Since 2006, the collaborative partnership established at the Family Safety Center (FSC), has provided protection, hope and healing to nearly 12,000 victims and their families, and more than 18,500 services.
The multi-disciplinary partners have collaborated at the Family Safety Center (FSC) to achieve best practices in family safety with respect and support for the dignity, autonomy, privacy and choices of the individuals seeking safety and services. They work together to ensure an effective, economical and efficient community response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. During 2012, the Family Safety Center (FSC) staff and partners located on site saw 2,349 clients that requested assistance with domestic violence-related issues. In 2013, the FSC saw 2,112 clients and so far in 2014, the FSC has seen 2,223 clients. 86.9% of FSC’s clients are female, and 68.4% are betrween the ages of 25 and 59. 100% of clients visiting the FSC for domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking received safety planning assistance respecting the autonomy and choices of the individuals in implementing all or parts of the plan.
The Family Safety Center received funds from a Community Development Block Grant/HUD in the amount of $687,000, that leveraged private donations to complete a $1 million project to relocate to an 11,000 square foot facility located at 600 Civic Center in 2013. The City of Tulsa provided general contractor services for the facility, while the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department performed all demolition and some priming and painting. In FY 2013-14 the Family Safety Center will receive $155,000 from the City of Tulsa’s general fund to boost public safety. The City of Tulsa and FSC partners also received from the Department of Justice a $650,000 GTEA grant (Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protective Orders) to fund their high-risk, high-lethality team for two years.
FSC and its partners have institutionalized a Fatality Case Review for system process analysis and continual program improvement in dealing with selected high risk/high lethality resulting in proactive system change in delivery of protective orders and notification to victims and the courts of service.
The Family Safety Center’s services are made possible by the collaboration with on-site partner agencies including DVIS/Call Rape, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Office of the District Attorney, RSVP of Tulsa, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, Tulsa Police Department Family Violence and Forensic Nursing Units, and the YWCA.
Following a series of meetings in late 2011 and early 2012, the FSC incorporated as a stand alone not for profit Oklahoma corporation in March, and received 501 C-3 IRS designation as a not for profit public charity in April. This allows the FSC partnership to accept direct donations from other not for profits, foundations, individuals and corporations, as well as contract directly for government grants. The FSC agency staff of 3 administers the daily business of the collaborative service provider partners onsite, operates and manages the facility, raises funds and provides community outreach, and coordinates and facilitates the collaborative partnership as a whole.