Family Safety Center

PROJECT PURPOSE

Housing as many as 30 multi-disciplinary partner agencies, conference center and a Court facility designed to provide maximum safety, assessment and ease trauma of underserved victims of violence and abuse exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, the 65,000 sf Family Safety Center multipurpose community facility expects to host more than 30,000 individuals impacted by domestic and intimate partner violence annually. Prioritization of mitigation, treatment and preventative resources for mental and physical health issues will break the cycle of generational violence experienced by disproportionately affected populations. The improved and expanded access to justice (Courtroom and legal services), housing and transportation solutions, and enhanced medical and advocacy services among others will positively affect communities of color traditionally negatively impacted by vulnerabilities exacerbated by COVID. Services will include multidisciplinary, co-located resources needed by victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse and human trafficking to successfully navigate the justice system for protection. Resources include civil legal services, advocacy, tribal services, law enforcement investigation, a variety of counseling, training and referral services including mental health assessment and trauma-mitigation education programming, emergency supplies and housing solutions, medical and health assessment with opportunities for training of family practice residents/interns relating to abuse, children?s and survivors? programs .

EVIDENCE

The Family Safety Center was one of 15 original Department of Justice awardees of the Presidents Initiative on Family Justice Centers in 2004. Opening in 2006, Tulsa's FSC was the first multi-disciplinary co-located service provider in Oklahoma with three others opening in the past 3 years. Each agency embedding their staff in the FSC utilizes best practices, recognized and certified by their specific professional organizations. The FSC is one of 32 accredited, certified Family Justice Centers recognized by the National Family Justice Center Alliance.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Those most impacted by COVID include underserved communities in the Qualified Census Tracts in Tulsa County. The demographics include communities of color experiencing disparities in access to justice programming because of limited access and lack of trust in the justice system. 2020 Equality Indicators for the City of Tulsa reported domestic violence calls to 911 were 1.5 times more likely to come from North Tulsa (traditionally low income and below poverty level neighborhoods in the QCT) rather than South Tulsa. COVID related issues such as increased gun violence, job loss, closed schools, reduced meal options for children, limited access to health care, mental health issues, and shelter-in-place combined to force extended contact with abusers exacerbating already stressed households and escalated levels of violence and abuse in communities of color. The expanded facility and program options will increase trust in the system, enhance safety, and prevent and reduce violent crime.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project and expenditure reports will be submitted monthly/quarterly including data regarding construction progress, sub-awards, aggregated and de-identified racial equity indicators, community engagement and other measures as required by the State. Performance reports submitted on a regular basis or on request will include demographics of total community served, programmatic outputs and outcomes of clients utilizing services and other data as required by the State. Specific metrics will relate to demographics of clients residing in QCT of Tulsa County.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma