• 24-hour, seven-day a week crisis hotline offers immediate intervention, safety planning, information, and referral for anyone in and outside of Cuyahoga County experiencing concerns about domestic violence.  Women can also access shelter by calling the hotline.

Shelter

• Confidentially located shelter provide a safe environment for women and their children who need immediate protection from violence and abuse.  Advocacy, counseling, children services, group support, housing assistance, and court escorts are provided for all residents.

Youth Programming

• Services are offered to address the special needs of children in shelter, helping them begin to heal from the trauma of witnessing or experiencing domestic violence.  Individualized plans are created for each child to help them overcome barriers to successful development, and structured activities are provided to help children express their feelings and fears, such as play and art therapy.

Justice System Advocacy

• Justice system advocates respond to victims' needs for crisis intervention, information, court escort, personal advocacy, and emotional support as they seek the full protection of domestic violence laws, including assistance with criminal and civil protective orders.  Advocates work daily with victims in all but two of the suburban municipal courts.  DVC also provides advocacy to victims in the domestic violence relations court who are going through proceedings, or dealing with custody and/or visitation issues.

Counseling

•  Counseling for adults and children who have been impacted by domestic violence.

Support Groups

• Confidential, weekly support groups are held throughout Cuyahoga County so victims can talk with one another about their experiences with domestic violence, and receive needed information and support.

Latina Domestic Violence Project

• Works to facilitate safe options and stability for Latina victims of domestic violence and their children. The program offers culturally sensitive services which take into consideration the realities of Latino life, including cultural diversity and values. Specific services the program provides include Justice System Advocacy, personal advocacy, escorts to police and hospitals, a Spanish-speaking support group, counseling services, hotline assistance and shelter services. All of the services are available in Spanish or English, and are free of charge.

Supervised Visitation Program

• Provides a safe, nurturing environment where children can spend quality time with a non-residential parent when supervision is required. Non residential parents have the opportunity to build relationships with their children while a DVC staff person observes and ensures the safety of those present. The Supervised Visitation Program aims to provide a seamless process for children so they are not traumatized by parental conflicts regarding visitation. The center also enables parents to follow no-contact orders and provides safety for domestic violence victims. Families are often referred by court orders, attorneys or community service agencies. Parents can also request services themselves if both parents are willing to participate.

Community Education and Speaker's Bureau

• Professional training and community awareness programs on domestic violence to human service agencies, law enforcement, medical professionals, businesses, as well as speakers for community groups, schools, and organizations to further understand domestic violence issues and implications.

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