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Nearly a dozen victims of domestic violence in western Nevada County — women and their children — have had to leave a safe house in the area to find somewhere else to live.
As California officials wrestle with a $26.3 billion state budget deficit, their continued cuts to social service programs have forced the closure of 96 battered women's shelters across the state, including one operated by the Grass Valley-based Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition.
About 80 percent of the funding for the local shelter — or $160,000 — came through the state Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Grant, new DVSAC Director Niko Johnson said.
“What we're talking about is people's lives, people fleeing domestic violence situations,” Johnson said of the budget cuts.
Throughout California, cuts to domestic violence programs funded through the grant saved $16.3 million, Johnson added. The 96 shelters serve about 200,000 women, plus their children, each year, according to the program's Web site.
On Friday, the last of five residents of the area safe house were moved out. In the past two weeks, as word of the cuts came, the house's nearly dozen residents have found alternative housing in private homes and their own apartments. The residents included at least three families, some with small children, Johnson said.
Women of Worth, a local nonprofit that assists women fleeing domestic violence, helped provide first and last-month rent for those who needed it, Johnson said.
“A number of groups in the community have stepped up with funding for (the former safe house residents) to get set up,” Johnson added. “Every one of them is in a safe place, and for that, we're very grateful.
“We will continue to work with these families, and they'll come to support groups and receive other social services,” Johnson said.
“Generous donors” have offered enough money to keep the house that had been used, Johnson said.
DVSAC's shelter costs about $200,000 yearly to run, including the shelter, three employees who staff it at all times, all physical needs, counseling and other services, and transportation. It serves up to 12 people at any one time who stay up to 60 days while they get back on their feet (occasionally, residents go to 90 days), and it usually is near capacity, Johnson said.
The depth of the cuts caught DVSAC staff by surprise.
“We had expected a 20 percent cut to our grant,” Johnson said. Instead, the grant was cut 100 percent. Other shelters in California received 30 percent to 100 percent of their funding through the state grant, which comes through the state Department of Public Health, she added.
Johnson is a 12-year area resident and mother who has been a staffer or board member at DVSAC for about 10 years,
Supporters of the program are looking in a “new direction” to continue services. Johnson said. In the meantime, services at the DVSAC office will continue, including a hotline.
For more information about California's Domestic Violence Program, visit www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/DVP/Pages/default.aspx.
To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.
As California officials wrestle with a $26.3 billion state budget deficit, their continued cuts to social service programs have forced the closure of 96 battered women's shelters across the state, including one operated by the Grass Valley-based Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition.
About 80 percent of the funding for the local shelter — or $160,000 — came through the state Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Grant, new DVSAC Director Niko Johnson said.
“What we're talking about is people's lives, people fleeing domestic violence situations,” Johnson said of the budget cuts.
Throughout California, cuts to domestic violence programs funded through the grant saved $16.3 million, Johnson added. The 96 shelters serve about 200,000 women, plus their children, each year, according to the program's Web site.
On Friday, the last of five residents of the area safe house were moved out. In the past two weeks, as word of the cuts came, the house's nearly dozen residents have found alternative housing in private homes and their own apartments. The residents included at least three families, some with small children, Johnson said.
Women of Worth, a local nonprofit that assists women fleeing domestic violence, helped provide first and last-month rent for those who needed it, Johnson said.
“A number of groups in the community have stepped up with funding for (the former safe house residents) to get set up,” Johnson added. “Every one of them is in a safe place, and for that, we're very grateful.
“We will continue to work with these families, and they'll come to support groups and receive other social services,” Johnson said.
“Generous donors” have offered enough money to keep the house that had been used, Johnson said.
DVSAC's shelter costs about $200,000 yearly to run, including the shelter, three employees who staff it at all times, all physical needs, counseling and other services, and transportation. It serves up to 12 people at any one time who stay up to 60 days while they get back on their feet (occasionally, residents go to 90 days), and it usually is near capacity, Johnson said.
The depth of the cuts caught DVSAC staff by surprise.
“We had expected a 20 percent cut to our grant,” Johnson said. Instead, the grant was cut 100 percent. Other shelters in California received 30 percent to 100 percent of their funding through the state grant, which comes through the state Department of Public Health, she added.
Johnson is a 12-year area resident and mother who has been a staffer or board member at DVSAC for about 10 years,
Supporters of the program are looking in a “new direction” to continue services. Johnson said. In the meantime, services at the DVSAC office will continue, including a hotline.
For more information about California's Domestic Violence Program, visit www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/DVP/Pages/default.aspx.
To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.
