The training and services to end violence and abuse against women with disabilities and deaf people grant program (disability program) is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20122

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $505,000 Cooperative Agreement under the "Education, Training, and Enhanced Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women with Disabilities" grant program (CFDA 16.529) to YWCA Northern New Jersey, Inc. (doing business as YWCA of Bergen County). The goal of this 3-year project is to create sustainable change in improving the response to individuals with disabilities and deaf individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and to hold perpetrators accountable. The project involves YWCA Northern New Jersey collaborating with several partners to strengthen partnerships, increase organizational capacity, identify service area needs, and implement initiatives to address those needs. Key activities will include establishing a multidisciplinary collaborative team, developing a strategic plan, and implementing efforts to enhance accessibility and safety within the organizations' service and employment practices.

The goal of the disability grant program is to create sustainable change within and between organizations that improves the response to individuals with disabilities and deaf individuals who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and to hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable. Bergen county, ywca healingspace will collaborate with the center for hope and safety, north jersey friendship house and the ARC of bergen and passaic counties, and the bergen county division on disability services to strength partnerships and establish a multidisciplinary collaborative team (team); increase organizational capacity to provide accessible, safe, and effective services to individuals with disabilities and deaf individuals who are victims of violence and abuse; identify needs within the grantees organization and/or service area; and develop a plan that addresses those identified needs and builds a strong foundation for future work. The period of performance is separated into two phases: 1) the planning and development phase and 2) the implementation phase. During the planning and development phase, each team will enter into a collaborative relationship, engage in capacity building activities, develop a collaboration charter, conduct a needs assessment, and develop a strategic plan and project focus memo. The implementation phase will commence after completion of the planning and development phase and OVW approval of the strategic plan. During the implementation phase, each team will implement initiatives to address the needs identified during the planning and development period. Throughout the project, each team will receive intensive technical assistance and support through a combination of meetings, on-site consultations, web resources, and tele/video conference calls. Each member of the team will be expected to address issues of accessibility and safety within their own organizational service and employment practices. Each organization is expected to develop and implement policies that address access and safety and a realistic plan to sustain project activities.