House Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #205 Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
Requester:	Cheryl Rogers		Organization:		Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
Project Title:	Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse		Date Submitted:		01/25/2000 2:32:05 PM
District Member:	Suzanne Jacobs		Service Area:		Statewide
Counties Affected:	Palm Beach
Recipient:	Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse		Contact:		Cheryl Rogers
	P. O. Box 667		Contact Phone:		(561) 265-3797
	Delray Beach 33447
Project Description:
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) is requesting a one-time allocation of $750,000 to construct a 9,500 square foot addition to its emergency shelter. (This component is the second phase of a two phase project). This construction will provide an additional 40 beds for transitional housing for battered women and their children who have left AVDA's emergency shelter after a 6-8 week stay. This addition will enable them to stay at the facility for up to one year, during which time they will be able to save for permanent housing. It is anticipated that completion of this phase will help approximately 80 to 120 additional women and children during any one year period.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
AVDA will provide the following services: 24 hour secured transitional housing, comprehensive domestic violence counseling, on-site child care, transportation services, housing advocacy, and case management. Comprehensive services will assist in the prevention of Florida residents from becoming homeless or returning to their abusers. Case managers will work with a life skills counselor who is trained in domestic violence counseling. This team approach will allow on-going therapeutic services together with life skills training and extended case management. Battered women will have the tools to achieve defined goals as well as encouragement to attain self-determination and independence. Case managers will assist residents with housing advocacy, identifying barriers and assistance in overcoming them. Transitional housing will provide women and children with an environment where they can live with dignity, safety and independence. The investment the State of Florida makes in providing its survivors of domestic violence with transitional housing will help lower the costs association with the crime of domestic violence and will ultimately save the taxpayers millions of dollars per year.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
1. AVDA will provide transitional housing to 80-120 battered women and children exiting from emergency shelter. A resident's duration of stay is three months to one year. AVDA anticipates an average stay of six months. 2. AVDA will provide comprehensive case management and advocacy to approximately 80-120 women and children. 3. 90% of all transitional housing residents will achieve three personal goals including obtaining affordable, permanent housing. In conclusion, the shelter expansion and new construction will provide momentum in the effort to curtail domestic violence in the State of Florida. If AVDA receives funding, transitional housing and supportive services will give battered women and children an opportunity to stay in a program which will prepare them to be successful in obtaining employment and financial independence.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$750,000
Total cost of the project:		$1,200,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations and Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?						Yes
	Cash Amount:	$600,000		In-Kind Amount:		$20,800
Was this project previously funded by the State?						No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?						Yes
	Amount:	$200,000
	Purpose for future year funding:				Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?					No
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?						No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?						No
Is there a documented need for this project?						Yes
	Documentation:	Agency Needs Assessment, Consumer and Community Surveys
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?						Yes
	Hearing Body:	Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:	02/01/2000