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Victim Services Committee
The Victim Services Committee, chaired by Family Justice Center Director Tom Manion, is focused on assessing current programs, systems, and procedures related to domestic violence victim services, especially those collaborative services available at the Montgomery County Family Justice Center (FJC) that keep victims safe, hold offenders accountable and break down barriers to long-term sustainability. The Committee has been collaborating actively with Montgomery County FJC allied agencies, the Montgomery County FJC Foundation, and other stakeholders to identify potential gaps in these efforts and/or areas of improvement. When necessary and appropriate, the Committee also seeks funding to offset the costs of any proposed recommendations. Furthermore, the Committee is focused on developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships to ensure that survivors in the community receive the best possible services at such a critical time. Current initiatives include:
- SafeKeep Program: A program for victims to safely temporarily house their pets with the Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center while they secure more permanent housing.
- SafeStart Camp: A summer camp for children enrolled in SafeStart (a therapy program for children who witness domestic violence in the home). Due to COVID-19, the camp was held virtually with success.
- Legal Services: The committee is working on expanding a network of legal services to ensure that every survivor has legal representation free of charge.