The grants to support families in the justice system program (referred to as the justice for families program) was authorized in the violence against women reauthorization act of 2013 to improve the…

This $600,000 federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women, under the Justice Systems Response to Families Program (CFDA 16.021), will enable LACBA Counsel for Justice and its partners, the Superior Court of California - County of Los Angeles and Peace Over Violence, to implement a comprehensive initiative in Los Angeles County. The key products and services to be delivered include:

1. Providing civil legal services and referrals for victims of domestic violence, supported by a 0.3 FTE bilingual staff attorney and 0.25 FTE paralegal.
2. Offering victim advocacy and safety planning services through a 0.75 FTE case manager and 0.15 FTE hotline advocate with Peace Over Violence.
3. Conducting education and outreach to improve community access to the court system for traditionally underserved populations.

This 3-year project, with an award date of October 1, 2024 and an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2027, aims to enhance the civil and criminal justice system's response to families affected by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Los Angeles County.

The grants to support families in the justice system program (referred to as the justice for families program) was authorized in the violence against women reauthorization act of 2013 to improve the response of the civil and criminal justice system to families with a history of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse. The program supports the following activities for improving the capacity of courts and communities to respond to families affected by the targeted crimes: court-based and court-related programs; supervised visitation and safe exchange by and between parents; training for people who work with families in the court system; civil legal services; and the provision of resources in juvenile court matters. Projects supported by the justice for families program are those that focus on keeping victims and their children safe from further abuse and holding offenders accountable. Through this new justice for families project, lacba counsel for justice and its partners, the superior court of california- county of LOS angeles and peace over violence, will implement a standard project addressing the following purpose areas: 5) court and court-based programs and services; and 6) civil legal assistance, in the county of LOS angeles. Specific activities will include: 1) supporting a 0.3 FTE bilingual staff attorney and 0.25 FTE paralegal to provide legal services and referrals for victims of domestic violence; 2) supporting 0.75 FTE case manager and 0.15 FTE hotline advocate with peace over violence to provide victim advocacy and safety planning; and 3) providing education and outreach to improve community access to the court for traditionally underserved populations and communities.