Community Voices
Highlighting voices of experience in the community.
East Division Crime
Victim Services, Congreso
The Crime Victim Services of the East Division offers client centered, trauma-informed services to members of the community who have experienced a crime. One service provided is assistance in receiving compensation for expenses incurred due to their victimization. The chart below displays the amount and awards that community members have received in the program’s first year. This program is offered on site at Congreso and in the community.
EDCVA assisted an immigrant, Spanish-speaking client who had received an ambulance bill of $970 and had missed several days of work after a physical assault. The client was unaware of Victim's Compensation and was happy to hear that qualifying was possible. We assisted the client with filling out the application and have been in communication with VCAP to provide ongoing support to the client regarding their application status. This client was able to recoup the medical expenses and lost wages and was very grateful for the support.
A domestic violence advocate was able to assist a domestic violence survivor who was living in a shelter and has a child with special needs. The client came to the LDVP seeking assistance with language advocacy as their transition date was soon approaching and the client remained at high risk, without a safety plan. LDVP was able to assist the client with advocating for a shelter extension, referring the client to a case management program for families with special healthcare needs and to adult counseling services, and with rental assistance. The client was able to secure safe housing before the client's discharge date from the shelter.
Center for the Urban Child,
St. Christopher’s Hospital
The Center for the Urban Child is a primary care facility that provides comprehensive well care and treatment for acute and chronic illnesses for children 0-21 years of age. Beyond primary care, the center provides preventive care (screenings and immunizations), parenting advice and classes, as well as behavioral and developmental counseling. Through appointments with social workers, patients are connected with a number of community, developmental and behavioral, domestic violence, food, and legal resources to help accommodate their needs.
Jodi Schaffer and Darin Toliver,
social workers at the
Center for the Urban Child
In particular, social workers at the Center for the Urban Child often encounter a wide variety of patients. In addition to treating patients’ physical health, social workers provide counseling and other resources for those experiencing domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or the grief of losing a loved one to violence. Furthermore, the Center for the Urban Child has a Medical Legal Partnership with the Legal Clinic for the Disabled called PhilaKids. Through this partnership, eligible patients receive free legal services for issues including domestic violence, child custody, immigration, social security and other benefits. In the past fiscal year (FY16, July 2015 to June 2016), the Center for the Urban Child provided direct services and referrals to 1,007 patients.
For those experiencing domestic or interpersonal violence, the Center for the Urban Child provides counseling at the center and refers patients out to several organizations including the Center for Behavioral Health. The Center for the Urban Child has partnerships with Families of Murder Victims (providing support groups for the family members of those lost to violence), Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia, Healing Hurt People, the Office of the Safe Advocate (for bullying resources), and more. The center serves as a useful link to community services and resources.
Live Voices
Highlighting voices of experience in the community through social media.