Tri-Town Community Action Agency

What do we do?

The targeted age group includes any victim throughout any stage of their life cycle, however, due to recent trends indicating a rise in certain crimes against specific age groups, the program focuses on the elderly population (currently 251 abuse clients are reported through Tri-TownÕs Elder Case Management Program and 61 elder abuse clients are reported in Washington County. Although the Department of Elderly Affairs funds projects for an elderly case management program, services are not restricted to abuse only. Most case managers are overwhelmed with over 100 cases. Additionally, only 1 out of 14 elders report abuse and neglect since it is often times committed by a family member.

Who are we?

Although the Tri-Town Community Action Agency and the South County Community Action Agency has not provided a VOCA Grant in the past, case managers are highly familiar with victims of crime, since the Agency provides services to populations, which are found to be more vulnerable to crime. The programs directly provided include Early and Basic Head Start, Pre-School, Mental Health Counseling and Treatment, Substance Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Tobacco Treatment (Adults), Tobacco Cessation (youth), Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Program, Safe and Drug Free Schools, New Opportunity Homes (Teens), Homeless Teens, Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Housing Assistance Program, Commodities Distribution, Elder Case Management Program (abuse/neglect), Fuel-Assistance, Weatherization, Appliance Management, Youth Diversionary Program, Employment and Training (Adults and Youth), Even Start Family Literacy, Parents as Teachers, Youth Success Initiative, Truancy Court Program, Juvenile Justice Hearing Board five (5), Male Responsibility Program, Family Therapy, Individual and Group Counseling, Article 23 (Wayward, Disobedient, Truant Youth), Health Center, HIV/AIDs Testing and Counseling, REACh Program Comprehensive Case Management Program, Crisis Intervention.

All staff are Case Managers are required to hold a BachelorÕs Degree in Social Work or Equivalent, supervised by at least a Masters Degreed person.

What is our challenge?

As indicated, the South County Community Action Agency and the Tri-Town Community Action Agency have little or no resources to assist victims of crime in Northwestern Rhode Island and in Washington County. This problem has been presented various times through the AgencyÕs Annual Community Needs Assessment and through anecdotal information provided by Agency staff.

Aside from the core cities, towns in the 18 town catchment area have some of the highest poverty rates, low/moderate income residents, little or no transportation or resources. Some indicators include:

• Child Abuse Neglect Cases 335
• Children Witnessing Domestic Violence 278
• Domestic Violence Reports 4878
• Murder 2
• Rape 32
• Robbery 42
• Burglary 809
• Assault 206
• Larceny 3436
• Car Theft 301
• Sexual Assaults/Child 52
• Elder Abuse 420

There are a total of 31, 233 low/moderate income households in the service area, which including other barriers to self-sufficiency.

Action Plan

All services provided by Tri-Town and South County will be provided to clients as needed.

Criminal justice related services: Directed to the needs of victims within the criminal justice system including accompaniment to police departments and during court procedures; transportation and child care; and assistance in filing elder abuse and child abuse petitions and temporary restraining orders. Note: Once all Case Managers are trained in Victims Rights they assist VOCA staff in an effort to increase number of victims served and possibility of becoming a self-sustaining Victims Assistance Program after the first or second year of funding through VOCA.

Case Managers ensures victims are provided with information regarding:

• Constitutional Rights for Crime Victims
• Restitution and Compensation
• Pursuing Criminal Complaint
• Filing Restraining Orders
• How to File a Civil Suit
• Victims Rights
• How to be a Witness
• Community Action/Volunteerism
• Client Confidentiality Laws
• Victim Satisfaction
• What to do After the Arrest
• Pre-Court Appearances
• Court Appearances
• Before Case Disposition
• After Case Disposition
• Follow-up and After Care Planning

Forensic Medical Examinations are conducted at local or state hospitals with assistance from Case Managers (transportation, arrangements for child care, etc.) Any other medical care needed may be obtained through the Tri-Town Health Center, which accepts all forms of insurance and has a sliding scale fee. No one is denied care due to inability to pay. Tri-Town physicians have admitting privileges.

Staff Development and Training: To be conducted through Tri-Town and South County Staff (in-kind) who will attend upcoming Training Institute for Victims of Crime and through a private Consultant regarding forensic investigative psychophysiology and forensic social work are provided to staff, volunteers and other agencies, which provide direct services to crime victims. Printing and Distribution of brochures and literature describing victims rights and services are to be published to inform the community, media, agencies, potential volunteers and victims themselves of the resources available through the Victims Assistance Program.

Training Curriculum includes, but not be limited to:

• Community Needs Assessment: Tools and Techniques
• Dating Violence
• Domestic Violence Investigation
• Program Evaluation
• Teen Victimization
• Train the Trainer
• Addressing Repeat Victimization
• Elder Abuse and the Law
• Building Collaborative Relationships
• Civil Justice and Sexual Assault
• Outreach to Male Victims

How do we measure ourselves?

Tri-Town Community Action Agency monitors the financial and programmatic goals and outcomes of the program through the following:

• Monthly ROMA Reports Ð Reviewed by Director of Administration, Controller, Deputy Executive Director and Project Director
• Weekly Supervision Meetings between Project Director and Case Manager
• Monthly Board Reports reviewed by Executive Director and Deputy Director
• Monthly Financial Statements reviewed by Deputy Director, Project Director and Controller
• Random Monitoring of Case Files
• Clients To Success Evaluation/Progress Report
• Client Satisfaction Survey

Tri-Town Community Action Program
1126 Hartford Avenue
Johnston, Rhode Island 02919
Telephone: (401) 351-2750
Web Page: http://members.aol.com/tritowncaa/
E-mail: bdowlatshahi@tri-town.org