Title
Family Advocacy Center Update - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee with information about the Family Advocacy Center (FAC) and the work accomplished at the FAC in calendar year 2024.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The Family Advocacy Center is operated by the City of Phoenix Human Services Department (HSD) Victim Services Division. It is a comprehensive site which provides direct services to the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, child abuse and neglect, survivors of human trafficking, and persons impacted by a fatal police incident. The site facilitates victim services work through public/private partnerships with other City departments, state and county agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local hospitals.
Family Advocacy clients aged 17 and under (and their families) receive services through a contract with Childhelp USA, in collaboration with the Phoenix Police Department Family Investigations Bureau’s Crimes Against Children Unit.
Clients 18 years old and above receive services from the City’s Victim Services Division staff in collaboration with the Domestic Violence Unit and Sexual Assault Unit of the Family Investigations Bureau.
Services Provided
Clients generally receive more than one type of service. Services include:
- Crisis intervention.
- Safety planning.
- Forensic medical examinations.
- Assistance with obtaining protective court orders.
- Obtaining shelter.
- Transportation assistance.
- Address confidentiality.
- Termination of leases.
HSD Victim Services Division also assist family members impacted by a fatal police incidents by assisting with services such as:
- Facilitating the release of non-evidential property.
- Contact with a medical examiner.
- Facilitating case updates.
2024 Key Statistics
- HSD Victim Services Division served 2,888 people and provided 15,771 services.
- Childhelp USA served 4,289 children (70 percent of cases the abuser was a family member; 71 percent of cases were for sexual abuse)
Funding Sources
The general fund accounts for approximately two-thirds of the Victim Services Division Budget and approximately one-third of the budget comes from grants. The grant funding restricts the work of some Victim Advocates to situations where there is a statutory victim or secondary victim of one of the crime types noted.
The presentation will include service details, partnerships, and key statistics of the Family Advocacy Center.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and Human Services Department.