Supportive Services
Case Management/Client Advocacy – Cherokee Family Violence Center’s client advocacy services offer non-judgmental support, validation, encouragement and acknowledgement of strengths to all individuals seeking our services. Advocates are committed to listening, being empathetic and flexible. They acknowledge and respect the right for each individual to design their own journey towards healing. Advocates use a trauma-informed approach to help residents identify their self-sufficiency goals and the necessary resources to achieve those goals as well as provide emotional support and identify strategies to overcome obstacles.
In-Person Crisis Counseling – Advocates provide crisis intervention, including safety planning to individuals living in transitional housing and in the community.
Household Establishment Assistance – Through donations provided by the community, CFVC helps clients that have left their abusive situation reestablish a household with items such as clothing, furniture and household articles. These items are available to all clients, free of charge.
Public Benefits Assistance – Advocates provide awareness of the availability of public benefits such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and related social services. They assist victims in completing the required forms, gathering the needed documentation, and filing for benefits. The assistance may also involve accompanying the victim to the social service agency and making follow-up contact with the social service agency on behalf of the victim.
Advocacy With Other Agencies – Advocates assist victims in securing rights, remedies, and services from other agencies. This may include locating emergency financial assistance, intervening with employers, school administrators, creditors, bill collectors, landlords, and others on behalf of the victim; assisting in filing for public benefits; accompanying a victim to an appointment and speaking on the victim’s behalf.
Transportation Assistance – While residing in our transitional housing, families have access to transportation assistance to appointments, employment and/or educational activities. Residents are asked to call in advance. Residents are responsible for bringing boosters and/or car seats.
12 Week Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Class – These individual and group sessions provide information on recognizing signs of abuse in a relationship, developing a safety plan, accessing resources in the community to become safe, understanding the effects of Domestic Violence on children, and identifying what defines a healthy relationship.
Financial Empowerment Class – CFVC offers the opportunity for victims to meet in small groups to work together toward their financial goals. During our Financial Empowerment Classes, a facilitator begins the meeting by presenting educational material and workbook exercises. The group setting also provides time for survivors to exchange ideas and develop solutions to financial challenges together.
Emergency Financial Assistance – When funds are available, CFVC may be able to help families with emergency financial assistance. We provide emergency financial assistance for needs such as gasoline to get to appointments, court hearings, and other locations.
Low-Cost Medical and Dental Services – For clients without medical insurance, if funds are available, CFVC provides access to low-cost primary health care and services including medications, blood tests, and other non-emergency medical, dental and counseling services.
Individualized Safety Plans – Safety planning is at the heart of the work we do with all victims who have experienced abuse. Each Advocate discusses a client’s individual safety concerns, probes for lethality indicators and informs the client of available resources and support. CFVC acts as a resource for developing safety strategies, but acknowledges that the client is the best resource concerning her own safety. CFVC’s role is to support her in her goals for safety, whether that is to leave her abuser, reunite with him, or to stay in the relationship.
Support Groups – These free groups provide a safe place to talk about feelings and experiences in an atmosphere free of judgment. The groups also provide victims the opportunity to meet and talk with other people who have shared similar experiences. Please call our Hotline (770) 479-1703 for directions and meeting times. There is also children’s support group for children ages 6 and up at the same time. Childcare for ages 5 and under is provided during the groups.