Project: SAFE

PROJECT PURPOSE

Project: SAFE provides advocacy for safety, empowerment, healing, and freedom from abuse for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties. Project: SAFE never closed down during the pandemic. The pandemic and resulting lockdown exacerbated issues proven to lead to domestic violence. We have seen this locally, serving more clients overall in 2020 and 2021 than in 2019, including a 33% spike in child sexual assault cases. In order to maintain continued operations safely as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, Project: SAFE requests financial support to implement structural changes that will help prevent the spread of the virus. ARPA funding will ensure we can continue providing these crucial services to our clients, which empowers them to maintain social and financial stability, thus impacting our entire state. ARPA funding will be utilized to purchase PPE and air purifying mechanisms for our congregate shelter; provide mental health support for clients and staff; provide premium pay for staff who have worked with the public throughout the pandemic; provide professional cleaning of our facilities; and deliver outreach and education of our program services to reach underserved clients.

EVIDENCE

The CDC states that ?intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem? and the financial impact of IPV through healthcare, lost work productivity, criminal justice, and other costs is approximately $103,767 over a victim?s lifetime. Additionally, the American Psychiatric Association reported that, due to COVID-19, 20% of IPV survivors experienced new psychiatric disorders. Likewise, staff who work with these clients are prone to experiencing ?vicarious trauma.? Finally, the University of Texas at San Antonio report that one of the top hindrances to providing IPV services was that ?survivors are not aware of the services agencies are providing.?

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Project: SAFE primarily serves Pottawatomie and Lincoln Counties. As of January 3, 2022, these two counties have had 20,541 confirmed cases. This equates to approximately 19% of the total population who have had the virus. These two counties are primarily rural. A 2021 article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America states that the ?effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural populations have been severe, with significant negative impacts on unemployment, overall life satisfaction, mental health, and economic outlook.? Because rural areas tend to have ?higher levels of poverty, fewer job opportunities, and heightened vulnerability to labor market shocks? as well as lacking ?access to healthcare? and having ?older and health-compromised populations,? the pandemic is more likely to impact health and economic related well-being in these areas. This is true for Project: SAFE?s catchment area, which has an average poverty rate of 14.4% and lacks social services, healthcare facilities, transportation providers, and economic opportunity outside of primarily Shawnee. Not only does this make these counties more vulnerable, it creates barriers for many who are struggling to maintain long-term stability.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The Assistant Executive Director is tasked with measuring project performance. First, clients complete surveys regarding the support they received from our staff. Secondly, we complete an agency-wide evaluation and annual report. This annual system of review allows us to compare our services year-to-year and note any weaknesses we need to address. Additionally, we have a robust data-tracking system that allows us to keep strong case histories for all clients we serve. This system enables us to know if a client is new or returning, and if returning, what additional supports they may need to fully break the cycle of abuse.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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