Family Crisis Services (FCS) is a joint domestic violence and sexual assault program which provides direct sport and advocacy services to victims and their families in Tazewell County and Russell County.  In addition to direct victim services, FCS offers an Education and Community Outreach Program, a Batterer Intervention Program, a Volunteer Advocate Program, a Shelter & Transitional Housing Program, and a Family Matters Program.

Imagine having a mother and three children living in an abusive home—being beaten, feeling hopeless with nowhere to turn. Or imagine that you have been sexually assaulted by an acquaintance – left feeling alone, confused and embarrassed. This is a common experience for many families in our community.  During 2008-2009, statistics show that 334 women, children and men found help through Family Crisis Services. In addition to experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault, ninety-two (92) of these clients experienced homelessness as well. Services provided include: 467 hotline calls, 646 units of crisis intervention, 2,866 miles of transportation, 524 units of advocacy, 691 units of supportive counseling, and 641 requests for information and referral.

The following services are available:

• Emergency Transportation
• Residential Shelter
• Crisis Intervention
• Safety Planning
• Court Advocacy
• Medical & Legal Advocacy
• Systems Advocacy
• Education & Community Outreach Program
• RAD and radKIDS Instruction
• Batterer Intervention Program
• Information & Referral
• Individual Counseling
• Support Groups
• Teen Services
• Children's Services     
• 24-hour Hotline (276-979-8959)

The Education and Community Outreach Program provides educational programming and technical assistance to the community.  Educational programs include the following:

• Safe Touch-Unsafe Touch for K-5.
• "These Hands Are Not for Hitting" for K-5.
• radKIDS classes for children ages 5-12.
• Sexual Harassment awareness and prevention for middle school and 9^th grade students
• Teen Dating Violence Prevention for 8^th and 10^th grade students.
• Rape Aggression Defense classes for women and girls, ages 13 and up.
• Overview of domestic violence and sexual assault laws for 12^th grade students.

Specialized presentations are also available.  These include: “Cut Out Domestic Violence” a statewide initiative that focuses on domestic violence education for salon professionals; “In Her Shoes” an educational simulation that walks participants through eight different experiences with violence, including the perspective of the abusive partner.  This simulation also focuses on domestic violence and economic justice; Clergy Training, a five hour course on domestic violence and sexual assault for clergy members and lay leaders to encourage a pastoral response to these issues; “It’s Your Business” a training for human resource professionals and employees to address domestic violence and sexual assault in the workplace; Domestic Violence 101/Sexual Assault 101, which focuses on the definition and dynamics of these issues, as well as ways for the community to become involved. 

Family Crisis Services also has four mobile displays that may be exhibited at local businesses, churches, and community organizations for public awareness.  These displays are: the “Clothesline Project,” “Silent Witness Initiative,” “An Empty Place at the Table,” and “Beating Hearts.”

The Volunteer Advocate Program trains individuals to work with FCS and our clients. Volunteers must complete 40 hours of training. Volunteer opportunities include: fundraising, shelter coverage, office support, emergency transportation, carrying the pager, educational programming, and serving on the advisory board to name a few of the many ways to help. 

The Batterer Intervention Program is a 22-week court ordered alternative to incarceration for domestic violence offenders.  Participants receive 44 hours of education regarding domestic violence and its effects on the family as well as other dynamics.  Fees are assessed for participants enrolled in the program to cover administrative costs and materials. 

CVCA provides a Shelter & Transitional Housing Program.  A residential shelter facility, known as Bridges: A Resource Center for Families, is available for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Individuals and families who seek this service typically are fleeing an abusive situation, and who do not have any other housing options. While receiving shelter services, individuals and families work on finding employment, accessing public benefits, obtaining housing, and dealing with legal issues.  Last year, thirty-four (34) families (41 individuals) received shelter services for a total of 885 nights.

Currently there are ten apartments for families who are homeless to help make a transition from crisis to stability and eventually self sufficiency.  Clients may stay in these apartments up to one year, but they must develop a plan that includes job goals, budgeting, and family development.  Last year, twenty-one (21) families (59 individuals) participated in the Transitional Housing Program for a total of 8,286 nights of housing.   

The Family Matters Program offers parenting classes and healthy relationship classes to the community.  Parenting classes are offered several times during the year, and there is a $25.00 fee to cover the cost of the materials and administrative costs.  The parenting classes use the Active Parenting Now in 3 curriculum. These classes are 9 hours and are usually conducted over a three week period.  The “Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes” classes are also offered several times during the year.  The fee for this class is $15.00 and covers the cost of materials and administrative costs.  This class is four hours and can be held in one day.  Healthy relationship classes are also available for the community.  These classes use the PREP “Within My Reach” curriculum, and they are designed for single individuals looking to improve their relationship skills   These classes are 12 hours and are usually conducted over a four week period. There is a fee of $25.00 to cover the cost of the materials and administrative costs.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Accreditation

Each year, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance conducts an Accreditation Process for all domestic violence and sexual assault program providers in Virginia.  Local programs are asked to submit applications that address the following areas: agency governance, agency administration, staff training, volunteer management, record keeping and confidentiality, hotline services, information and referral, emergency companionship, emergency transportation, legal advocacy, individual counseling, children’s services, support group, shelter services, systems advocacy and working with underserved populations.  These applications are reviewed by program peers and are designated status as fully accredited, provisionally accredited or accreditation denied. The Accreditation Process assures victims of domestic violence and sexual assault that they will receive comprehensive services at any accredited service provider in Virginia.  Family Crisis Services received full accreditation status for 2009. 

Virginia Attorney General’s Community Recognition Program

The Office of the Virginia Attorney General conducted a statewide search for Virginia localities to demonstrate promising practices in domestic violence in January 2009.  The Tazewell County Domestic Violence Task Force submitted an application and received notification in April 2009 that Tazewell County was selected as one of four communities in Virginia to receive this designation.

Localities submitted applications that focused on the following areas: community coordination; local government involvement; accredited domestic violence service provision; local law enforcement response, policies and procedures; allied professional response, policies and procedures including prosecution, magistrates, intake officers, judges, community corrections, and court clerks; certified batterer intervention services; educational programs for the community; TRIAD (a crime prevention program that focuses on seniors and law enforcement); healthcare response; and services to children who have experienced or who have been exposed to domestic violence. Tazewell County’s application was commended for its’ monthly Task Force meetings, the “Men of Promise” program conducted by Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc., and the educational programs offered to students in grades K-12 on domestic and intimate partner violence issues.

Representatives from the Tazewell County Domestic Violence Task Force and Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. attended the Attorney General’s press conference on April 28, 2009 to receive the recognition.  As the local domestic violence program, Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. also received a check from Verizon Wireless during the presentation.

For more information on any of these services, please contact Family Crisis Services

at 276-988-5583 or 276-979-8959 or click here.

Advocate.Educate.Eliminate.