DATE:
April 26, 2022
02
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
EXPANDING CAPACITY FOR TRAUMA RECOVERY SERVICES IN SOUTH COUNTY AND DEVELOPING FUTURE SOUTH COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER: IMPROVING SERVICES FOR CRIME PREVENTION, INTERVENTION AND VICTIM-SURVIVOR CARE THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE TRAUMA-FOCUSED SERVICES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
According to a January 2020 report from the National Alliance of Trauma Recovery Centers, only about one in ten people who survive a violent crime receive direct assistance from a victim service agency. This number drops even lower when the crime is unreported-more than half of all violent crimes go unreported. Unaddressed trauma can lead to chronic emotional distress, relationship problems, and self-medicating through increased alcohol or drug use. Untreated trauma affects the survivor, their family, and the larger community and often intersects with criminal conduct and victimizations. Children who witness or experience child abuse, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, or human trafficking accumulate a challenging Adverse Childhood Experiences score (ACEs) that contributes to generational cycles of poverty and violence. Our most vulnerable and underserved survivors, especially those with culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, face the biggest challenges in seeking and getting support.
On September 29, 2015 (11), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the lease agreement for the District Attorney's Community, Action, Resource, Engagement (CARE) Center, established with the intention of collaborating with residents, community groups and other government agencies in the development of crime prevention problem-solving initiatives. The CARE Center opened in 2016 in partnership with community stakeholders who provided insight into community needs. The CARE Center provides culturally competent services and partners with community organizations that provide services to low income and underserved populations...
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