The grants to enhance culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20124

Through the Culturally and Linguistically Specific Services Program (CFDA 16.016) administered by the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, Ser Familia, Inc. received a $400,000 project grant award on October 1, 2023. The funding will enable Ser Familia, a non-profit serving the Latino community in the Metro-Atlanta area, to provide comprehensive wrap-around services to Latino victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including case management, crisis assistance, counseling, legal aid, and prevention education. The program aims to enhance access to culturally and linguistically specific resources and support for this underserved population. As part of the award, Ser Familia will also work with state and local partners to develop effective strategies for delivering culturally proficient victim services.

This program supports the maintenance and replication of existing successful community-based programs providing culturally specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as the development of innovative culturally specific strategies to enhance access to services and resources for victims who face obstacles to using more traditional programs. Culturally specific services means community-based services that include culturally relevant and linguistically specific services and resources to culturally specific communities which are statutorily defined as american indians (including alaska natives, eskimos, and aleuts); asian americans; native hawaiians and other pacific islanders; blacks; and hispanics. Projects must address at least one of the programs statutory purpose areas. Through this continuation culturally specific services program project, SER familia will implement a project addressing the following purpose areas: increase communities capacity to provide culturally specific resources and support for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking crimes and their families; work with state and local governments and social service agencies to develop and enhance effective strategies to provide culturally specific services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; enhance traditional services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; and work in cooperation with the community to develop education and prevention strategies highlighting culturally specific issues and resources. SER familia will provide comprehensive wrap-around services to latino victims of crime and their children in the metro-atlanta area. Specific activities will include: case management, crisis assistance, couples and parenting programs, youth development, support groups, mental health counseling, legal services, and assistance to other agencies across the state on culturally and linguistically proficient services.