SAFE HARBOR SHELTER
Program Description:
Safe Harbor shelter's primary focus is on offering services to homeless battered women and their children. This residential program is designed to empower the lives of victims of domestic violence through case management and extensive programs. Safe Harbor and its intensive collaboration within community concentrates on professional development for the staff, a safe a secure facility and providing a full spectrum of educational, empowering and skill oriented workshops for the families.
Professional Development: All Safe Harbor staff are required to be certified in CPR/First Aide and have a certain number of Domestic Violence training. Safe Harbor designs on-going training to tackle the constant arising issues. The facility is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, therefore the needs of the staff are as unique as the shift that they cover. Policies and procedures are an important part of the initial 15-20 hours of training before a new staff may cover any shift. The training includes job shadowing. Staff communication is vital to the comprehensive care of the program. Weekend, overnight, off-hour and full time staff are encouraged to seek professional development opportunities. Safe Harbor provides technical support and training. Some of these opportunities cover: weekly supervision, CPR/First Aid certification, specialized domestic violence training, security, substance abuse, mental health, DTA benefits, stress management, computers, conflict resolution, community resources, emergency weather preparation, fire evacuation, emergency response, legal issues. Weekly program staff meetings and monthly all staff meetings are held, as well as, a yearly program off-site workshop - which is in addition to the agency off-site. Professional development is a large piece of the Safe Harbor program and important to the success of the program participants needing to break down so many barriers to be able to reach a level of safe, independent living.
Client Services: Guests referred to Safe Harbor are directed to the Department of Transitional Assistance for Emergency Assistance. If a client is deemed in imminent danger, they are referred to a local agency to be safe housed. If there seems to be no immanent danger, a comprehensive intake is completed by the potential guest, the Child/Family Advocate and the Assistant Project Director. The intake gathers information regarding; the issues with abuse/violence, health, legal issues, substance abuse, children, DSS, housing & a general family history. When the family has been thoroughly assessed, invited into the program and agrees to participate, the family designs a Family Life Plan with their assigned Child/ Family Advocate. The Family Life Plan unfolds as referrals are made, service provider appointments are set, progress is discussed in case status and weekly meeting with the advocate and guests begin to overcome initial obstacles that may have prevented them from being self-sufficient. Through the case management style of the Safe Harbor program, Child/Family Advocates consistently confer and partner with outside agencies to meet the individual needs of the guests and their children. Guests are required to participate in "life" for at least, 7 hours a day - 5 days a week. The concept is that, within the safe environment, the guests are empowered to realize that they deserve a quality of life and it starts with getting involved. The 7 hours may be filled with employment/training/education opportunities and/or within the groups and workshops provided by Safe Harbor. On a daily basis Safe Harbor provides programs in a safe, nurturing environment to the guests and their children to assist them in discovering alternatives to violence and abuse that they have witnessed. The workshops are designed to help the families build healthy, happy bonds and educate them with tools and skills to break the cycle of violence and live abuse free and independently.
Children's Center: The Children's Center consists of programs for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, school age children and families. Mom's complete a child/family conference with the CC Teacher, which is an opportunity to discuss the concern/style/dreams of the family. Safe Harbor is designed to improve family functioning and focuses on assisting the mother in building or rebuilding the mother/child relationship. Once the mother has toured the center and learned about the Children's Center approach, the child may attend the center while their parent attends a group on-site, or older children may attend the After school Program.
The Center is Safe Harbor's conduit to family activities. "Mom & Me" activities are planned weekly and families are required to attend and participate. These activities are based on the concept of encouraging active positive parenting, as well as, teaching the importance of positive role modeling and nurturing skills. The Teacher, in collaboration with the night staff, arrange evening family - fun activities to encourage play. The evening activities may be a movie, arts & crafts or games and are optional.
Security: Safe Harbor is a non-clandestine, confidential , secured facility. The security of the facility was charted as the #1 component that guests liked best about the program as a result of the needs assessment. Safe Harbor security is comprised of a security coordinator and a team of security guards, electronic security systems, alarms and very stringent procedures that all guards must be proficient in. The facility is secured around the clock with coverage and system, yet is designed to not be invasive to the families or represent a feeling of being "jailed". The guards are proficient in maintaining the security of the facility without aggressiveness and intrusion. Guards, as well as staff, are trained in- safe approach of all vehicles/people, evasive/defensive action, compound & facility checks, security alarms and monitoring equipment, emergency response, incident procedures and documentation, weather contingencies and boundaries. Comprehensive trainings of guards are ongoing and continually being developed. Response drills are scheduled and unannounced on a staggering shift, weekly basis. Collaboration with the local Sheriff's and Police department increase training opportunities and safety of the facility. Constant training and drills continue to improve and enhance the technical and tactical proficiency of the security team.
Contact: Betsy Fontes, Director of Shelter Programs/Social Services Director
Tel. No. 508.790.2933
Fax. 508.778.7528
Email. betsyf@cacci.cc