Proposed project/purpose safe futures, INC., recognized nationally as being the first domestic violence service provider in connecticut to accept domestic violence victims with pets in their emergency…

Safe Futures, Inc. was awarded a $100,000 Project Grant from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Victims of Crime under the Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants program (CFDA 16.582) to support its Protect Our Pets initiative. The initiative aims to better serve victims of domestic violence with pets in southeastern Connecticut through housing assistance, support services, and training of staff and stakeholders on the needs of victims with pets. Key deliverables include providing emergency, transitional and pet-friendly housing options; veterinary services; individualized pet support; and training domestic violence service providers and partners on the link between domestic violence and pet abuse and on best practices for accommodating victims with pets. The funding will support a pet advocate and pet advocacy educator positions to directly assist victims with pets and develop pet policy/training. All services will be free of charge and delivered to beneficiaries in New London County, Connecticut from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2025.

Proposed project/purpose safe futures, INC., recognized nationally as being the first domestic violence service provider in connecticut to accept domestic violence victims with pets in their emergency domestic violence shelter, and now in all of their seven housing program, is requesting a mini award of $100,000 to support protect our pets (POP), with a focus on priority area a, to better serve victims with pets in southeastern connecticut with housing assistance and other support and services and with training of staff and stakeholders safe futures collaborates and partners with in delivering services to victims. All services will be free and confidential; trauma-informed; provided with equality, equity, liberation, and inclusion; survivor-centered, and delivered by certified domestic violence counselors. Goals barriers for victims of domestic violence with pets in leaving a domestic violence situation are removed. Providers are better informed on the needs of domestic violence victims with pets. Objectives victims with pets have options for emergency, transitional, and housing assistance. Victims with pets have options of staying in an emergency or transitional shelter; a pet-friendly hotel; or temporary housing their pet in the community through boarding or fostering. Victims with pets are supported in finding pet-friendly housing. Victims with pets have an increase of services available related to their pets all pets residing in safe futures housing programs receive a VET check visit upon entry. Victims with pets are provided with individualized support services for their pet. Increase training of domestic violence service provider staff and relevant partners on the needs of victims with pets. Safe futures staff are provided with training on the importance of and best practices of having sheltering and housing options and other support services for victims with pets. Relevant partners are provided with training on the link between domestic violence and the abuse and neglect of victim's pets. The above will be achieved with a designated pet advocate (5 HRS./week) to work directly with victims with pets and a designated pet advocacy educator (5 HRS./week) to develop and implement safe futures pet policy manual, to include a pet intake form and victim's with pet's responsibilities, and training of staff and relevant stakeholders, such as law enforcement, coordinated access network and area homeless providers. Service area southeastern connecticut, specifically all 21 towns of new london county. Beneficiaries there are three beneficiaries of POP- 1) victims, and their families; 2) their pets; and 3) relevant stakeholders.