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 Shelter For Help In Emergency (SHE) received a $607,500 Cooperative Agreement grant under the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women's "Education, Training, and Enhanced Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women with Disabilities" program (CFDA 16.529). The grant aims to strengthen partnerships, increase organizational capacity, conduct outreach, provide training, ensure accessible services, and develop informational materials for deaf and hard-of-hearing survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. SHE is collaborating with the Virginia Association of the Deaf, Inc., the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA), and other partners to build a multidisciplinary team, identify service gaps, and develop a plan to enhance support for individuals with disabilities and deaf individuals who experience violence and abuse. The three-year project period runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

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. Shelter for help in emergency (she) will collaborate with the virginia association of the deaf, INC., the sexual assault resource agency (sara), and suzanne wilbur to strengthen partnerships and maintain or enhance 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 purpose of this project is to plan, develop and, ultimately, implement a coordinated community response that improves services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault who are deaf or hard of hearing. During this project period, the team will: continue the collaboration and relationship building with community organizations to further strengthen the collaborative support and development of relevant, safe, and accessible services at she and sara. Develop community outreach opportunities within the deaf and hard of hearing communities. Provide cultural competency to staff and volunteers at she and sara. Provide cross-training to allied professionals and community organizations. Conduct service access reviews at both she and sara to ensure accessible and relevant services at both organizations. Develop informational materials for deaf and hard of hearing survivors of domestic and sexual violence in printed or video format.