Increasing Access to Orders for Protection at the Domestic Abuse Service Center

Description

The Fourth Judicial District Court and Hennepin County Attorney's Office received funding to facilitate access to court and prompt attainment of Orders for Protection for victims of domestic violence. Additional partners in this Recovery Act grant program include the Minneapolis Police Department and City Attorney's Office, the Hennepin County Sheriff, and the Human Services and Public Health Department's Child Protection and Economic Assistance service areas, in collaboration with many non profit domestic violence programs including:


• The Division of Indian Works,
  
• African Immigrant Service,
  
• Casa de Esperanza,
  
• Asian Women United,
  
• Outfront, and
  
• Phyllis Wheatley.

The grant will allow the court to strengthen direct services to victims at the courthouse, and to develop and support improved delivery of services to victims at community locations by developing new resources and enhancing partnerships.

In 2008, court staff at the Domestic Abuse Service Center assisted more than 8,000 customers with domestic violence and harassment issues, and triaged over 20,000 phone calls. Budget cuts in 2008 left positions at the Service Center unfilled and customers no longer received same day service. In 2009, filings for Orders for Protection are up 20 percent. This funding will allow the court to partially restore staffing levels to assist walk in customers at the Domestic Abuse Service Center and allow the court to develop a plan for sustaining service levels in the future.

Funding

$26,000