2021 COMBAT Mid-Year Funding: $69,851.00

In Hope House's Own Words

Hope House's new Co-Responding Advocacy Program will address an identified need and bridge the current gap in services that has been recognized by the Independence Police Department and Hope House.

Project staff will provide on-scene supportive services for residents of Independence who contact the police department as a result of experiencing domestic violence.

The program will provide crisis intervention and advocacy services at the time an incident occurs that meet the current needs of residents as it relates to domestic violence and the trauma they have experienced. Such services include:

• safety planning
• assistance with filing an Order of Protection
• lethality assessments
• assisting with accessing safe shelter
• resource referrals and linkage
• and follow up services as needed

Additionally, the Co-Responding Advocate and an off-duty Independence Police Officer will provide weekly follow-up revisits with victims at their homes and the off-duty officer will serve protection orders and outstanding warrants to domestic violence offenders as needed. As a result of accessing services, Hope House anticipates victims will have the resources and support needed to keep themselves and their families safe—and that offenders will be held accountable for their crimes.