to you to talk about this in more detail. For more information email Susie Markus or call her at 307-222-3352 or 307-274-6292.
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National Webinars, Training, and Events
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Healthy Masculinity and Engaging Boys and Men Webinar 
Most people have different ideas about what it means to be a man, and we develop these ideas from the many influences in our lives. Some are from people we know, others we see in the media. Some of them taught us positive lessons and others showed us what not to do. And just about everyone has received mixed messages about what makes up a "real" man.
This workshop on July2 at 11:00 am helps participants critically examine the messages they receive about masculinity and violence against women, highlight the positive messages and ultimately build skills to apply a strength-based approach to engaging boys and men in primary prevention through healthy masculinity.
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You're Invited! Civil Protection Orders Listening Sessions 
The national Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges' Civil Protection Order Project (CPO Project), a technical assistance project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, is convening a set of listening sessions to inform our multidisciplinary work regarding innovative practices, collaboration, and implementation of the guiding principles and model practices laid out in Civil Protection Orders: A Guide for Improving Practice. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the CPO Project facilitated a webinar on transitioning to remote hearings, Civil Protection Orders and Remote Hearings: A Panel Discussion, as well as published a resource, CPO Guide: Considerations for Safe and Effective Responses by Courts to the CODIV-19 Pandemic. For more information on the COP Project or to listen to the recording of the Panel Discussion, click here.
We are looking for participants with relevant expertise and perspective to join our discussion on the impact of the pandemic on civil protection order process from filing through issuance, service, and enforcement.
Themes covered during the listening sessions include:
- Challenges, strengths, and barriers revealed by the pandemic
- Strategies to address challenges and barriers; and
- Long-term effects of the past year and a half on the CPO system and its stakeholders.
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Equity, Diversion & Inclusion Workshop: Building Commitment & Promoting Practice 
Join us for this important and timely two-part workshop designed to provide education for your brain injury program about the importance of implementing practices to encourage equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Learn how to incorporate these practices into programming and organizational policies and procedures. Training will provide high-level tips and approaches for organizations to consider and promote partnerships and increase your organization's EDI competency and practices.
Part 1 - July 8 12:00 pm: Foundational concepts, basic definitions and principles, and an overview of EDI practices. An assessment tool will be introduced for participants to utilize.
Part 2 July 13 12:00 pm: Application of the assessment tool with group discussion and feedback. A fully developed, formal action plan with deliverables and outcomes will be introduced and reviewed for participants to learn how to better address EDI within their organization.
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Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment at American's Colleges, Universities and Service Academies
Please join a virtual discussion on July 14-15 aimed at eliminating sexual assault and sexual harassment within higher education and the military Services.
The Department of the Navy Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment and Suicide Prevention & Response Office (DON SAPRO) and The State University of New York (SUNY) invite you to this virtual dialogue on creating healthy climates and developing proactive leaders to recognize and address harmful behaviors.
Opening remarks by the Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Harker and SUNY Chancellor, Dr. Jim Malatras will speak to the importance and urgency of addressing these societal challenges. National experts will share key lessons learned on the role of leadership in changing culture and how we assess programmatic impact and progress. Participants will have the opportunity to join these interactive discussions, build partnerships, and learn the foundational knowledge and skills to create safer environments where all community members can thrive.
Click here for more information and to register.
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Career Empowerment for Survivors: What Advocates Need to Know Workshops 
Join NYSCADV, and Nicole Eniclerico of the YWCA of Union County for the training series, Career Empowerment for Survivor: What Advocates Need to Know*.
In this four workshop series, we will discuss key factors that affect our clientele, domestic violence survivors, in their path to a successful job search ending in employment. You will get a better understanding of how to work with and support clients through specific barriers that are limiting their capability to find employment, such as the struggle of a job search, lack of interview skills, and unstable living environments. These workshops will also provide helpful resources that can help clients reach their goals.
The workshops and topic areas are included below:
Who Should Attend:
Registration is open to domestic violence advocates of private, nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations and programs that have a primary purpose of providing shelter and supportive services to adult and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, and their dependents. This includes programs that are licensed by the NYS Office for Children and Family Services or have local NY Department of Social Services contracts to provide domestic violence services, either residential or nonresidential.
*Webinars will be recorded.
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Conceptual Clarity 3-Day Training 
Around the country there is increasing interest in creating meaningful change in men who batter, abuse, and cause harm. This training will help you create or refine a BIP that is comprehensive, clear, and customized to your organization and community. This training is what you need to enhance your credibility in your community.
This 3-day training (July 29-31) is foundational and will provide an opportunity for the most seasoned facilitators to broaden the scope of their program and enhance their awareness and skills.
The Conceptual Clarity Model is derived from a deep analysis of a progression from awareness to the cessation of harm and the presence of integrity. Developing an understanding of accountability, so that program participants connect their actions with integrity, respect, and honor. By operationalizing accountability, we promote meaningful conversations and reflection about accountability on an individual level. This model presumes competence and the capacity to change for each program participant.
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Click here to view a variety of upcoming webinars, national training, and conferences.
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Resource Center |
Friday, July 2nd, is a day of balance - it's the midpoint of the year, where there are 182 days behind us and 182 days still ahead.
For many of us, this year has meant continuing to brace ourselves from shifts that the pandemic brought with it, both in the wider movement to end sexual violence and in our lives as advocates working within it. Looking ahead to the second part of 2021, we can reestablish balance and bring fresh energy into our days by experimenting with new approaches to advocacy work.
That's why we wanted to share ways that tech - such as apps, mobile devices, and online resources - can bring balance to your work day. In a new blog, we recommend tools for advocates to explore and suggest how to mindfully engage with tech in a way that feels empowering rather than depleting. Read how you can Find Balance in Advocacy Workflow Through Tech.
Within the blog, you'll find recommendations on advocacy-centered podcasts, easy ways to access the latest research, and suggestions on how you can slow down from the information overload that comes with connecting online. If you're feeling Zoom fatigue or burnt out from looking at a screen all day, these tips can help you continue doing advocacy in a way that works for you. We've also compiled quick links to advocacy-centered podcasts and other online tools for easy access at the bottom of the blog.
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As we mark World Refugee Day, we invite you to take 15 minutes to customize a resource specifically designed to serve immigrant and international victims and survivors of violence. The SUNY Visa and Immigration Resource is intended to help colleges meet and exceed the VAWA/Clery requirement of providing (among other things) visa and immigration resources to reporting victims/survivors. The resource is customizable to your institution and automatically translates into 120 languages. With the support of SUNY and a federal grant, we provide this resource to any college or university completely free.
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How To Provide Pet Services to DV Victims - Webinar 
Research has shown the link between humans and animals can be life-changing and in some cases, life-saving.
Survivors of domestic violence are often forced to choose between their safety and the safety of their pets. Rose Brooks Center hopes to change this by providing shelters with the resources they need to offer pet services in a way that will work for their agency.
Shelter the Whole Family is a half-day training providing participants with an understanding of:
- How human violence and abuse towards animals are connected
- How your agency can provide life-saving services to victims with pets
- How to provide shelter for assistance animals while protecting your agency
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The past year has brought with it a great many challenges to our communities, to our state, and to our nation. Be it financial, health-related, or the social isolation that many of us have felt - times have been tough, and it is okay to admit that you could use some extra support.
The UW WellSpring Clinic is here to provide counseling services free of charge to any individual or couple residing in the state of Wyoming. Thanks to the generosity of ASUW and a CARES Grant through Governor Gordon's Administration, we are happy to be open and offering services both in person and via Telemental Health to residents of Wyoming.
Our clinic hours are:
- Mondays: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
- Tuesdays: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
- Thursdays: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Our services include: Individual Counseling, Couples Counseling, Substance Abuse Counseling, & Play Therapy | Parent/Family Therapy (available only to children ages 4+) and YOU are welcome at our clinic! While we cannot offer direct services to everyone who may need or want support, we will do our best to connect you to resources in your community if we do not provide the services that may best suit your individual needs.
Please be reminded that we do not offer emergency/crisis services and as a training clinic cannot work with individuals with significant risk of harm to themselves or others; AND we will assess and refer those who might benefit from more experienced/specialized care - so please refer as you see appropriate!
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ERAP: Document Flexibility & Additional Funds Request
Showing housing instability is one of the four mandatory criteria to be eligible for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). We are seeing more submitted ERAP applications with no documentation of housing instability, especially in requests for prospective (future) rent. To avoid delays, applicants must submit documentation demonstrating housing instability.
What documents do renters need to submit?
- Notices/ eviction proceedings: Submit past due notice (rent OR utility) or notice of an eviction lawsuit or eviction court hearing date for nonpayment of rent.
- Self attestation: Submit a written attestation (letter) explaining unsafe or unhealthy living conditions or other evidence of risk.
Document flexibility
Document collection can be difficult, and we don't want it to be a barrier. We want to do everything we can to make sure the money is going to the right people. Requiring some documentation is a good way to protect against fraud. Here are some ways to help:
- Local assistance: Please reach out to your local application assistance organization to find help with meeting documentation criteria. Click here for contact information
- Self attestation: If you are unable to provide documentation, ERAP permits submitting a written attestation (letter) explaining unsafe or unhealthy living conditions or other evidence of risk of homelessness.
- Future improvements: We're building interfaces with other IT systems (Unemployment Insurance, SNAP, TANF, State Auditor's Office) to streamline the process and reduce the need for documents.
Worried about eviction?
Wyoming does not have a state eviction moratorium; however, landlords participating in ERAP agree not to pursue eviction proceedings while the application is being processed. ERAP is also working with the courts to provide information about the program and has provided $1M to Equal Justice Wyoming for legal services to eligible households facing eviction and/or other housing instability
- If facing eviction, please contact Legal Aid of Wyoming, which is a sub-recipient of Equal Justice Wyoming. They may be able to provide other legal assistance to eligible ERAP renters living in Wyoming. Visit www.lawyoming.org or call 1-877-432-9955 for Legal Aid.
- If you are in need of additional help, please Dial 2-1-1 or visit wy211.communityos.org to be connected to available resources or to an organization that can help.
Need to ask for additional funds?
If renters have already applied and have been approved and now need to request additional months of rent or utilities, renters can extend their application rather than creating a new application. The ability to extend applications started Saturday, June 19.
Do you have questions about ERAP? The ERAP directly pays landlords for unpaid rent, utilities, and internet for qualified renters in Wyoming. The ERAP virtual town hall will be held on Tuesday, June 29 at 2:00 p.m. Please register here.
The Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) virtual town hall will be held on Wednesday, July 7 at 10:00 a.m. Register here. The federal American Rescue Plan Act's Homeowner Assistance Fund would provide funding to assist eligible homeowners in Wyoming with mortgage and utility cost relief.
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Spotlight |
P.E.A.C.E. Awards Nominations Open
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Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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