|
Coalition Connection
Your Weekly Source of News, Training Opportunities, Resources, and Events
| |
Through a collective voice, the WCADVSA is committed to provide leadership, education, and systems advocacy to advance social change and end violence. | |
|
|
Welcome to your weekly edition of the Coalition Connection!
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, email Celeste at ccollingwood@wyomingdvsa.org for help.
We will highlight important information in this section each week in red that requires your action or attention. This week's highlights include:
Opportunities
- Laramie Staff Attorney with WCADVSA
- Participants Needed for Research Project with Violence Against Women Research Consortium
- Director of Client Services with Community Safety Network
Our Work
- PEACE Awards Nominations are OPEN
- Allstate Barrier Reduction Funds Available
- ERAP Update: Contract in Place
-
Advocate Learning and Support Collaborative (Aug. 25)
- Coordinated Community Response and/or Sexual Assault Response Team Intensive Technical Assistance Available
-
Program Support Calls (Next: Sept. 6)
- WCADVSA Laramie Office Hours and Program, Board, Staff and DVS List
- NNEDV Independence Project Available
Abortion Access in Wyoming
- HB92 Abortion Ban will not go into effect in Wyoming - any time soon!
- Reproductive Health Resources
- Post-Roe Resources for Advocates: Supporting Reproductive Freedom and Choice
- Core Principles of Survivor-centered, Voluntary Services Inform Our Work
Policy Updates
Across the Nation
- Safe Connections Act of 2022
Trainings, Webinars, and Events
In Wyoming
-
National Sexual Assault Conference: Embracing Intersectionality (Aug. 17-19) - Travel Funds available
-
Primary Prevention Training (Aug. 31 - Sept. 1) - Travel Funds available
-
Registration Opening Aug 15 for 6th Annual WyoCVPR (September 21-23) - Travel Funds available
-
Save the Date: October Membership Meeting (Oct. 5-6)
-
Save the Date: Silent Witness Initiative Ceremony (Oct. 7)
- Transitional Housing Voluntary Services Training E-Learning
Across the Nation
- DV Counts Informational Webinar (Aug. 16)
- Proposals Open for the Collaborative Responses to Domestic Violence in Rural Communities Conference
- Annual CAAN Meeting (Nov. 2-3)
Resources
- DVAM and #GiveForDV Toolkit
- Applying for OVW Funding
| |
|
Laramie Staff Attorney
with the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault's Legal Project is hiring for a new Laramie Staff Attorney! Click here to view the full job description.
Position Responsibilities:
- The Staff Attorney will provide holistic civil legal representation to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
- Research, develop and facilitate opportunities to increase the Legal Program’s accessibility for culturally specific populations to minimally include Native American, Latino, LGBTQ and elderly communities.
- Provide limited legal representation in some cases, including legal advice, referrals and support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking who contact the coalition office through brief service phone sessions.
- Provide assistance to applicants and clients through screening, safety planning and legal research.
- Participate in weekly case reviews and be responsible for time keeping, including recording important due dates and tasks on calendar.
- Work well and share case load with WCADVSA Staff Attorney(s).
- Work closely with advocates and member programs to assist victims with accessing legal information and assistance.
- Assist with developing written resource materials useful to domestic violence and sexual assault advocates and victims including manuals, training curricula and attorney referral lists.
- Provide updates and or materials at regularly scheduled coalition meetings regarding current legal issues and activities.
- Willingness and ability to travel for legal work and continuing education; some overnight travel generally in Wyoming with some out of state travel required.
- Attend and conduct trainings/meetings to increase skills and knowledge of self and of advocates and attorneys across the state.
- Collect data for grant reporting and assist in report preparation.
- Maintain confidentiality as required by law.
- Co-supervise legal assistant(s) and externs.
- Other duties as assigned.
Salary range is $60,000-$65,000/Year. The WCADVSA offers a competitive benefits package including vacation and sick time, holidays, personal days, health, dental, vision, and life insurance, and a retirement plan. Applicants must be licensed to practice law in Wyoming. People who sat for the July 2022 bar will be considered.
Click here to download the complete job description.
We will being reviewing applications starting August 31, 2022. Position will remain open until filled.
Please email a copy of your resume and cover letter to Lindsey Hunt at lhunt@wyomingdvsa.org, or mail them to PO Box 236, Laramie, WY, 82073.
| |
|
Participants Needed for Research Project with Violence Against Women Research Consortium
Hello! My name is Elisabet Martinez, I work with Dean Judy Postmus, at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work. Dean Postmus is a co-principal investigator for Violence Against Women Research Consortium (VAWRC). The focus of VAWRC is to identify, implement, and disseminate research and evaluation projects that fill the gaps in our current knowledge and works collaboratively with interdisciplinary researchers and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) research scientists.
We are seeking service providers and researchers in the field of intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence (SV), stalking, and teen dating violence (TDV) to participate in a listening session. The purpose of the listening sessions is to identify current gaps in the field and future areas of research. The feedback will inform a “10-year Blueprint for Next Steps in Research” for the National Institute of Justice. These one-hour sessions will be held via zoom and focus on one of the four topic areas.
If you or your colleagues have any interest in participating, please reach out to Elisabet at elisabet.martinez@ssw.umaryland.edu. Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.
| |
|
Director of Client Services
with Community Safety Network in Teton County
Join the Community Safety Network and an exceptional and compassionate team dedicated to supporting those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in the Teton area. The Director of Client
Services is a leadership role overseeing the fidelity, implementation and evolution of the trauma-informed client service model at Community Safety Network. This role includes supervision and support of two client advocates and a residential case manager. Additional duties include direct client services, collaboration with community partners, database management and grant reporting.
Salary range is $75,000 to $85,000 commensurate with experience. CSN offers a robust benefits package that includes healthcare, retirement, and paid leave. A Master's Degree in social work, counseling, psychology or other related field is preferred, candidates with 4+ years of relevant experience will also be considered. Bilingual Spanish/English skills are also preferred. Ideal start date is August 15, 2022.
A detailed job description is available at here.
To Apply: Please email a brief cover letter and resume to admin@csnjh.org.
| |
Now Accepting PEACE Awards Nominations!
The WCADVSA will present the P.E.A.C.E. Awards on October 5, 2022 at our October Membership Meeting in Cheyenne, in recognition of those who demonstrate excellence and initiative to serve and advance the rights of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As peace is the antithesis of violence, the award stands for “Promoting Excellence in Advocacy for Change and Empowerment.” The award acknowledges the valuable role individuals and organizations play in the effort to end violence and empower victims in Wyoming. Click here to nominate an individual or organization.
Categories for the P.E.A.C.E. Award are:
-
Outstanding Advocate – This award seeks to spotlight exemplary direct service domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking advocates who have gone the extra mile to promote the safety and welfare of victims and their families. An outstanding advocate empowers victims in their journey to becoming survivors.
-
Leadership in Advocacy – This award recognizes visionary individuals and/or organizations who have dared to not only address issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking but have actively dedicated themselves to finding innovative solutions and alternatives to interpersonal violence in our State. A leader in advocacy has served a minimum of five (5) years as a mentor or inspiration to others in their organization, community, or state-wide in service to victims and to ending interpersonal violence in Wyoming.
-
Leadership in Policy – This award recognizes local and state lawmakers, policymakers and elected officials who have improved Wyoming’s response to issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking through enactment and/or implementation of policies or laws to uphold the rights of victims and/or to hold offenders accountable.
-
Partners in Advocacy - This award recognizes individuals and/or organizations who have worked as significant allies to improve services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, to support local domestic violence/sexual assault programs, and have contributed to promoting prevention to end interpersonal violence in Wyoming.
-
Lifetime Contribution - This award highlights individuals whose lives have been dedicated to ending violence against women. Their sustained span of work (minimum of 10 years) will demonstrate a positive impact on individuals, organizations, or communities to address issues of interpersonal violence in Wyoming.
| |
Allstate Barrier Reduction Funds Available!
Flexible Funds to Reduce Education, Employment, and Job Training Barriers for Survivors
With support from The Allstate Foundation, the WCADVSA has funds to support education, employment, and job training barriers for survivors. These funds can be used to help support survivors in obtaining G.E.D.s, job skills training, certifications, licenses, continuing education, education/job-related supplies such as uniforms, tools, and/or other equipment, transportation-related support, etc.
If your program is offering training on the Allstate Moving Ahead Curriculum or other economic empowerment training, you may request funds to support and encourage survivor participation such as offering food and/or childcare during economic empowerment events or gas gift cards for survivors to get to the training.
Member programs may also inquire about offering scholarships to help support survivor participation in job training programs such as CLIMB Wyoming.
We have approximately $9,750.00 remaining. Remaining funds will be pledged on a first come first serve basis. To request funds, please submit an Allstate Barrier Reduction Request Form. Once your request has been approved, your program will pay expenses upfront and then you can request reimbursement by submitting an Allstate Barrier Reduction Reimbursement Form.
While it is not required for participants to utilize the Allstate Moving Ahead curriculum to access these funds, financial planning and management is a life-long process and this online curriculum is designed for domestic violence survivors and can help provide the guidance and tools needed to make important financial decisions and work toward gaining long-term financial security.
If you have any questions, please connect with Trish Worley
| |
|
ERAP Update: Contract in Place
The ERAP contract is now in place! If you have ERAP eligible clients that are in need of housing stability services, please call or email Angie with the ERAP # and the specific needs of the client.
If you've been holding off on submitting your reimbursement requests, you can go ahead and submit now.
Thanks for your patience.
If you have any questions, please contact Angie or Kristen,
| |
|
Advocate Learning and Support Collaborative
Thursday, August 25, 2022, 1:00 - 2:30 pm MST
Program Advocates are invited to join an opportunity to meet, connect with, and learn alongside fellow advocates!
The Advocate Learning and Support Collaborative will be held every other Thursday, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm over Zoom. All membership program advocates are invited to connect in this space, to meet and provide support to one another, and to engage in a learning community together as we explore and discuss resources provided by national domestic violence and sexual assault organizations.
Please register HERE or contact Susie Markus at 307-222-3352 or smarkus@wyomingdvsa.org.
| |
|
Coordinated Community Response and/or Sexual Assault Response Team Intensive Technical Assistance is Available from the WCADVSA!
This assistance is available for existing teams that may be seeking resources and technical assistance, or communities interested in starting up, revising, or reviving your teams!
Please contact Susie Markus at smarkus@wyomingdvsa.org or 307-222-3352 for more information.
| |
|
Program Support Calls
Held first Tuesday of every month
at 1:00 pm via Zoom
Alina from Zenit Journaling will be joining us this year to work on self-care and healing with Program Directors and designated advocates. This will consist of mini journaling sessions the first Tuesday of each month at noon (before our program support call), and in person workshops during our October Membership Meeting.
Here is the Zoom Link for Mini Journaling Sessions.
Program Support Calls are an opportunity for DVSA program directors (or their designee) to connect with other programs and WCADVSA staff about the work being done around Wyoming. Coalition staff will invite others to join the support calls at the request of membership.
Our next Program Support Call is September 6, 2022. Join us by clicking this Zoom link (it will be emailed directly to member program directors).
Contact Kristen at kschwartz@wyomingdvsa.org with any questions or problems connecting.
| |
NNEDV Independence Project Available
Credit Building through Micro-Lending
Just a reminder that NNEDV is able to provide $00 credit-building, micro-loans to survivors. Through the Independence Project, advocates and local domestic violence programs across the nation can support survivors of domestic violence in improving their credit scores through micro-lending. Through the Independence Project, a survivor can apply for a credit building micro-loan of $100 and to repay this loan over the subsequent 10 months with no interest.
To apply please register at the following link: Independence Project Application Sign Up.
Thanks to the generous and continued support of The Allstate Foundation, which makes many of these loans possible! Click here to learn more.
If you have any questions, please connect with Trish Worley or contact the NNEDV team.
| |
Abortion Access in Wyoming | | |
|
HB92 Abortion Ban will not go into effect in Wyoming - any time soon!
From the Buckrail: "In a 22-page written decision, filed with the Teton County Clerk of District Court today, Aug. 10 at 12:07 p.m., Judge Melissa Owens granted the plaintiffs in Johnson v. State of Wyoming a motion for preliminary injunction.
The injunction restrains the enforcement of House Bill 92, also known as Wyoming’s abortion trigger ban from being enforced.
Judge Melissa Owens stated her reasoning for this order was due to "uncertainties about how women asking for abortions would clarify that they’ve been victims of rape or incest"
Unlike the temporary restraining order granted on July 27, which expired August 10, 2022, the preliminary injunction is effective immediately and will stay in effect “until the final resolution of this case on its merits unless modified or dissolved by the Court.”
Read more in the Buckrail on the procedural issues here.
Read more in the Cowboy State Daily here.
| |
|
Reproductive Health Resources
We are in the process of creating a reproductive health resources page on our website to help us all keep track of and understand reproductive rights and resources for Wyoming residents. If you have any information to share or questions you would like addressed in our webpage please reach out to either Tara Muir or Celeste Collingwood
| |
|
Post-Roe Resources for Advocates: Supporting Reproductive Freedom and Choice
We all have a lot of questions about where reproductive freedoms stand, especially for survivors who seek assistance. Because of this we know there is a need for communicating the very real and immediate threat that a Wyoming abortion ban poses to survivor freedom and choice.
Luckily, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance has created a reproductive freedom and choice for survivors resource for advocates. While this may not answer all our questions with the ongoing uncertainty of it all, it's a start.
Click here to see the full Reproductive Freedom & Choice for Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence Resources for Advocates
Values Messaging: Reproductive Freedom & Choice for Sexual and Domestic Violence Survivors.
Reach out to your representatives and let them know that sexual and domestic violence survivors deserve reproductive freedom!
Use this this link to find out who your elected representatives are, including their contact info, if you aren’t sure.
Do you have more questions about HB92? Reach out to Tara, the WCADVSA Public Policy Director.
| |
|
Core Principles of Survivor-centered, Voluntary Services Inform Our Work, still.
Alicia Aiken JD, principal consult for the Confidentiality Institute, shares this important reminder.
In the wake of the Dobbs decision, when many long-held norms about privacy and self-determination feel completely upended, it is a good time to remember how the core principles of survivor-centered, voluntary services inform our work and have not changed.
Best practice means that community-based programs…
-
record the minimum amount of information necessary to serve the survivor’s needs, as determined by the survivor
- only collect the information that survivors think is related to the help they want from the program
- not ask for unnecessary information about survivor’s past trauma or other aspects of their lives
-
purge records when they are no longer needed to serve survivor’s needs
-
vigorously protect records from inappropriate or unlawful demands for disclosure, and
- never position themselves as an extension of law enforcement or as rescuers of survivors and their children
-
help survivors to make informed decisions about how they share their information with other providers or services, and how they use location-based and internet searches to find reproductive and other health care.
Programs should be assisting survivors to safety plan and collect any documentation that survivors find helpful.
-
Programs should not be providing long-term storage for survivor documentation (for evidence or other purposes).
- Programs should be strategizing with survivors and community partners (including law firms and banks) so that survivors can safely store their documentation in highly protective locations that survivors control (like safe deposit boxes or zero knowledge on-line storage sites).
| |
|
Safe Connections Act of 2022
We are thrilled that H.R. 7132, the “Safe Connections Act of 2022,” was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Introduced by U.S. Congresswomen Ann McLane Kuster (NH-2) and Anna Eshoo (CA-18), if enacted into law this bipartisan bill would give survivors of abuse the ability to remove themselves from family phone plans safely and easily without any termination fees.
For many years, survivors have been locked-in to family phone plan contracts that impact their privacy and safety. Abusive partners misuse family phone plans as part of a harmful pattern of control. Many plans have features that giving access to sensitive information such as a survivor’s location, call and text message history, or voicemails. These features can then be used by an abuser to monitor, stalk, threaten and harass a survivor. The bill now heads back to the Senate and NNEDV urges the Senate to quickly pass the bill.
Learn more about Safe Connections Act of 2022 here and here.
| |
|
All year long, you can visit our website to review the most recent legislative sessions and what we have worked on, as well as archived previous years.
Follow this link, or you can always get to that page in the "Get Involved" drop-down menu and then "Public Policy". Please share with staff and board members. We'll work on getting our regular public policy zoom calls on that webpage, too.
| |
Wyoming Webinars, Training and Events | |
|
Save the Date: Fall Membership Meeting
Board Meeting: October 4
Membership Meeting: October 4 - 6
Save the day for our in-person Fall Membership Meeting on October 4-6, 2022 at the Blue Community Events Center in Cheyenne, WY (2401 East Pershing Blvd).
Agenda and registration information coming soon.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Celeste at ccollingwood@wyomingdvsa.org
| |
Save the Date: 2022 Silent Witness Ceremony
When: October 7, 2022
Where: Blue Community Events Center (2401 East Pershing Blvd. Cheyenne, WY 82001)
We are excited to share that the 2022 Silent Witness Initiative will be hosted by the Laramie County Safehouse Services and will be held at the Blue Community Events Center in Cheyenne.
Agenda coming soon!
For questions, please contact Celeste at ccollingwood@wyomingdvsa.org.
| |
Transitional Housing Voluntary Services Training E-Learning
The NNEDV Voluntary Services Training will be completed through an e-learning module. 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.
Please email a copy of your certificate to Trish Worley, Economic Justice Specialist
| |
National Webinars, Training and Events | |
|
DV Counts Informational Webinar
August 16, 2022 at 1:30 MST
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is gearing up for their 17th Annual Domestic Violence Counts survey and report. #DVCounts is an annual noninvasive, unduplicated count of adults and children who seek services from U.S. domestic violence shelter programs during a single 24-hour survey period. Conducted annually by NNEDV since 2006, DV Counts takes into account the dangerous nature of domestic violence by using a survey designed to protect the confidentiality and safety of victims.
We are excited for your program to participate in this year’s #DVCounts on Wednesday, September 7, and invite you to join an informational webinar on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 3:30 PM ET.
Please click here to register!
Attendees will receive a preview of this year’s survey, hear frequently asked questions, and learn more about collecting data for this year's count. As they roll out some new features this year, we recommend that at least one person from each participating program attend. (If you cannot attend live, English and Spanish recordings will be shared afterwards.)
Please reach out to the NNEDV DV Counts Team at DVCounts@NNEDV.org with any questions.
| |
|
Proposals Open for the Collaborative Responses to Domestic Violence in Rural Communities Conference
October 3 - 4, 2022 at 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM MST
Topics of Interest are:
- Mobile Advocacy Options
- Lack of Public Transportation
- Limited Housing for Survivors
- Telehealth Options for Rural Hospitals
- Limited Staff, Volunteers, and Men’s Auxiliaries
- Lack of Community Awareness Surrounding Domestic Violence
Coordinated Community Responses (CCRs) have been recognized as a best practice in reducing domestic violence since the Violence Against Women Act was enacted over 20 years ago and can be particularly effective in rural communities, where close-knit relationships and highly engaged community members provide an ideal jumping off point for collaborative efforts. However, with limited resources that must stretch further than their urban counterparts’, it can often be a struggle to implement and sustain this approach.
Recognizing this, ICCR and the Conference on Crimes Against Women are coming together to provide critical training and resources for implementing collaborative, systemic responses to domestic violence in rural communities nationwide.
Submit a Proposal HERE
Visit instituteccr.org/rural-conference/ to learn more.
| |
|
DVAM and #GiveForDV Toolkit
Domestic Violence Awareness month (DVAM) and Giving Tuesday (#GiveForDV) will be here before you know it. Luckily, NNEDV in partnership with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), have created a unified #Every1KnowsSome1 DVAM messaging campaign and a nationwide cause-based #GiveForDV giving coalition for Giving Tuesday. The goal of these two joint initiatives is to raise awareness, increase donations and volunteer efforts, and deepen community engagement by connecting our work nationwide. Coalitions and DV programs are critical to building GiveForDV into a larger movement to mobilize charitable support for domestic and sexual violence programs at the local, state, territorial, and national level. By uniting our efforts through the same hashtags and simple messaging, through GiveForDV and during DVAM, it builds the case that Every1 has a part to play in supporting our work to end domestic violence... on Giving Tuesday and every day throughout the year.
Here's how you can get involved in the coming weeks and months:
1. Register your organization online. NEW this year! DVAM and GiveForDV have their own GiveGab website where you can access and download toolkit elements, provide a platform for supporters to donate, and more. Please sign up to be a participating program with GiveGab even if you do not plan to collect donations there. We want to show up, together, on the same day, in the same place—that uplifts all of our work and magnifies our impact more than we can do on our own. Deadline to register is September 30, 2022.
2. Use the toolkit. We hope you will join us in this campaign by incorporating some of the provided messaging, including social media posts and graphics, emails, press releases, and more. You may use as much or as little of the provided content as you would like, and you are welcome to add your own logos or information to content as you see fit. We hope this will make things simple and turnkey, especially when we’re all so busy and juggling so many priorities.
| | |
|
|
Applying for Office on Violence Against Women Funding
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) invites organizations and communities working to end gender-based violence to apply for funding. This section provides general information about how to apply for OVW grants and cooperative agreements.
You can also stay updated on OVW Open Solicitations and their ongoing Solicitation Release Plan.
| | |
Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved. | | | | |
