THE NYSCADV TEAM WISHES YOU A HAPPY 2021!

Looking for ways to support NYSCADV this year? The start of the new year is the perfect time to join us in the NYSCADV Coffee Challenge! Choose to give up buying one coffee, tea, smoothie, or your favorite drink per month. Take that money ($5-7, or more if you wish) and set up a recurring monthly donation to support NYSCADV’s work to end and prevent domestic violence throughout New York State. It’s a fun and easy way to support our work and make a positive impact. To make your monthly recurring donation, click here: https://www.nyscadv.org/how-to-help/

Share your support on social media and encourage your network to join you in the challenge! Here are next steps:
  1. Share your favorite coffee, tea, smoothie, or other favorite drink (and a photo if you'd like).
  2. Share that you are giving up one coffee/other drink per month and donating the savings to NYSCADV.
  3. Invite your friends to follow the link to join you, and invite them to post their participation, too! https://www.nyscadv.org/how-to-help/
  4. Use the hashtag #NYSCADVCoffeeChallenge

Thank you for your ongoing support!
POLICY CORNER
New York State 2021 Legislative Session
 
It’s that time of year again, when the NYSCADV policy team and NYSCADV Legislative Committee identify priorities for the 2021 legislative session. This year’s legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 6th and continue through June 10th.
 
We expect to continue our advocacy to modernize New York’s system of funding and oversight of primary purpose domestic violence programs. Although the Legislature approved a $5 million pilot project to assess a new flexible funding model, it was not implemented due to the fiscal uncertainty presented by the Pandemic. NYSCADV will continue to advocate for the implementation of this pilot project in 2021.
 
Other priorities we have identified revolve around: expanding housing options for DV survivors; transforming New York’s Family Court to result in better outcomes for DV survivors and their children; and ensuring the accessibility of DV services for all who need them. Click here to read more about our 2021 legislative platform, or click here for a list of bills we are prioritizing in 2021. We’ve also finalized our annual review of the 2020 Legislative Session, which can be viewed by clicking here.
 
Finally, please remember to mark your calendar for our Virtual Budget Advocacy Day, which is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23. We will be circulating registration information soon!
VAWA, VOCA, FVPSA Appropriations in 2021
 
As has been widely reported, the COVID-19 Pandemic presented a slew of fiscal challenges for the federal government, which struggled throughout most of December to resolve the federal budget. Due to the advocacy of domestic violence (DV) advocates and statewide coalitions across the country, catastrophic cuts to programs supporting DV survivors and support services were avoided. Click here to read more.
JANUARY IS STALKING AWARENESS MONTH
National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), which occurs each January, is an annual call to action to recognize and respond to this serious crime.

Stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear and involves repeated visual or physical proximity, non-consensual communication, verbal, written or implied threats, or a combination of these acts. Like domestic violence, stalking is a crime of power and control. In fact, many abusers stalk their partners both during and after the relationship has ended. Intimate partner stalkers are the most dangerous stalkers as they are more likely to approach victims and escalate behaviors. Click here to read more.
JANUARY IS NATIONAL SLAVERY & HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH
During January - National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we encourage you to learn more about this serious crime that leads to grave violations of human rights.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Moreover, human trafficking often intersects with domestic violence. Click here to read more.

You can wear blue on January 11th in solidarity to help raise awareness!
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS
  • End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) - EVAWI webinar archive contains past webinar recordings on domestic violence and sexual assault, and other related topics. Click here to access EVAWI's webinar archive.
  • Post-Conviction Survivor Resources - Contains Information and tools to improve post-conviction services and support for crime victims and survivors. Learn more here.
  • WomensLaw.org - WomensLaw.org provides state-specific legal information and resources for survivors of domestic violence. WomenLaw.org also has a confidential Email Hotline to offer direct support to survivors, their advocates, friends and family members. And now, WomensLaw.org has been translated into Spanish. Click here to access WomensLaw.org in Spanish.
  • Youth.gov - Youth.gov is an U.S. government website containing resources that help to create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. As a result of the impacts of COVID-19 on education, Youth.gov has created a page dedicated to broadband access resources. This page has information about available streams of funding for human services providers, educational institutions, and individuals and families to access broadband and devices. Click here to visit.