Disability Abuse/Assault Response Team (DART)

Contact:

Lizzi McNeff      (503-725-4160); mcneff@pdx.edu
Laurie Powers   (503-725-9605); powersl@pdx.edu

DART coordinates advocacy, co-advocacy, crime victim and independent living services for crime victims with disabilities.

The DART Project (Disability Assault/Abuse Response Team) will – for the first time - provide comprehensive victim services for people with disabilities in the Portland Tri-County area who are victims of crime.

The VOCA grant will fund a pilot project to serve crime victims with disabilities. Although all persons with disabilities who are victims of crime in the Portland Tri-County area will be eligible for service, during this early phase outreach will focus on those living in East Multnomah County and those with a hearing disability.

The overall goal will be to increase the access of victims with disabilities to personal safety, a broad range of services and support in working through the criminal justice system.

DART advocates will provide direct services to people with disabilities at various sites, including Independent Living Resources office, the DA’s Offices, and an outstationed office at Chestnut Lane Assisted Living. Direct services will include:

   * Advocacy within the criminal justice system
   * Peer counseling and support
         - Information, referral and advocacy within social service and benefit systems
         - Victim support groups
   * Independent living skills training
         - Safety awareness and crime awareness classes
         - Workshops on managing caregiver relationships and preventing/dealing with abuse from caregivers

Volunteers will be used to conduct outreach to people with disabilities who may be, or may become, victims of crime. In addition, volunteers will be used to mentor, to co-facilitate support groups and to assist instructors.

We will be working in partnership with police departments, district attorneys’ offices, domestic violence programs and ILR’s nonprofit partners providing education, services and benefits. We will receive referrals from these partners of victims needing services and we will refer to these partners for services for victims. Training for staff and volunteers will be open to our partners as well.