This session will be recorded. Zoom Set-up Mute Camera off Captioning Be Mindful of your background Give everyone an opportunity to participate Spotlight Hands Up or Questions Zoom Chat Facebook wall on Bridges Oregon Facebook Messenger to Bridges Oregon Introduction... Land Acknowledgement We are gathered on the land of the Kalapuya, who are represented today by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, whose relationship with this land continues to this day. We offer gratitude for the land itself, for those who have stewarded it for generations, and for the opportunity to study, learn, work, and be in community on this land. Finally, we respectfully acknowledge and honor past, present, and future Indigenous individuals of the Willamette Valley. ...of, by, for, and with Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing and those with additional disabilities in Oregon. Bridges Oregon Mission statement: ...to facilitate equity, inclusiveness and provide a bridge to opportunities through advocacy, education and communication. ...barriers and discrimination in Advocacy Services Case Management Services Communication Access Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault Education Employment Health Care Legal System Mental Health Public Services Substance and Alcohol Abuse Transportation The 2016 Community-Based Needs Assessment of Oregon’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities by Western Oregon University (WOU) showed…. Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Advocacy & Accompaniment Services Confidentiality Grant Requirement Information Sharing Mandatory Reporter Policy, ROIs, and Training Milestones in 2021 Bridges Oregon in the process Jan 2021 1st month on VOCA grant! May 2021 Submitted Goals and Objectives Apr 2021 Interviewed several candidates for VOCA Client Advocate Mar 2021 VOCA Client Advocate begin Summer 2021 VOCA Service Open. Tentative Start Date Monday, July 12, 2021 It depends on fulfilling the training requirements by the grant. Bridges Oregon is here to serve the victims of crime who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing: Work with Bridges Oregon Advocate Legal matters and court appearances Medical exams and appointments Police and lawyer interviews Oregon Dept. of Human Services (DHS)* Help victims/survivors to learn about victims and survivors’ rights Access to accompaniment service for emergencies, interviews, legal matters or medical matters Learn about resource available and get referrals Am I a Victim? Crime victim or victim of crime means a person who has suffered physical, sexual, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime. You do not have to be “the” victim as you may experience being victim directly or indirectly, for example, your significant others, children, witness a situation, It can range from simple to complex situations, it does not matter what the level of seriousity of the victim experiences. Once you feel you are a victim, the VOCA Client Advocate is available. Adult Physical Assault Adult Sexual Assault Arson Bullying (verbal, cyber or physical) Burglary Child Physical Abuse or Neglect Child Sexual Abuse/Assault Domestic and/or Family Violence Driving Under Influence (DUI) Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Elder Abuse or Neglect Hate Crime: racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, others Identity Theft, Fraud, Financial Crime Immigration Kidnapping Other Vehicular Victimization Robbery Stalking/Harassment Survivors of Homicide Victims Teen Dating Victimization Violation of a Court Order Based on the list, if you are not sure if you are a victim, you are more than welcome to contact the VOCA Client Advocate. Oregon Dept. of Human Services (DHS) Information & Referral Individual advocacy (assistance in applying for public benefits, etc.) Interview Advocacy/accompaniment (abuse, application, child welfare, foster children, independent living program, senior services, adult with developmental disabilities, long-term and in-home care, investigation, visitation, case proceedings, or support) The following services to be provided by our VOCA Client Advocate are: Information & Referral Information about the criminal justice process Information about victim rights, how to obtain notification, etc. Referral to other victim service programs Referral to other services, supports, and resources (includes legal, medical, faith-based organizations, address confidentiality programs, etc.) Personal Advocacy and Accompaniment Victim advocacy/accompaniment to emergency medical care Victim advocacy/accompaniment to medical forensic exam Law enforcement interview advocacy/accompaniment Individual advocacy (assistance in applying for public benefits, return of personal property or effects) Immigration Assistance (interpreting service) Invention with employer, creditor, landlord, or academic institution Oregon DHS interview advocacy/accompaniment Criminal and Civil Justice System Assistance Notification of criminal justice events (e.g., case status, arrest, court proceedings, case disposition, release, etc) Victim Impact statement assistance Civil legal assistance in obtaining protection or restraining order Civil legal assistance with family law issues (e.g., custody, visitation, or support) Prosecution interview advocacy/accompaniment (includes accompaniment with prosecuting attorney and with victim/witness) Law enforcement interview advocacy/accompaniment Criminal advocacy/accompaniment List of Crimes Adult Physical Assault Adult Sexual Assault Arson Bullying (verbal, cyber or physical) Burglary Child Physical Abuse or Neglect Child Sexual Abuse/Assault Domestic and/or Family Violence Driving Under Influence (DUI) Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Elder Abuse or Neglect Hate Crime: racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, other Identity Theft, Fraud, Financial Crime Immigration Kidnapping Other Vehicular Victimization Robbery Stalking/Harassment Survivors of Homicide Victims Teen Dating Victimization Violation of a Court Order I can…. Go with you to file a restraining order Accompany you to get checked up by a doctor after an assault Assist to understand the paperwork and reports if a crime has occured Connect you to resources as is appropriate Provide support to make appearance in court Be present with you during visitations, investigations, or interviews Ensure you have appropriate accessibility and accommodations that are directly related to your being a victim of crime. Provide coverage of interpreting services on a case-by-case basis I can't... Be a Deaf Interpreter at your appointments If you are not a victim of any crime, but you need help with Tenant and landlord issue ASL translate the letter you received from DHS, Social Security, or any other government entities Lack of accommodation coverage at your appointment Help you with Social Security overpayment issue Help you with your own issues with access at your child’s school We will connect you with appropriate resources that can better assist you on non-victim issues. Service Availability Information & Referrals Personal Advocacy and Accompaniment Criminal and Civil Justice System Assistance Information & Referral Information about the criminal justice process Information about victim rights, how to obtain a notification, etc. Referral to other victim service programs Referral to other services, supports, and resources (includes legal, medical, faith-based organizations, address confidentiality programs, etc.) Personal Advocacy and Accompaniment Victim advocacy/accompaniment to emergency medical care Victim advocacy/accompaniment to a medical forensic exam Law enforcement interview advocacy/accompaniment Individual advocacy (assistance in applying for public benefits, return of personal property or effects) Immigration Assistance (interpreting service) Invention with employer, creditor, landlord, or academic institution Oregon DHS interview advocacy/accompaniment Criminal and Civil Justice System Assistance Notification of criminal justice events (e.g., case status, arrest, court proceedings, case disposition, release, etc) Victim Impact statement assistance Civil legal assistance in obtaining protection or restraining order Civil legal assistance with family law issues (e.g., custody, visitation, or support) Prosecution interview advocacy/accompaniment (includes accompaniment with prosecuting attorney and with victim/witness) Law enforcement interview advocacy/accompaniment Criminal advocacy/accompaniment More to the Service: Safety Plans Your Rights Outreach & Education Survey Bridges Oregon will help victims/survivors whether the police are involved or not, no matter if they want to leave the abuser or not, no matter what. Bridges Oregon will work with victims/survivors as long as they want, until they feel 100% safe. Bridges Oregon’s goal is to communicate to Deaf, DeafBlind, or hard of hearing victims/survivors and their children that they can take control of their lives. Victims/survivors have choices, and the information and assistance they need for empowerment and survival is available to them. Review: Confidentiality ...this service will be available starting in Summer of 2021 in Marion and Polk counties… ...the services we provide will eventually become statewide... Questions and Answers ...to help Bridges Oregon grow... ...Bridges Oregon needs your support! Sammi Weethee VOCA Client Advocate (971) 444-0564 (Text/FaceTime) advocate@bridgesoregon.org Chad A. Ludwig Executive Director chad@bridgesoregon.org Bridges Oregon, Inc PO Box 1112 Salem, OR 97308 (971) 202-1500 (main) info@bridgesoregon.org BridgesOregon.org Follow us! 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