Program areas at Women in Distress of Broward County
Outreach services - the primary purpose of the program is to provide victims of domestic violence and their dependents with support counseling on the dynamics of domestic violence, crisis counseling, and engaging in other supportive activities as appropriate. Domestic violence victims are also provided case management, referrals, documentation of abuser patterns and safety plans. Outreach services are also available on a limited basis at satellite offices and partner agencies. Respite services are available to supervise children while the parent/guardian is receiving services.
Prevention and education services - wid maintains ongoing outreach efforts to educate Broward County's residents about the dynamics, definitions, and impact of intimate partner violence in the community and the people they serve. Wid provides prevention, education and awareness to youth and adults so they may better understand how bullying and intimate partner violence perpetuate themselves, the effects on family members, school community and society, intervention and prevention methods, and the programs and services available at wid.training and prevention are provided to help youth and community members recognize the warning signs of intimate partner violence and understand its impact on families and society. Creating change among attitudes, beliefs and behaviors surrounding intimate partner violence is critical so the community can appropriately refer victims for assistance and increase the possibility of early intervention and prevention. Training is also provided to participants through the ultimate training center on topics such as job readiness, financial literacy, budgeting, interviewing and presentation skills and use of technology and office software packages.
Residential services - the program's purpose is to provide safe temporary emergency housing for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. The emergency shelter has a capacity of up to 138 beds. Supportive services are also available at the shelter, including individual and group counseling sessions on the dynamics of domestic violence, advocacy, crisis counseling and referrals. in addition, the program also provides food, clothing, childcare assistance, and other services. Respite services are available to supervise children while the parent/guardian is receiving services. Family outings and activities are also offered occasionally. Services are obtained through the 24-hour crisis line.
Crisis hotline - the purpose of the crisis hotline is to be a ready and available source of information and support to victims of domestic violence and to the community. The crisis hotline is operational 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Since december 2014, the 24-hour crisis hotline has been expanded to become a separate program housed in its own space at the jim and jan moran family center. All the services that are available through wid's advocacy program are available on the hotline through its dedicated crisis line staff and include safety planning and service management as well as information. Referrals are also made to other organizations such as homeless programs, mental health, health, jobs and other benefits that may be available to callers who are not survivors of domestic violence but call wid's crisis hotline for information and as a resource.
Injunction for protection ("ifp") - wid's ifp program provides legal counsel for survivors wishing to pursue or secure an injunction for protection against their batterer. The legal services include counsel before the injunction is filed, filing of the petition and representation during final/violation hearings. All legal services through this program are free of cost and are open to those being serviced through residential services and outreach services as well as survivors who may not be currently registered with wid. The ifp program is funded through a collaboration of the Florida department of children and families and the office of the attorney general.statewide services - as of 2021, wid was also awarded the primary contract (in conjunction with twoother centers) to administer the domestic violence statewide services to include the floridadomestic violence hotline, statewide language interpreter services, training and technical assistance,and the larger injunction for protection program.
Thrift store - the purpose is to provide additional revenues to support core operations for wid and provide clothing and household items to program participants. Donated goods and merchandise are sold to the public and proceeds are used in the daily operation of wid. Program participants are also provided clothing, furniture and household items from the store free of charge.