Problem Statement for Grant Proposal

According to the results of a survey that was published by the Spectrum Institute Disability and
Abuse Project, over 70 percent of respondents who had a disability experienced abuse by an
intimate partner, family member, and others close to them.

Every year, over 10 million women and men suffer abuse from an intimate partner. Across the
board people with disabilities have an even worse situation; they are twice as likely to be the
victim of violence and three times as likely to be sexually assaulted compared to people without
disabilities. Currently, over 450,000 people living in Southwestern Pa report having at least one
disability which accounts for almost 19% of the total population CCN serves.

A significant obstacle to many people with disabilities who are suffering from domestic abuse is
their ability to access the services of domestic violence organizations across the country. Crisis
Center North (CCN) is currently in the process of addressing this issue by removing many of the
obstacles that prevent people with disabilities from getting the help they need, and although
much as been accomplished, there is still so more that needs to be done.
At the moment, Crisis Center North has already received the highest score in the region as a
victim service provider by the VERA Institute of Justice when it came to CCN’s readiness to
implement new programs and projects dedicated to domestic abuse victims with disabilities; the
total percentage for Commitment being 35% and Capacity being 37% respectively.

Among the services CCN has started providing, a new Mobile Advocacy Service which began in
2017, was created with intent of reaching out to more people with limited access to CCN,
whether is due to a disability or other circumstances by bringing the services directly to the
victim. Since the program started, over 400 victims have been served and CCN is projected to
reach out to an even greater number of people as they head to the future.

Training sessions have also been implemented to employees that includes working with the
Hearing and Deaf Services in an effort to increase their understanding towards trauma informed
interpretation, confidentiality and the resources within our local community. CCN has also made
a considerable effort toward increasing the use of interpreters for clients.

Along with the creation and expansion of services dedicated to helping people with disabilities,
CCN wants to pursue capacity building initiatives that will be created with the intention to
provide better conditions for domestic violence victims with disabilities.

With FISA’s help and funding, CCN plans on finding and renovating a new building that will
remove the physical barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing the support and
services they need. This new building will remove critical, physical barriers such as improving
access to all of CCN’s entryways and doorways, parking spaces and furniture. Additionally, with
the expansion of these services and programs, CCN has outgrown its current space as 6
employees do not have dedicated office spaces.

FISA’s support and funding will go a long way in enabling CCN to achieve its ambitious goals
of creating and expanding trauma informed services and giving the proper, physical
accommodations for CCN employees and the clients they serve.

By renovating a new building, Crisis Center North wants to create a safe and welcoming
environment that is custom-tailored toward empowering people with disabilities by enabling
them to get the access to the help they need.