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Coalition Connection
Your Weekly Source of News, Training Opportunities, 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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Happy July and 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
- Join the WCADVSA Board!
- Volunteer Coordinator/ Victim Advocate with SAFE Project
Our Work
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Save the Date: October Membership Meeting and Silent Witness Initiative (October 5-7)
- ERAP Update: Gap in Accessibility to Funding
- Advocate Learning and Support Collaborative (July 14)
- Coordinated Community Response and/or Sexual Assault Response Team Intensive Technical Assistance Available
- Program Support Calls (Next: July 5)
- WCADVSA Laramie Office Hours and Program, Board, Staff and DVS List
- NNEDV Independence Project Available
Trainings, Webinars, and Events
In Wyoming
- 2022 SAFE Men's Summit (July 13)
- Silent Witness Initiative Ceremony (October 7)
- Transitional Housing Voluntary Services Training E-Learning
Across the Nation
- Futures Without Violence Seeking Survivors for Listening Session on July 22
Resources
- Reproductive Health Resources
- Financial Resource Guide for Survivors
- Applying for OVW Funding
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The WCADVSA Board is Currently Recruiting!
The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is seeking board members! We are looking to fill two legislative representatives, two program representatives, and two regional program representatives (Southeast and Northeast regions).
Composition of the Board
The WCADVSA Board consists of up to eleven members. At all times the majority of the board elected must consist of persons representing member programs. The Board is committed to diversity and will make every effort to assure sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking victims and persons from marginalized/under-served populations are represented on the Board.
Legislative Representatives:
We are seeking two currently elected Wyoming Senate or House of Representative members. Legislative board members are elected for three year terms. If during their term of office a legislative board member is no longer serving as a legislator he/she shall be a board member until June 30 of the year his/her legislative term ends. The Legislative Representative board members shall be elected from a slate of eligible candidates and voted on by the current board of directors.
Program Representatives
We are seeking two program member representatives. Members must be selected from Executive Directors or board members of current member programs. Program representative members shall be nominated by the Program members and placed on the slate of nominees prepared by the WCADVSA Executive Director under the direction of the current board. Program Representatives serve three year terms. The Program Representative board members shall be elected by the program membership.
Regional Representatives
We are seeking regional representatives from both the Southeast and Northeast regions (see regions below). Regional Representatives shall represent the four regions of the state and are mandatory board positions. The Program members of each region shall elect their regional representative to the board of directors by a plurality of the vote of the program members in that region. Regional Representatives shall be elected for terms of two years.
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Southeast Region: Goshen County, Laramie County, Albany County, Converse County, Platte County, and Niobrara County
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Northeast Region: Campbell County, Weston County, Crook County, Johnson County, Natrona County, and Sheridan County
The Board holds quarterly in-person meetings. Three of these meetings are generally connected to the membership meetings in winter (January or February), spring (May) and fall (October). Two additional conference call meetings are also held in March and December.
Board members are compensated for travel related expenses to attend Board and Membership meetings.
For more information, click here for the Board Toolkit, and here for the by-laws.
If you are interested in serving on the WCADVSA Board please complete the application.
Applications to serve on the Board are due to Kristen Schwartz or Taneesa Congdon by Friday, July 8, 2022. Complete applications can be faxed (307-755-5482), mailed (PO Box 236, Laramie, WY 82073), or e-mailed (kschwartz@wyomingdvsa.org or cfc@ywcasweetwater.org).
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility by the Board and Executive Director at the next Board meeting, July 12. Candidates will be notified of the results of the vote after the July 12th Board meeting.
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Job Opening: Volunteer Coordinator / Victim Advocate with Albany County SAFE Project
Albany County SAFE Project is seeking applicants for a Volunteer Coordinator/Victim Advocate. This position is full-time with excellent benefits including health care, vacation days, sick time, paid holidays, and Wyoming Retirement.
Starting salary range $37,000 - $39,000 DOE.
Job seekers who are bilingual in English and Spanish are encouraged to apply.
Click here for the full job description.
This position will remain open until filled.
Job Summary: The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for recruiting, training, supervising, and retaining a group of 25-30 volunteers to help staff SAFE's 24-hour hotline and aid with other projects as necessary. In addition, the Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for facilitating three 40-hour advocacy trainings per year and provides ongoing training and education opportunities to SAFE Project’s volunteer advocates. The Volunteer Coordinator supervises all of SAFE Project’s volunteers and interns and assists the Executive Director in providing training opportunities to community members and partner agencies. This position requires excellent data entry and record keeping skills.
Advocacy duties include providing support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, assisting with SAFE’s 24-hour hotline, legal advocacy, referrals, and crisis intervention. The selected candidate will be required to attend SAFE Project’s 40-hour advocacy training in the fall unless the candidate is a current SAFE Project advocate.
Please mail or deliver to the SAFE Project office at 319 S. Lincoln St., Laramie, WY 82070, or email director@safeproject.org. EOE.
Contact Faryn at 307-742-7273 with any questions.
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Save the Date: Fall Membership Meeting and Silent Witness Ceremony
Board Meeting: October 4
Membership Meeting: October 4 - 6
Silent Witness Ceremony: October 7
Save the day for our in-person Fall Membership Meeting on October 4-6, 2022 and the 2022 Silent Witness Initiative Ceremony on October 7th 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
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ERAP Update: Gap in Accessibility to Funding
Due to the extension of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds in Wyoming, WCADVSA is transitioning our ERAP grant. We anticipate a 30 - 60 day gap in accessibility to funding until we receive a new contract from the WY Department of Family Services. We will be sure to notify everyone immediately when we have a new contract in place and are able to access funds.
During the transition, we want to do what we can to help your programs ensure that the survivors' needs are still met. If you anticipate incurring any expenses during the transition, please talk to Angie and come up with the best way to handle it. The process may be delayed, but if you are able to hold off on submitting vouchers for reimbursement, we may still be able to reimburse.
If you have any questions, please contact Angie or Kristen,
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Advocate Learning and Support Collaborative
Thursday, July 14, 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, Rural Capacity Specialist, at 307-222-3352 or smarkus@wyomingdvsa.org.
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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.
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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 July 5, 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.
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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.
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No policy updates at this time - check back with us next week! | |
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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.
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Wyoming Webinars, Training and Events | |
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2022 SAFE Men's Summit
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
9:00 am - 5:00 pm MST
The 2022 SAFE Men conference is a one-day gathering to focus on engaging men and boys in gender-based violence prevention in Albany County, Wyoming. Workshops will focus on work being done locally on subjects including using storytelling as a catalyst for social change and violence prevention, the Albany County SAFE Men project, campus-specific prevention strategies, the roles of the faith community and the media in prevention. Featured speakers include prevention specialists from across the country, artists, and activists presenting on their personal journeys to safer communities.
SAFE Men's Summit will be held at the University of Wyoming Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn 2221 Grand Ave, Laramie, WY 82070 on July 19 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. To register for the SAFE Men's Summit click here.
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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 and lodging info coming soon!
For questions, suggestions on new inductees, or to learn more contact Celeste at ccollingwood@wyomingdvsa.org. To be a part of the planning committee, contact Carla at help@wyomingsafehouse.org or call 307-634-8655.
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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
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National Webinars, Training and Events | |
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Seeking Survivors For Listening Sessions!
Listening Session: Friday, July 22
Futures Without Violence’s National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence is currently conducting a needs assessment about the training and resource needs of providers caring for survivors of domestic violence.
They are holding a listening session with survivors of domestic violence to learn about their experiences with healthcare providers to inform our resources for providers.
Please circulate this interest form to any survivors who you think may be interested in participating. The listening session will take place virtually (Zoom) on Friday, July 22nd and will last approximately 90 minutes. Futures Without Violence will compensate participants with a $50 gift card.
SURVIVOR INTEREST FORM
PROVIDER SURVEY CLOSING ON JULY 1, 2022
Futures Without Violence want to hear from providers and advocates caring for survivors of domestic violence.
They are specifically looking to hear from medical providers, especially allied health professionals and providers in diverse work settings like birthing centers, public health offices, and substance abuse centers and community organizations, especially culturally specific organizations.
COMPLETE THE PROVIDER SURVEY
If this describes you, complete our needs assessment about your training and resource needs. It will take no more than ten minutes and you will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!
Please circulate this survey to those who may be interested in sharing. They will collect responses until Friday, July 1st.
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Click here to view a variety of upcoming webinars, national training, and conferences. | | | |
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Reproductive Health Resources
While the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has reversed Roe v. Wade, we can still help survivors seeking an abortion. Check out some reproductive health resources here.
- Wyoming resources:
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Wyoming Health Council https://www.wyhc.org/
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Chelsea's Fund: https://www.chelseasfund.org/ 307-438-9272
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Women’s Health and Family Care: https://whfcjackson.com/
- Located on 555 E Broadway, Suite 108, Jackson, Wyoming
- Call: 307-734-1313
- Medical: Up to 10 weeks after last period — $600, also does telemedicine
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This abortion finder site has state by state information about abortion access including emergency funds for procedures and travel costs.
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The Guttmacher Institute has a map about trigger states and the closest available state more likely to have abortion access.
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We've previously shared our paper with the National Partnership on Women and Families about linkages between anti-sexual violence work and reproductive justice work.
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NAESV sign on position statement (several years old) on the limits of rape exemptions to abortion bans.
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This RALIANCE blog on companies supporting their employees' access to reproductive healthcare options.
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And you can visit this site to find #BansOffOurBodies rallies and activism information.
For questions about the available resources, contact Tara Muir.
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Financial Resource Guide for Survivors
FinAbility, a new 501(c)3 building digital tools that financially empower survivors of domestic abuse, has created a new resource guide which directs survivors to trauma-informed resources and action-oriented information to build financial security.
Written by survivors and finance experts, this free, survivor-specific guide empowers readers to:
- Reclaim independence by taking control of their finances
- Improve financial health and security
- Learn personal finance at their own pace when they feel ready
Click here to to access the financial resources guide.
This guide is the result of ideas and feedback from 100+ survivors, advocates, and nonprofit professionals. If you find the resource guide useful or have any feedback on how to make this guide impactful for the communities you serve, contact Stacy Sawin at opportunities@finabilityus.org.
Learn more about FinAbility in the video below.
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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.
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