NCJ Number
66388
Date Published
1979
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE NEW JERSEY STATE DIVISION ON WOMEN EXPRESSES ITS SUPPORT FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND SERVICES ACT (HR 2977) AND RECOGNIZES THE NEED FOR INCREASED INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION REGARDING SERVICE CENTERS.
Abstract
THE DIVISION HAS WITNESSED THE EMERGENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS FROM SECRECY AND THE INCREASED NEED FOR SHELTERS AND INFORMATION. THE DIVISION'S BOOKLET LISTING NEW JERSEY SHELTERS WAS IN ITS FOURTH PRINTING BY JULY, 1979. ALL 13 FUNDED SHELTER PROGRAMS OPENED SINCE 1978 HAVE BEEN FILLED TO CAPACITY WITHIN DAYS, AS WERE THE EIGHT OTHER PROGRAMS, OFFERING EMERGENCY SHELTER COUNSELING SERVICES TO VICTIMS. THE SEARCH FOR FUNDING BY ALL CENTERS INVOLVES A MAZE OF TITLE XX PROTECTIVE SERVICES FUNDS, THE COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT, LEAA, AND STATE AND COUNTY WELFARE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUNDS. STAFF TIME IS TOO OFTEN TAKEN UP BY THE SEARCH FOR REPLACEMENT FUNDS, WHEN IT COULD BE DEVOTED TO IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY. THE VIABILITY OF THESE EXISTING, SUCCESSFUL, GRASSROOTS SHELTER PROGRAMS IS DEPENDENT UPON AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL RESPONSE TO THEIR FINANCIAL PLIGHT. THESE PROGRAMS ALSO NEED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE AREAS OF FUND RAISING AND GOOD MANAGEMENT. RATHER THAN TOTAL FEDERAL OR STATE INTERVENTION, THEY NEED SHORT TERM, LIMITED FEDERAL FUNDING TO ESTABLISH THEIR CREDIBILITY IN THE COMMUNITY AND TO GAIN STRENGTH. THE DIVISION THEREFORE APPLAUDS THE HR 2977 PROVISION THAT PRIMARY CONSIDERATION FOR FUNDING BE GIVEN TO GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY-BASED SHELTER PROGRAMS. THE DIVISION REQUESTS MORE REPRESENTATION ON THE PROPOSED COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND SOME CHANGES IN THE PROVISION'S LANGUAGE. NEW JERSEY'S MOST RECENT LEGISLATION REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS LISTED, AND APPENDIXES SHOW THE DIVISION'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HR 2977, AN EXAMPLE OF AN ABUSE CENTER, AND THE DIVISION'S RESOURCE GUIDE. (MHP)