Sacramento nonprofit receives grant to continue services for Deaf survivors of domestic violence

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Oct. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- Sacramento nonprofit receives grant to continue services for Deaf survivors of domestic violence.

October 6^th, 2014

Sacramento, CA – Congressmembers Doris Matsui and Ami Bera announced today that NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women to continue their domestic violence outreach and service program DeafSAFE. The grant of $450,000 will fund DeafSAFE until September 2017. The grant will allow them to serve Sacramento and surrounding counties.DeafHope which subcontracts out of NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing will also receive funding to serve those in the Bay Area.

“As we recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am thrilled that NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing has received critical federal funding to support their DeafSAFE program,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “We must ensure all victims of domestic violence get the services they need, and that is especially true for Deaf survivors of domestic violence who all too often do not have access to the information they need following an assault. This grant represents the federal government’s commitment to the DeafSAFE program and the important services it provides to survivors and their families in Northern California.”

"As a doctor, I know first-hand how incredibly important it is we continue to fund and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. I'm so glad that NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing was awarded this grant from the Department of Justice’s office on Violence Against Women. Their DeafSAFE program provides vital outreach and services to deaf victims of domestic violence and sexual assault," said Congressman Bera.

Service providers, medical, law enforcement, and legal services often do not accommodate the communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Most survivors grow frustrated at the lack of support and find themselves back with their abuser or not receiving services accessible to them. DeafSAFE, established in 2009, provides several services to survivors and their families: peer counseling, legal advocacy, court accompaniment, medical accompaniment, crisis intervention, financial counseling, document translation, and survivor advocacy.

“We are thrilled to have the support of our representatives from Congress recognizing the expertise and services from NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing,  and our partner, DeafHope", said Sheri Ann Farinha, CEO.  “This would not be possible without the support from the Office of Violence Against Women, a federally-funded program who has recognized the need for this underserved population, Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault who are Deaf.” DeafHope comments: “On the behalf of DeafHope Board of Directors, we are very excited to embark our third collaborative grant with NorCal Center to end domestic and sexual violence in our Deaf communities of the Bay Area and Northern California regions. This partnership to end violence against women is very unique because both organizations are “of, for and by" Deaf people", said Julie Rems-Smario, DeafHope Board Chair.

NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing has been providing services for the Deaf community for 37 years. Their mission is to empower, educate, and advocate for the Deaf and hard of hearing community through several programs.

DeafHope has been serving the deaf community in the Bay Area since 2003. They provide training, community awareness, advocacy, and empowerment of Deaf survivors.

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CONTACT

NorCal Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

http://www.norcalcenter.org/

Chelsea Rummler

Tel - (916) 349 -7500

crummler@norcalcenter.org

4708 Roseville Road, Suite 111

North Highlands, CA 95660