NYC-WTC_000195490

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

The Office of Domestic Violence and Emergency Intervention Services (ODVEIS)

The Office of Domestic Violence and Emergency Intervention Services is the Department’s planning and coordinating arm for all major municipal emergencies. ODVEIS is responsible for providing food, clothing and shelter in emergency situations.

The Office of Domestic Violence Services j ODVEIS supports contracted and directly operated programs for victims of domestic violence. Emergency and transitional housing is provided in shelters, safe homes, safe dwellings, and Tier II shelters. All programs provide a safe environment as well as counseling, advocacy, and refinal services. The Department will increase its emergency shelter capacity by 172 beds by the end of 2001, and by an additional 170 beds in 2002, for a total entiergency shelter capacity of 1,810 beds. The Department is, also working with the New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) tp increase the number of domestic violence transitional shelter facilities. Jhe Department currently supports 408 transitional, or Tier II, beds. ,

The Department also maintains contracts with 15 not-for-profit organizations to provide non-residential i services, including a telephone hotline, counseling, information and referral, advocacy, and community outreach in all five boroughs. These programs provide specialized resources to victims of domestic violence, including those for whom language and cultural barriers pose a difficulty in accessing assistance.

The Department will continue to enhance the range of services available to victims of domestic violence in 2002. Domestic Violence Liaison units in Job Centers will be expanded with staff that are trained to assess the needs of domestic violence victims. The Domestic Violence units will also assist domestic violence victims with specialized engagement plans that will include appropriate employment and support services to help participants remain safe while developing skills to move toward self-reliance. An additional $287,443 provided in the Exeputive Budget will support staff in ODVEIS to manage shelter information systems, to develop policies and procedures, and to monitor training initiatives and, other special projects.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP)

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) supports distribution of food to the City’s network of food pantries and soiip kitchens and coordinates nutrition education programs. In 2002 EFAP will purchase and distribute more than 10 million pounds df food that will be delivered to over 630 food pantries and soup kitchens, wl^ich will serve between 25 and 30 million meals. Y I Pifotective Services for Adults

Protective Services for Adults (PS A) supports crisis counseling, financial management, eviction prevention Assistance, and referrals to other support services for adults. Each month PSA staff and contractors serve nearly 5,000 clients who are Unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental impairment and who are threatened ivith neglect, abuse, or exploitation. In ah effort to reduce the incidence of elder abuse in 2001, PS A implemented a pilot program ini Brooklyn that provides outreach, education, and linkages with the District Attorney’s Office. In 2002, the Department anticipates expanding this initiative into the other boroughs. In addition, PSA has implemented new contracts for an expanded Eviction Prevention Program and a new model of community-based case management services designed for long-term clients. By the end of 2001, all PSA offices will be outfitted with new computers, and in 2002 PSA will automate its case management and financial management systems to strengthen accountability and improve the ability to manage cases. ’ ' ' ’ ' , ! ■

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