The intersecting conditions created by the COVID-19 public health crisis have created increased barriers for survivors reaching out for help. Organizational capacities and resources that support domestic violence survivors have been strained by pandemic conditions at a time when the county is seeing an increase in domestic violence calls. National Domestic Violence Hotline data reveals there was a 13 percent increase in domestic violence calls in July 2021 compared to January 2020 in King County.
Robust survivor-centered advocacy is an evidenced-based and important part of the framework of support available to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in our region. People experiencing domestic and sexual violence are best served by advocates who are trained in and familiar with providing the most current and effective practices and resources.
The VSHSL Survivor-Centered Mobile Advocacy strategy currently funds an existing network of community-based organizations in King County to create and operate mobile advocacy services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. These support systems provide services and resources developed to help survivors improve their personal safety, health and stability. Programming is provided at the survivor’s geographic location and operates in a manner that considers and respects cultural differences.
A new funding opportunity is available from the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) to fund community-based programs and/or tribes to provide survivor-centered mobile advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
As our region confronts the increasing need for gender-based violence services, this RFP seeks to fund community-based organizations and/or tribes in King County to provide a tailored combination of services and resources to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence support and improve their self-determination, safety, health and stability.
Funded providers will join an existing cohort of providers under the mobile advocacy strategy. This funding is intended to compliment, bolster and/or expand the reach of current mobile advocacy providers funded through the VSHSL.
Funding for Survivor-Centered Mobile Advocacy
The Survivor-Centered Mobile Advocacy for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to allocate VSHSL funds to support survivors of gender-based violence and honor their self-determination, agency and safety.
Successful applicants must demonstrate that their projects:
- Have established experience working with survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence
- Will work with, or demonstrate a willingness to build the capacity to work with, program participants throughout King County
- Have the ability to effectively deploy financial support for client costs, such as flexible financial assistance, to survivors
- Will provide information and services that are linguistically and culturally-appropriate and low-barrier.
Application details
Available funding: Up to $727,448 in VSHSL funds
Investment period: July 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023 (subject to change)
Questions: Contact Allison Jurkovich at ajurkovich@kingcounty.com
Applications due: June 6, 2022 by 5pm
Join us for more information
May 13, 2022 | 10:00 – 11:00 am
Join by Zoom:
https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/89544528533
Meeting ID: 895 4452 8533
Join by phone:
253-215-8782 or 877-853-5247 (Toll Free)
Meeting ID: 895 4452 8533
This will be a remote session with speech to text captioning provided. For accommodations to participate, please contact Allison Jurkovich by May 11.
The Bidders Conference session will be recorded and posted at https://kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/initiatives/levy/funding.aspx
For more information and to apply visit: https://www.zoomgrants.com/zgf/VSHSLmobileadvocacy
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