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Tag: trauma informed

Training: Trauma-Informed Responses for Advocates Working with Children & Youth

March 26 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm CDT

This interactive session, “What’s Wrong With Those Kids?”, reframes challenging youth behavior through a trauma-informed lens. Designed for advocates, church leaders, and crisis center staff, this 90-minute toolkit equips participants to recognize the impact of witnessing intimate partner violence, respond without re-traumatizing, and implement practical documentation and referral strategies. Participants will leave with concrete job aids, language scripts, and confidence to support children and youth affected by domestic violence while strengthening their organization’s trauma-informed practices.

This is a virtual training on Zoom.

Free
Register

Enhanced Safety Planning For Survivors of Domestic Violence

January 30 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm CST


FULL-THIS TRAINING HAS REACHED CAPACITY

This training will explore how advocates and organizations can develop responsive, trauma-informed safety strategies and strengthen organizational preparedness.

Topics will include key recent policy and protocol changes impacting immigrant survivors, tools for enhanced safety planning within the law and considerations for organizations. 

Registrations must be completed using your agency email address.
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email within two business days with more details.
Free

When you register, you’ll be added to our newsletter so you can stay connected and hear about upcoming events and updates.

Thecia Jenkins

Enhanced Safety Planning For Survivors of Domestic Violence

January 29 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm CST


This training will explore how advocates and organizations can develop responsive, trauma-informed safety strategies and strengthen organizational preparedness.

Topics will include key recent policy and protocol changes impacting immigrant survivors, tools for enhanced safety planning within the law and considerations for organizations. 

BOTH OF THESE TRAININGS ARE AT CAPACITY
Free

When you register, you’ll be added to our newsletter so you can stay connected and hear about upcoming events and updates.

Thecia Jenkins

REGISTER FOR FRIDAY'S SESSION HERE

Investing Early: Community Partner Meeting

April 9 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm CDT

Early Childhood Resiliency Fund: Community Update & Panel

Join HCDVCC for a community conversation on strengthening early childhood resilience for children exposed to domestic violence.

This session will provide an update on the Early Childhood Resiliency Fund—an investment in local organizations advancing innovative, developmentally responsive support for young children and their families. We’ll hear directly from practitioners about what’s working, where gaps remain, and how early intervention can shift long-term outcomes.

This conversation is designed for professionals across sectors working with children, families, and survivors, as well as those interested in prevention, systems coordination, and community-based solutions.

We’re joined by leaders and practitioners advancing this work across Harris County:

Robin Gandara, LPC
Director of Client Services, FamilyTime Crisis & Counseling Center

Robin Gandara is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Director of Client Services at FamilyTime, where she oversees counseling, shelter operations, case management, outreach, and the 24-hour crisis hotline. Over eight years, she has advanced from counselor to senior leadership, helping shape the organization’s direct service approach.

She led the transformation of FamilyTime’s emergency shelter into a trauma-informed, healing-centered space—redesigning the environment, updating policies to center survivor voices, and expanding programming to better support survivors and their children.

Robin is deeply committed to providing culturally responsive, compassionate care and expanding access to mental health services. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling from Sam Houston State University and is an active member of ACA, TCA, and Harris County SART.

Charity Eames, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Counseling and Family Services, DePelchin Children’s Center

Charity Eames is the Senior Director of Counseling and Family Services at DePelchin Children’s Center, where she oversees counseling, mental health, case management, and parenting support programs. With over 22 years of experience in child abuse prevention, she has worked as a home- and school-based counselor and family therapist supporting children and families.

She provides clinical supervision to staff and leads a range of state and federal grant-funded programs, including initiatives where DePelchin serves as both lead agency and service provider. Charity is trained in nine levels of the Triple P parenting model and brings deep expertise in family-centered, evidence-based care.

Charity holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a licensed counselor and family therapist. Her work is grounded in strengthening families and expanding access to high-quality mental health support for children and caregivers.

Pastor Raymond Steward II
CEO & Founder, Hope Active

Raymond Steward II is the CEO and Founder of Hope Active, a Houston-based organization supporting families and at-risk youth. With over 20 years of experience in community service, leadership, and team building, he launched Hope Active in 2017—following Hurricane Harvey—to create consistent, community-driven support for underserved populations.

He leads initiatives that partner with local schools and juvenile justice programs to connect youth and families with resources, guidance, and opportunities. His work is rooted in the belief that support should be ongoing—not only in moments of crisis—and focused on creating pathways forward.

Raymond’s approach centers on connection, accountability, and community care—offering a hand up, not a handout. His vision for Hope Active is to serve as a bridge between people and possibility, strengthening communities through sustained support.

Free

Thecia Jenkins

United Way of Greater Houston

50 Waugh Street
Houston, TX United States + Google Map

March Community Partner Meeting

March 12 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm CDT

You’re invited to our Monthly Community Partner Meeting, where community voices come together to shape our shared future.

Topic: The Lived Experience of Women with Initmate partner Violence Accompanied by Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Intimate partner violence affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime worldwide. The head and face are the most common targets during intimate partner violences episodes, occurring almost 90% of the time. Of these, approximately half will have symptoms consistent with mild traumatic brain injury, yet only a third of them will seek healthcare services. Even when they do seek services, many mild traumatic brain injuries go unrecognized by clinicians. This leaves this population at risk for experiencing chronic symptoms such as, poor health, back pain, headaches, depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, poor concentration, and emotional dysregulation. While plenty of surveys and screening tools have provided researchers with quantitative data in recent years, no one has asked these women how the mild traumatic brain injury from intimate partner violence has impacted their daily functioning. This presentation will share narratives from the women themselves along with the overall interpretation of the data so that we may be able to better understand their challenges in the aftermath of intimate partner violence.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:

Sandra Sanchez, PhD, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, AFN-C has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. As the current nursing program director for the Forensic Nursing Program at Harris Health, Sandra leads a team of nurses that care for sexual assault, intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. Her practice as a forensic nurse since 2003 has allowed her to care for more than 2,400 victims of violence. She has also testified in court on numerous occasions as an expert in sexual assault and intimate partner violence cases. She received her PhD in Nursing Science in 2025. Her research focuses on the lived experience of women with traumatic brain injury from intimate partner violence patient. Her goal is to improve the overall quality of care to victims and minimize the physical and psychological impact of interpersonal violence by promoting hope, resilience, and restoration of the lives of those afflicted by interpersonal violence.

Free

Thecia Jenkins

United Way of Greater Houston

50 Waugh Street
Houston, TX United States + Google Map

February Community Partner Meeting

Flyer for Monthly Community Meeting on Immigration & Legal Updates, Feb 12, 2026, 2:30–4:00 pm at United Way of Greater Houston, featuring speaker Katharina Dechert of Tahirih Justice Center.

February 12 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm CST

You’re invited to our Monthly Community Partner Meeting, where community voices come together to shape our shared future.

Topic: Immigration & Legal Updates

This presentation will cover an update on law and policy changes impacting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other forms of violence over the last year. The training will also briefly include important tools for advocates serving survivors and tips for enhanced safety planning.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Katharina Dechert is the Houston Policy & Advocacy Manager at the Tahirih Justice Center. Katharina leads the advancement of Tahirih’s Houston and Texas advocacy campaigns to change the laws and policies that prevent immigrant survivors from accessing safety and justice. Before stepping into this role, she worked on Tahirih’s legal team for 6 years as a legal advocate, working with immigrant survivors as they navigate various legal systems in their journeys to safety and justice, and representing survivors before USCIS as a DOJ Accredited Representative.

Free

When you register, you’ll be added to our newsletter so you can stay connected and hear about upcoming events and updates.

United Way of Greater Houston

50 Waugh Street
Houston, TX United States + Google Map

If you have questions, please contact:

Thecia Jenkins

Categories
Holidays

When the Holidays Bring Harm: Understanding Domestic Violence During December

woman in a santa hat withchristmas trees in the background looking stressed with text "When the Holidays Bring Harm: Understanding Domestic Violence During December"
woman in a santa hat withchristmas trees in the background looking stressed with text "When the Holidays Bring Harm: Understanding Domestic Violence During December"

The December holidays are often portrayed as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. But for many people living with domestic violence, this season brings heightened danger rather than comfort. Research consistently shows that domestic violence incidents increase during the holidays, creating urgent safety concerns for survivors and their families.

Why Violence Escalates During the Holidays

Several factors contribute to the rise in domestic violence during December. Financial stress intensifies as people face pressure to buy gifts, host gatherings, and meet seasonal expectations. Increased alcohol consumption at holiday parties and family gatherings can lower inhibitions and escalate conflicts. Forced proximity during time off work means survivors spend more continuous hours with their harm-doers, with fewer opportunities to seek help or find respite.

The social pressure to present a “perfect family” image can also trap survivors in dangerous situations. Many feel compelled to maintain appearances during holiday gatherings, making it harder to reach out for support or acknowledge the severity of their circumstances.

Recognizing the Signs

Domestic violence takes many forms beyond physical abuse. It includes emotional manipulation, economic control, isolation from friends and family, threats, intimidation, and coercive behavior. During the holidays, you might notice someone who seems anxious about their partner’s reaction to social interactions, makes excuses for injuries or frequent cancellations, or appears increasingly isolated from their support network.

How to Support Survivors Safely

If you suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence, your instinct may be to encourage them to leave immediately. However, leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time for a victim. Research shows that the period during and immediately after separation sees the highest risk of severe violence or homicide. A harm-doer’s need to maintain control often escalates dramatically when they sense they’re losing power over their partner.

Instead of pressuring someone to leave, offer consistent, non-judgmental support. Let them know you’re concerned and available to help without demanding they take specific actions. Respect their timeline and their intimate knowledge of their own situation. Survivors are the experts on their own safety, and they’re often making careful calculations about when and how to leave based on factors outsiders can’t fully see.

You can offer practical support by helping them create a safety plan, which might include identifying safe spaces, keeping important documents accessible, establishing code words with trusted friends, and knowing where to access resources. Listen without judgment, believe what they tell you, and avoid criticizing their choices or their harm-doer, which can push them further into isolation.

Reporting Domestic Violence Responsibly

If you witness domestic violence or believe someone is in immediate danger, calling 911 is appropriate. However, be mindful that involving law enforcement isn’t always the safest option for every survivor, particularly for those in marginalized communities who may face additional risks from police interaction.

When reporting concerns, focus on observable behaviors and specific incidents rather than making assumptions. If you’re reporting on behalf of someone else, understand that this removes their control over the situation and could potentially escalate danger. Whenever possible, support the survivor in making their own decisions about reporting.

Resources and Support

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential support is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or by texting “START” to 88788. Online chat is also available at thehotline.org.

Local domestic violence agencies can provide crisis intervention, safety planning, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling services. Many organizations offer specialized support for specific communities and can help navigate the complex process of increasing safety, whether that involves leaving or staying.

Community Responsibility

Addressing domestic violence requires community-wide awareness and coordinated response. We all have a role to play in creating a culture that refuses to tolerate abuse, that believes in survivors, and that provides meaningful support without judgment.

This holiday season, the most important gift we can offer survivors is patience, respect for their autonomy, and unwavering support for whatever decisions they make about their own safety. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is simply let someone know: I see you, I believe you, and I’m here whenever you need me.

If you’re concerned about someone’s safety, trust your instincts but also trust their expertise in their own lives. Together, we can create communities where everyone can experience true safety and peace, not just during the holidays but every day of the year.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 88788
Online Chat: thehotline.org

Categories
Children Community DVAF

Update on the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund

Domestic Violence Assistance Fund-Update

By: Shannon Falk,
Project Manager

As an agency that convenes the community to discover opportunities to improve services, Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council convened a very special meeting of community stakeholders and survivors in 2016 to look at opportunities to expand the menu of services offered for families affected by domestic violence, and to increase victims’ access to services and safety. This discussion was a collective opportunity for our community to think about innovative ways to go beyond the way services were currently being offered. It was also an opportunity to hear directly from survivors about the needs and challenges they faced in the pursuit of safety.

The work of the community stakeholders led to the idea of developing a flexible funding project that could prevent families who experience domestic violence from entering homelessness and reduce the amount of time families need emergency shelter services. This in turn could prioritize increased access to services, meeting basic needs, increased economic stability, and increased safety.

Harris County Commissioners and their staff began meeting with the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council in the Spring of 2020 to address the increasing challenges for those fleeing domestic violence. Leadership at Harris County recognized that the pandemic would increase the needs of victims of domestic violence, so the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF) was established first with CARES ACT funding and later with ARPA funding. Administered by the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC), the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund provided flexible financial relief to domestic violence survivors through community-based organizations. The goal of the Fund is to rapidly and thoughtfully aid victims of domestic violence and their families with increasing access to services and improving safety. Organizations can do so by providing basic needs assistance (e.g., food) to reduce food insecurity, flexible emergency assistance to ensure safety from domestic violence, housing emergency financial assistance to limit homelessness, childcare assistance to facilitate continued employment, and daily living supplies and other needs (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies). Funding for evaluation of the project was included. The first round of funding was evaluated in 2021 and showed that victims who were fleeing had increased access to safety due to the funding that was provided through the Fund.

In 2022, Harris County Commissioners awarded HCDVCC an additional DVAF grant for approximately $4.7 million from ARPA funding to continue the work of the flexible funding project. Building on the success of the ARPA funded project, Harris County Commissioners created a line-item in the general county budget to award HCDVCC $1.5 million to continue the flexible funding DVAF project for all of Harris County. This marked a historic victory for victims of domestic violence to have an intentionally targeted and funded item within the County’s budget. HCDVCC continues to partner with 19 organizations to disperse throughout the County. Many of the organizations that participated in the fund focused specifically and solely on serving domestic violence survivors; however, there is a mix of grass roots organizations helping underserved communities as well as an agency serving human trafficking survivors.
Flexible funding has proven to be a low barrier, quick response approach to helping families with financial assistance that could prevent them from entering the homeless system as well as serving as a tool to help a family become safer. The concept of flexible funding support is being used across the nation by other domestic violence service providers, and it has been evaluated as a proven strategy to improve safety for survivors.

Harris County survivors have been able to use the funds for needs related to childcare, transportation (car repairs, car payments, and gas), utilities (electricity, gas, and phone bills), moving (deposits, furniture, and other moving expenses), and safety (security cameras and ring doorbell systems). In the past, some of these expenses would not have been regarded by participating agencies as “basic needs.” However, the significance of some of those items (security systems) to the well-being and mental health of survivors can be life changing. The top category of assistance provided was for food assistance which accounted for 20% of all disbursements, followed by daily living expenses and rental assistance, with 17% of total disbursements each. It is also worth noting that the research study being conducted by UTHealth has found that many clients receiving DVAF assistance are reporting a greater level of trust in the advocates that they are working with. This is a critical finding that demonstrates this flexible funding is not only helping stabilize the survivors with their immediate needs but also building stronger relationships with the staff and agencies who are assisting them which strengthens their support system and in turn their long-term stability.

In 2024, the Fund served 1,207 households with a total of 3,331 individuals within those households. A total of 2,558 households and 7,317 individuals have been served in 2023-2024. By partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout the county, the Fund was able to reach a wide range of diverse and marginalized communities.

  • Most survivors had children; 59% of all individuals served were children under 18 years old. This equates to 1,965 children served in 2024 and total of 4,398 children served in 2023-2024.
  • Most clients served were renters (64%) and another 32% were living in a shelter or other/unknown situation, while the minority (4%) were homeowners.
  • The clients served were all low income and below 60% AMI with 50% of survivors having no reported income. Other vulnerabilities included 47% of households considered uninsured, and 20% experiencing homelessness.
  • Most of the survivors served were female (96%); with 3% male survivors served and a remaining 1% who identified their gender as other.

While some of the survivors that were served lived near the DVAF organizations that served them, there were clients who came from almost every zip code in Harris County. Zip codes 77036, 77449 and 77077 were the areas where the greatest number of DVAF distributions occurred. There are a number of partner organizations that are located in the 77036-zip code or in the near vicinity and zip code 77077 is close to this zip code as well. 77449 is located north of I-10 and may be a result of trying to reach clients from the northern part of the county despite having minimal partner agencies there.

HCDVCC believes in the power of evaluation to give us the evidence and information necessary to make good decisions for future program investment. It is the best way to ensure that clients are being served effectively as well as ensure that these program dollars are put to good use. Briefly mentioned earlier, HCDVCC has employed Dr. Leila Wood, Professor and Director of Research and Evaluation, Center for Violence Prevention with the McGovern Medical School at UT Health Houston to design and implement a full evaluation of the DVAF funding. Work has included securing IRB approval, designing of survey instruments and tools, and interviews with participating agencies. Connections with all participating agencies of the Fund were made in August 2024 and the survey link was provided to those agencies to distribute to new clients receiving DVAF assistance. Some preliminary findings include:

Improving Survivor Safety

  • Addressing security concerns (Ring cameras, door locks, other safety technology)
  •  Gain access to housing and transportation that allows survivors to leave harm-doing partners
  • Giving survivors their own financial resources
  • Stabilizing transportation access to criminal justice and safety remedies
  • Pay for legal fees for divorce, custody, or other civil remedies

Increasing Survivor Economic Stability

  •  Increasing housing stability (paying rent, deposits, application fees)
  • Facilitating economic empowerment and stability (job training, education, computers for work at home jobs). Having seed funds to start small business
  • Paying for childcare
  • Transportation (fixing or getting a car) to go to work or school

Improving Survivor Physical and Mental Health

  • Reducing stress
  • Empowering survivors to meet their needs
  • Having resources for food
  • Having funds for appointments, testing, and other medical and MH procedures
  • Funding for medications while awaiting insurance coverage

Stabilizing the Needs of Children

  • Pays for child supplies and basic needs
  • Allows for funds for child mental and physical health needs while insurance is pending

Facilitating Greater Connection and Trust

  • Which means engagement in other helpful services (counseling, legal aid, economic empowerment support)
  • Can reduce feelings of isolation and depression

Reducing Occupational Stress of Advocates

  • Advocates can better meet survivor needs
  • Advocates have more avenues to help people improve their own safety
  • There is a clear process for the program, but it is flexible to both survivor and advocate use

The Harris County DVAF project is serving as a national model for how flexible funding can increase and expand avenues and pathways to safety that are victim-defined and survivor-focused. A recent case study highlighting this work was developed and presented by the National Safe Housing Alliance. This study has been shared with the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, in collaboration with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. It is a beautiful example of how a community can be creative and focused on meeting the needs of those who have experienced trauma and amplifying how a community can intentionally focus efforts for meeting the needs of BIPOC communities.

Thank you to the Harris County Commissioners and staff members who worked to ensure that this project gained the support and confidence to meet critical needs of our most vulnerable community members. Thank you to the partners who work diligently to find ways to support families in our community. And most importantly, thank you to victims and survivors who show great courage in stepping out to seek assistance, increase safety, and find pathways for healing and hope. We are inspired by your courage and persistence.

Click here to learn more about the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund