As we begin a new year, we are providing this edition of For Better Times to highlight some of the services that ICADV provides and some of the people that help provide them. It is also about our growth and desire to expand our ability to support our member programs that work round the clock with families experiencing domestic violence.

In 2022, the community based services helping families escape the violence in their homes have been able to expand their opportunities to reach more survivors. Services for responding to domestic violence were increased in the state budget for fiscal year 2023. This has allowed local agencies to add staff, provide more prevention education, increase community outreach and to serve more adults and children. It has also allowed our office to increase our capacity to provide more trainings and education to local programs and participate in other collaborative efforts with other professionals to create coordinated efforts for prevention and intervention in domestic violence.

One example of our collaborative efforts is our participation in the trainings being developed by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. ICADV staff have participated on several committees addressing different aspects of domestic violence that judges oversee in our courts. These trainings will be a great opportunity for judges to better understand all the behaviors expressed by those who are being abused as well as those that are causing harm. In turn, judges can help provide solutions that have more impact on reducing domestic violence.

The local domestic violence services agency serving your community is busier than ever. And that is a positive. More people- whether they are being harmed or causing harm – have more opportunity to seek assistance. The more people that reach out for help the more we have a chance at reducing homicides. The more our programs expand the more they can provide prevention education in our schools. The more collaborations we can participate in the more we help police, nurses, and teachers recognize domestic violence and can provide families alternatives for living safely in their own homes.

At the root of so many of our social problems is domestic violence. Every opportunity we get to work together the more we can offer everyone alternatives to control and violence against their loved ones. As you read this edition of For Better Times, please consider how you can become part of the solution to ending violence. On behalf of everyone at the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, have a safe and peaceful 2023.