CARDV Agency Spotlight
Coalition Against Rape & Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 786, Fulton, MO 65251
Office: 573-642-1418
Fax: 573-642-1418
24-Hr Crisis Line: 1-866-642-4422 or 573-642-4422
CARDV (Coalition Against Rape and Domestic Violence) is a non-profit organization which was established in 1994 to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
CARDV is a non-residential program; using motel/hotel placement for victims needing emergency shelter as well as working with Fulton Housing Authority and other local housing resources to assist victims in finding a permanent residence. We have found this non-residential model works well for our community and allows more time and resources on an individual basis.
CARDV staff currently includes 7 full-time and 3 part-time employees as well as 4 additional contracted positions. The services provided are: crisis intervention, case management, hotel/motel emergency shelter, emotional support, court advocacy, emergency room advocacy, counseling, support groups, referrals and prevention education. CARDV has an Equal Access Program which provides services to underserved populations which include, but not limited to: the Deaf Community, individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), and the physically and mentally disabled.
In the past year CARDV has expanded services to include on-site counseling services; using counseling theories specifically designed for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. We have also initiated a Youth Therapy Project in collaboration with Dr. Kim Anderson who is a professor at the University of Missouri. Dr Anderson has done much research regarding trauma-focused therapy for victims who have experienced the trauma of domestic violence as adults as well as children who have witnessed domestic violence in their home. This project does not only provide trauma focused therapy for children between the ages of 10-17, but will be researched based to measure the effectiveness of such therapy for children.
In January 2010 CARDV initiated a Coordinated Community Response Team. The CCRTeam was created out of the need to enhance collaboration and communication with the criminal justice system and other agencies working with victims of domestic abuse and sexual assaults. The goal of this team is to establish a uniform, comprehensive response to victims of these crimes in our community. The CCRTeam is comprised of: Circuit Clerk, Prosecuting Attorney, two Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys, two Police Chiefs, The Sheriff, Director of the Community Hospital, Probation and Parole Supervisor and CARDV staff members.
CARDV has an active Volunteer Program. All volunteers must receive a 48-hour training prior to providing any direct services to victims, although there are many volunteer opportunities which do not include direct service. In 2010 volunteers provided 3,574 hours of service with an average of 26 volunteers donating their time each month.
There has been a significant increase in individuals accessing our services. From January through July of 2009: 353 individuals accessed our services; in 2010 in the same time period 617 and then in 2011 for the same time period: 720 individuals have access our services. This gives an increase of 49% just in the last two years.
The adjoining property was purchased in January 2011; which included a house which has been transformed into counseling offices, additional office space for other CARDV staff and an office for the Domestic Violence Investigator.