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Theme 4: Improving Access to Second-Stage Services for Women who have Experienced Abuse

Project Goal

To improve access to high quality services for abused women leaving emergency shelters.

Project Objective

To enable second-stage shelters and other community organizations to better assist women who have experienced abuse, particularly in under-served areas, to access appropriate services and transition to violence-free lives.

Description

This 24-month project will respond to the specific needs of women, including Aboriginal and immigrant women, who have experienced abuse as they transition to violence-free lives. Innovative service delivery models and supports will be tested over the course of the project to ensure women using shelters benefit from new approaches and standards. The project will facilitate improvements in services for abused women and results will be shared with organizations working on similar issues across Canada.

Funding Available

Up to $200,000 for a 24-month project.

Key Activities

1. Plan project and adapt to specific target population needs.
   • Conduct a gender-based analysis and needs assessment to identify the institutional and other barriers to high quality services for abused women leaving emergency shelters.
   • Identify and consult potential allies or project partners.
2. Develop/adapt innovative service delivery models and other supports (programs, resources, policies, strategies) to improve access to and quality of services. For example,
   • proven and/or promising shelter practices, protocols, models of continuous, comprehensive support, services for women and girls who use shelters and services to increase their economic security, for example through access to benefits and housing, financial independence programs, legal information services, mentorship programs and culturally relevant services/programs for specific target groups such as immigrant women or Aboriginal women.
3. Delivery and implemention.
   • Work with shelter and second-stage service providers to identify and act on priorities and strategies.
   • Work with service providers to increase access to and quality of services.
   • Network and engage with allies and other organizations.
   • Pilot tools and approaches to ensure their effectiveness. Network and engage with allies and other organizations.
4. Evaluate the project
5. Share results

Planned Results

• Project participants have increased their ability to protect themselves, pursue personal goals and live free from violence,
• Service providers have increased understanding of the needs (related to access to and quality of services) of abused women leaving emergency shelters.
• Effective service delivery models and supports have been identified that respond to the specific needs of women transitioning to violence-free lives.

Longer-Term Results (after project's end):

• Second-stage shelters and other community organizations are responding to the specific needs of women by actively implementing changes and best practices to service delivery and standards of care.
• Shelters across Canada have improved service delivery and standards of care for women who have experienced violence.
• Women using emergency shelters and second-stage services are benefiting from higher quality services and standards.

Project Deliverables (after approval)

Month 4

Detailed work plan and budget, list of project allies and partners, results management framework, evaluation plan.

Month 12

Interim report and strategy to share knowledge.

Month 24

Final report and evaluation.