Women in Distress of Broward County

Residential services - to provide safe temporary emergency housing for victims of domestic violence, their dependents and pets. The emergency shelter has a capacity of up to 132 beds. Supportive services are also available at the shelter, including individual and group counseling sessions on the dynamics of domestic violence, advocacy, crisis counseling and referrals. in addition, the program also provides food, clothing, child care assistance and other services. Respite services are available to supervise children while the parent/guardian is receiving services. Family outings and activities are also offered occasionally. Services are obtained through the 24-hour crisis line.

Injunction for protection - to provide legal counsel for survivors wishing to pursue or secure an injunction for protection against their batterer. The legal services include counsel before the injuction is filed, filing of the petition and representation during final/violation hearings. All legal services through this program are free of cost and are open to those being serviced through residential services and outreach services as well as survivors who may not be currently registered with the organization.the ifp program is funded through a collaboration of the Florida coalition against domestic violence and the office of the attorney general.

Outreach services - to provide victims of domestic violence and their dependents with support counseling on the dynamics of domestic violence, crisis counseling, and engaging in other supportive activities as appropriate. Domestic violence victims are also provided case management, referrals, documentation of abuser patterns and safety plans. Outreach services are also available on a limited basis at satellite offices and partner agencies. Respite services are available to supervise children while the parent/guardian is receiving services.

Thrift store - to provide additional revenues to support core operations for the organization and provide clothing and household items to program participants. Donated goods and merchandise are sold to the public and proceeds are used in the daily operation of the organization. Program participants are also provided clothing and furniture from the store free of charge.

Crisis hotline: the purpose of the crisis hotline is to be a ready and available source of information and support to victims of domestic violence and to the community. The crisis hotline is operational 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Since december of 2014 the 24-hour crisis hotline has been expanded to become a separate program housed in its own space at the jim and jan moran family center. All the services that are available through the organization's advocacy program are available on the hotline through its dedicated crisis line staff and include safety planning, service management as well as information and referral.

Prevention and education services - the organization maintains ongoing outreach efforts to educate Broward County's residents about the dynamics, definitions and impact of intimate partner violence in the community and the people they serve. The organization provides prevention, education and awareness to youth and adults so they may better understand how bullying and intimate partner violence perpetuate themselves, the effects on family members, school community and society as a whole, intervention and prevention methods, and the programs and services available at the organization. Training and prevention is provided to help youth and community members recognize the warning signs of intimate partner violence and understand its impact on families and society. Creating change among attitudes, beliefs and behaviors surrounding intimate partner violence is critical so the community can appropriately refer victims for assistance and increase the possibility of early intervention and prevention.