NCJ Number
57925
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PROGRAM, SUPPORTED ENTIRELY WITH COUNTY FUNDS, GAVE ASSISTANCE TO 268 FAMILIES IN 1977, ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION. BOTH EMERGENCY AID AND LONG TERM SUPPORT SERVICES ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM DEVELOPED FROM A GRASSROOTS EFFORT WHEN LOCAL WOMEN'S GROUPS AND THOSE WORKING WITH FAMILIES OF ALCOHOLICS RECOGNIZED THE OFTEN HOPELESS PLIGHT OF VICTIMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE. THE FIRST YEAR, 90 WOMEN NEEDED EMERGENCY SHELTER CARE, EITHER IN A TRADITIONAL GROUP SHELTER HOME OR IN A QUIET PLACE. SHELTER CARE IS PROVIDED BY A CONTRACTUAL MOTEL ARRANGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS A 24-HOUR EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER TO RESPOND TO CRISES AT ALL TIMES; IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL AID FOR FOOD, MEDICAL, TRANSPORTATION, AND CHILD-CARE SERVICES; SUPPORT AND EDUCATIONAL GROUPS FOR WOMEN STILL LIVING AT HOME AS WELL AS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT; SHORT TERM INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING; AND SUPPORTIVE VOLUNTEERS. THERE ARE NO INCOME ELIGIBILITY LIMITS BECAUSE WOMEN FROM MODERATE TO HIGH INCOME HOMES OFTEN HAVE NO READY ACCESS TO CASH TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES DURING THE INITIAL CRISIS AND MAY NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER FAMILY RESOURCES UNTIL LEGAL INTERVENTION CAN BE ARRANGED. SERVICES ALSO ARE GIVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF ABUSING PARENTS. A TEAM APPROACH INVOLVING A TRAINED SOCIAL WORKER IS USED TO HELP POLICE RESPOND TO DOMESTIC CRISIS CALLS. THE TESTIMONY ENDS WITH AN APPEAL FOR AN EXTENSION OF TITLE XX TO COVER FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. THE 1978 BUDGET OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PROGRAM IS APPENDED. FOR RELATED DOCUMENTS, SEE NCJ 57922-57924 AND NCJ 57926-57941. (GLR)