FEBRUARY 2022
NEWS & UPDATES
Volume 20 | Issue 2
TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS & PREVENTION MONTH
Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, a month dedicated to bringing attention to an issue that effects 1 in 3 teens in the United States. Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month is a national effort focused on advocacy and education to stop dating violence before it starts.
 
NYSCADV's theme for engaging youth in conversations about healthy relationship behaviors in 2022 is "Know Your Worth." 

Visit our website for more information about the campaign, including tools and resources.
Know Your Worth Art Contest

Our Annual Art Contest will also take place this February. If you work with young people in middle school, high school or college please encourage them to participate in the contest!

Entries depicting the topic "Know Your Worth" can be submitted in several mediums. Artwork, photos, quotes, memes, poetry, essays and short videos of performances in dance, theater and spoken word are all welcome.

There is no cost to register, and registration is open to students ages 12+ in New York State. Prizes will be awarded to top entries, including a grand prize of a $100 gift card to the student and $100 to their project mentor. Submissions are accepted through 9pm on February 28.

Contest details and registration information can be found here.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black history month is an annual event recognizing the pivotal role in U.S. history and the achievement of African Americans. NYSCADV would like to acknowledge and honor the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders, advocates, and organizations working to end systemic oppression and discrimination and ensure racial justice principles inform our work. 
 
This year's theme for Black History Month is Black Health and Wellness. Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence is the # 1 health issue among black women today. Black survivors of domestic violence experience some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence. According to the 2010-2012 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 45% of Black women experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. The same survey found that 40% of Black men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/ or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Click here to learn more.
POLICY CORNER
NYSCADV Virtual Budget Advocacy Day: February 15th
All are Welcome to Participate
 
NYSCADV is inviting everyone interested to participate at its annual Budget Advocacy Day on Tuesday, February 15th. This year’s virtual event presents the perfect opportunity to meet virtually with legislators to communicate the needs of domestic violence survivors and their families and discuss our priorities for the 2022-2023 state budget.
 
At the top of the list, NYSCADV is urging the Legislature to earmark $140 million in this year’s budget, as well as next year’s, to off-set significant funding cuts to victim service providers across the state – providers that provide essential services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and other serious crimes. The cuts are a result of decreasing federal dollars coming into the state. Governor Hochul’s executive budget does not address the funding cuts, so New York’s victim assistance providers will face significant cuts in the next round of awards issued by the NYS Office of Victim Services later this year.
 
The announcement of impending cuts, as well as the cancellation of existing OVS contracts with legal services providers, has already impacted the provision of support services for victims. Legal service providers have stopped taking on new clients and victim assistance providers have stopped hiring for open positions. All providers have begun assessing whether lay-offs of existing staff may be needed.
 
Cutting funding for domestic violence service providers never makes sense. But it is particularly unusual now, as the demand for domestic violence services is higher than it’s ever been. For example, on just one day in September 2020, more than 8,300 domestic violence survivors got help – a 43% increase from the year before. More troubling, on that same day, nearly 2,000 requests for services could not be fulfilled due to stagnant funding, decreased resources or staffing challenges.
 
It is critical for New York to make a meaningful investment in domestic violence services in our state. NYSCADV is urging New York State to use state surplus dollars, or pandemic relief aid, to ensure the continuity of services for New York’s victims.
 
Additional FY’22-‘23 budget priorities include:
1.   Increasing the TANF funding set aside for non-residential domestic violence services to $6 million.
2.   Maintaining $5 million to implement a flexible funding model pilot project.
3.  Eliminating the Governor’s proposal which would expand training mandates for domestic violence advocates, and broaden government oversight and regulation of domestic violence programs.
 
NYSCADV is sponsoring a webinar for state legislators and their staff to review its 2022-2023 budget priorities and other issues impacting New Yorkers experiencing domestic violence. DV advocates and other partners are invited to attend. Click here to register.
 
No registration is required to participate in NYSCADV’s Budget Advocacy Day. If you would like to receive the event toolkit and other materials, please email NYSCADV’s policy team at policy@nyscadv.org. Additional information can be found on the NYSCADV website.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Enough Is Enough Training and TA Center
OPDV has released a Request for Proposals to maintain the Enough Is Enough Training and Technical Assistance Center, including maintenance of the website and provision of ongoing training and technical assistance to EiE grantees. Those eligible to apply include, among others, NYSCADV and NYSCASA member programs, NYS approved rape crisis programs, and OVS-funded victim assistance programs. OPDV will fund one grant totaling up to $750,000 for the contract period May 1, 2022-April 30, 2025.
Closing date for applications: February 4, 2022 by 4:00 PM
For more information, click here.

Harm Reduction Grant Program (SP-22-001)
The purpose of the program is to support community-based overdose prevention programs, syringe services programs, and other harm reduction services. Funding will be used to enhance prevention activities to help control the spread of infectious diseases and the consequences of such diseases.
Closing date for applications: February 7, 2022
For more information, click here.

OVW Fiscal Year 2022 Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program Solicitation (O-OVW-2022-171026)
The LAV grant program is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth (11 and older) victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters.
Closing date for applications: March 10, 2022
For more information, click here. 

OVW Fiscal Year 2022 Justice for Families Program Solicitation (O-OVW-2022-171024)
The grants to support families in the justice system program was authorized in the VAWA 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 activities for improving the capacity of courts and communities to respond to families affected by the targeted crimes.
Closing date for applications: March 7, 2022
For more information, click here.  

The CDC National Centers on Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention (YVPCs): Rigorous Evaluation of Prevention Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Community Rates of Youth Violence (RFA-CD-22-012)
The CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control is soliciting research proposals to expand the evidence base for the prevention of community violence involving youth ages 10-34 years. The funding is focused on violence prevention strategies and approaches that reduce community rates of violence within one or more geographically defined communities with rates of community violence that are higher than the national rate.
Closing date for applications: April 18, 2022
For more information, click here.  
SUPPORT NYSCADV!
Host a Fundraiser for NYSCADV!
Are you interested in hosting a fundraiser to support NYSCADV's work to end and prevent domestic violence?

Reach out to NYSCADV's Deputy Director, Gina Peattie for more information.

GJ Attitude is a clothing company focused on projecting courage, confidence and power to women. The company is generously donating 5% of all sales to NYSCADV. Visit the GJ Attitude website by clicking here to view t-shirt collections and place an order. Thank you, GJ Attitude, for supporting NYSCADV's work!
 
Shop on Amazon Smile by following the link to Amazon Smile, login to your Amazon account, and select New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence as your charity of choice. Amazon gives to NYSCADV every time you shop!

Make a Recurring Donation
Looking for an easy way to support NYSCADV? Sign up to give a monthly donation! It only takes a moment to set up and any amount is appreciated. Click here to schedule your monthly support of our work! Thank you!
NYSCADV | www.nyscadv.org