Strengthening Families

Strengthening Families

FAMILIES  The Issues:

 

All families, regardless of income, can be victims of natural and man-made disasters which occur without warning and leave them without a home, clothing, and food and with a feeling of hopelessness.  At the same time, needs arise related to financial crises resulting from loss of employment, medical emergencies, and other unanticipated situations. If unresolved, these issues can lead to larger problems like homelessness and poverty.  UW-funded programs seek not only to guide families as they rebuild their lives, but also restore each family’s self-sufficiency and bring closure to their crisis.

 

The fundamental need for food is growing in the Valley. Over half of the region’s pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters reported increases since 1998 in the number of clients who come to their emergency food program sites. The lack of sufficient supply of healthy, nutritious food increases vulnerability to disease and contributes to other health concerns.

 

Equal access to justice is another basic and compelling need of the disadvantaged. Often they are uneducated, disabled, frail, or vulnerable and are preyed upon by unscrupulous businesses or individuals who take advantage of their circumstances. While the state guarantees legal counsel to the poor when accused of criminal wrongdoing, it does not extend assistance to the larger number of poor who face serious legal crises that do not involve criminal wrongdoing. In 2004 alone, there were 2,050 requests for civil legal assistance and over 170 requests involving healthcare, public benefit, wills, and estates from low-income residents in the UW service area.  Many more were turned away due to income levels -- even though they were not always able to afford private attorney services.

 

Families sometimes exist in homes ravaged by turmoil and violence. Domestic violence, too often hidden from view, is not confined to any one socio-economic, ethnic, religious, racial, or age group.  Women and children fleeing these situations need a safe place free from abuse and suffering; and abusers or those who show signs of dangerous behaviors also need help in order to change and prevent further acts of violence. 

 

Substance abuse can also have damaging effects on a family. In 2003, more than 19 million Americans – 8.2 % of the population aged 12 and older  -- were abusing illegal drugs each month.  It not only affects abusers and their families; communities experience crime, unemployment, unsafe streets, and lost neighborhoods.  For women, childhood sexual abuse often plays a role in later addiction. About 70% of drug-using women report having been sexually abused before age 16, while 50-70% of female alcoholics were sexually abused as children.  Treatment programs that offer counseling, childcare, job training, and access to support groups are most effective in addressing the problem holistically.  

 

The Roanoke Valley, although having no active duty military base or station, has many local residents with immediate and extended family members serving in the armed forces.  UWRV provides financial support to a communication network that relays messages regarding urgent family situations, and if a trip home is authorized, helps facilitate the departure to reunite families.

 

UWRV’s Response:

We believe that individuals and families should have access to emergency shelter, adequate food, financial assistance, and crisis counseling. We are committed to working with individuals and families in crisis to meet their physical and mental safety and basic care needs. Likewise, we believe in enhancing family effectiveness by supporting families in the role that they desire to achieve as nurturers, caretakers and instructors of their family members, children and adults alike. 

Meeting Basic Needs in Times of Crisis

  • Enhance access to community services for individuals and families in acute crises
  • Increase self-sufficiency for individuals and families who experience repeated crises by enhancing coordination, bridging of services and case management.
  • Stabilize the physical and mental safety and basic care needs of individuals and families in crises.

Parent and Family Support

  • Ensure that safe and caring homes exist for all children
  • Increase families’ ability to develop family life skills
  • Support the development of partnerships between agencies and colleges to provide affordable counseling services.

Total UW Investment:    $797,599

Outcomes:

  • Over 24,000 individuals benefited from 26 different programs that keep the family structure strong by addressing domestic violence, child abuse, and homelessness, and providing support during disasters and emergency situations.
  • An information and referral system funded in part with UW dollars was able to successfully link families and individuals with the appropriate programs providing assistance they need. In 2005, I&R took 6,377 calls from residents of Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, and Craig and Botetourt counties. By the end of the call, 82% had learned where to go and what to do to get help for their particular situation.
  • In February 2006, the 2-1-1 Virginia was launched. This is an easy to remember number that Southwest Virginia residents can call for health and human service information and is available from 8:30am to midnight, seven days a week.
  • Over 3,800 parents availed of classes, counseling and other support services that better equipped them for their challenging job of raising children. 93% gained knowledge about ways to deal with their kids better and teach discipline through appropriate forms of punishment.  93% became more aware of the stages in their child’s development and improved their ability to take care of their kids as a result.  70% of parents who attended stress management seminars gained better coping skills which improved their attitudes and behaviors during difficult situations, helping them to become better parents.
  • Over 95 kids who were caught in the middle of family crises were either provided a safe place to stay as a result of the intervention or were able to remain in their home once the situation stabilized. 
  • 260 individuals, including 133 children, fleeing domestic violence situations were provided a safe place to stay. Over 80% were known to have pursued legal proceedings to end the cycle of abuse and were later known to have separated from their abuser. 
  • 594 individuals who were physically abusive in their relationships were able to receive counseling at sliding fees made possible through UW funds.  During these sessions, abusers were able to learn healthier options in dealing with relationship issues. 92% reported that these therapy sessions have helped them become more aware and deal with situations better. 94.5% of the participants had reduced incidences of domestic abuse up to 3 years after leaving the program.
  • 52 women with substance addictions were admitted to a residential treatment program. During their stay, clients demonstrated improved parenting skills and developed a career/education development plan and a sustainable housing plan. At program completion, 100% were in remission from active drug-abuse and developed the skills necessary to remain drug-free. 80% who were discharged remained drug-free for up to a year.
  • Over 2,400 adults and children were able to continue living in their homes because of assistance with rent and utility payments, and critical home repairs that compromised the safety and well being of its residents.
  • More than 2,500 individuals directly received food assistance for their families. In addition, 131 churches, agencies, and other organizations operating kids cafes, pantries, soup kitchens, and feeding programs were able to access 2 million pounds of food.
  • 19 stranded travelers were provided with basic needs and were able to reach their destination within 72 hours of initial contact. This number includes women fleeing domestic violence situations who needed to relocate outside the Roanoke Valley.
  • 84 families who were victims of natural and man-made disasters received food/groceries, clothing, and temporary lodging. 70% of these families were helped within 2 hours of the disaster. As a result, they were able to resume their normal lives 2 weeks after the crisis.
  • 192 military families were helped to contact their loved ones deployed overseas during emergency situations. 93% said that the service reduced the stress surrounding those crisis situations; and 84% of clients claimed that this helped them successfully reunite with their loved ones as a result.
  • 1,577 homeless individuals were provided emergency shelter and transitional housing for a total of almost 48,000 nights of shelter during 2005.  For those in the transitional program, 86% gained critical life skills necessary to successfully transition into permanent housing. 40% were able to move into permanent housing after two years.
  • UW investments enabled over 1,700 individuals living in poverty to obtain legal advice regarding issues ranging from debt and bankruptcy to domestic violence, eviction, child custody, Medicaid coverage, and other issues. Among the successes: four clients who were victims of domestic violence obtaining protective orders against their abusers; 10 individuals who were facing evictions by their landlords had their cases dismissed; 18 clients in child custody disputes were able to gain custody of their kids; and 29 elderly clients and their families obtained wills, powers of attorney, Medicaid coverage, and related support. Overall, 94% of those who accessed legal services made possible by UW funding were able to achieve their goals and resolve their issues.