Survivor Services Addressing Intersection of Domestic Violence, Mental Health and Homelessness Supported by American Rescue Plan Funding Administered by OFVPS

Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for families in the United States.¹  Many families fleeing domestic violence often turn to domestic violence shelters for help and support.² The employees at Cumberland Valley Domestic Violence Services (CVDVS), a FVPSA subrecipient funded through ZeroV who is contracted through the State of Kentucky to distribute FVPSA funds, provided services and support to a survivor who struggled with substance abuse and severe mental health conditions due to her history of abuse. The lived experience of substance use, mental health challenges, and abuse also lead to homelessness. The survivor was referred to Cumberland Valley Domestic Violence Services for assistance. With the encouragement of CVDVS staff the survivor entered recovery services at Freedom House where she completed the program. Freedom House, managed by the Volunteers of America is an excellent community resource and partner of ZeroV and FVPSA funded shelters. Freedom House is a primary source of referrals for survivors who are experiencing substance abuse and trauma and domestic violence. They understand the complexities of recovery and address the underlying challenge of the intersection of addiction and trauma. Freedom House also allows flexibility for the pregnant or parenting survivor to bring their children to the in-patient recovery facility. They have effectively removed the all-too-common barrier of childcare during recovery. This survivor completed services and re-entered Shelter. The survivor is now thriving, meeting self-determined goals for therapy, utilizing case management services, and working toward moving into transitional housing, goals never thought possible before receiving assistance. Sherrie Bell, Executive Director of Cumberland Valley Domestic Violence Services states:  

 “Many survivors come to emergency shelter with struggling intersecting challenges, such as mental health condition and substance use. It is our job, as advocates, to receive the survivors where they are at and find appropriate care and services for their needs. This story is an excellent example of how our advocates worked hard to ensure appropriate care was provided to a survivor struggling with substance use. Many times, we need to make referrals to the community, and Freedom House has been a great community partner and resource in helping our survivors heal through their recovery journey.” This survivor and many others have benefited from the OFVPS administering ARP supplemental funding which supports the activities and services at numerous local domestic violence shelters.” 

For more information about OFVPS please visit: Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services | The Administration for Children and Families 

_{¹ Bassuk, E. L., DeCandia, C. J., Beach, C. A., Berman, F., AIR’s Health and Social Development Program, & THE NATIONAL CENTER ON Family Homelessness. (2014). America’s Youngest Outcasts: A report card on child homelessness. https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report/Americas-Youngest-Outcasts-Child-Homelessness-Nov2014.pdf}