Empowerhouse

Project: Helping Women in High Danger Situations through Lethality Assessment Protocol 

Requested Amount: $50,000

Project Description:

Our project addresses the urgent need to identify victims of domestic violence (DV), primarily women, who are in imminent danger and provide them with immediate lifesaving assistance from Empowerhouse’s trained advocates while Stafford law enforcement are onsite. 

“Helping Women in High Danger Situations with our Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP)” will build on the successful program between Empowerhouse and the Stafford Sheriff’s Office to identify high-risk victims in their homes during law enforcement response and immediately connect victims to one number answered by a dedicated Empowerhouse advocate using new cell phones and technology.  

Since its launch, partially funded by a generous Community Relief Fund grant, LAP has been a valuable resource. Establishing an immediate connection with the DV survivor in her home opens a support system that victims otherwise may be unaware of and makes them likely to use services that allow safe escape for them and their children. 

As of December 31, preliminary data from the pilot program reveals 234 assessments completed by Stafford deputies responding to DV calls. Of these,135 were assessed as high danger and/or officer concerns. 113 survivors were connected to Empowerhouse with over 70 accepting follow-up services. Over 85% of those receiving follow-up services had never heard of Empowerhouse. These are critical, lifesaving connections. 75% of the high-risk victims had been strangled by their intimate partner. 68% of them had experienced stalking from their partner.  

Our goal is to reach to more DV survivors in Stafford County in high-danger situations and prevent them from further harm or death. During the one-year project period, we estimate that at least 280 survivors will be screened by law enforcement using the LAP. We will also connect with at least 140 DV survivors identified as high-risk, including additional follow-up and assistance for at least 80 of these survivors. Based on the pilot numbers, we project that at least 70 of these survivors will be connected to Empowerhouse’s services for the first time.   

The project will further enhance our partnership with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office as we continue our groundbreaking work in Stafford. It also lays the foundation for replication in other service areas. 

Of Empowerhouse’s 17 highly trained advocates who lead the Lethality Assessment Protocol response on rotation, 16 are women. 32 of our Stafford law enforcement partners, over 15%, are female officers. The DV survivors who benefit from the LAP are predominately women. 

Rappahannock Area Health District

Project: Every Woman’s Life

Requested Amount: $50,000

Project Description:

Every Woman’s Life (EWL) seeks to obtain funding for a dedicated community outreach worker. The outreach worker in this position educates and motivates women through one-on-one sessions in various community settings, reaching more women and encouraging them to come into the EWL program for needed screenings. When an outreach worker is employed at RAHD, we see an increase in the volume of screenings, compliance with testing, and general inquiries regarding access to healthcare services.  

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.  Among Hispanic women, it is the leading cause of cancer death.  Cervical cancer screening is one of the greatest cancer prevention achievements.  Despite this, 8 in 100,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in their lifetime, and approximately 4000 women die yearly.  Low-income, uninsured women and ethnic/racial minority groups are less likely to be screened for these cancers.  The result is a delay in diagnosis and higher death rates.  In Virginia, the data for  PD 16 mirrors these health disparities. 

Every Woman’s Life (EWL) is a national CDC program that RAHD has offered for 22 years. EWL provides low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women access to timely, high-quality screening and diagnostic services to detect breast and cervical cancer at the earliest stages. Women who are between the ages of 18 to 64 and meet eligibility requirements are screened. The priority populations served are the minority and economically disadvantaged women. 

The community health worker’s outreach activities include participation in health fairs, networking with community organizations, providing education to groups, and one-on-one mentoring. Educational tools, brochures, and follow-up contact after initial encounters are used to reinforce outreach activities. 

The women leading this program at RAHD are Arlene Harris and Michelle Clayton. Michelle is the Senior Nurse Coordinator for the EWL program in RAHD. She will be leading this program along with Arlen Trujillo, our community health outreach worker. Michelle has served the Rappahannock Health District’s community since 2015, managing the breast and cervical cancer program for early screening and treatment. 

The priority populations served are the minority and economically disadvantaged women. The EWL program has the potential to reach as many as 20,000 uninsured eligible women. The community outreach worker attends health fairs and other events in PD 16 to disseminate literature about the benefits of the EWL Program and breast and cervical cancer screening.