1. Misty Thomas, Director

2. Staff Misty Thomas, Director Karen RedOwl, DV Program Coordinator
Lorene Thomas, Victim Advocate
Bernadette Whipple, AmeriCorps Member

3. Why we needed a Shelter We live in the middle of nowhere!
In order to go to a safe house, victims would have to leave their home, jobs, schools, etc…
The closest shelters are Lake Andes, O’neill, Norfolk
So, it was either stay in the violent situation or uproot their families

4. Making a Dream a Reality
September 20, 2011

7. Otokahe Teca Tipi

8. Funding Sources
Grants to Indian Tribal Governments (GTITG) – Office of Violence Against Women
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)
State Domestic Violence Grant

9. Services Provided
Legal and Court Advocacy - Partnership with Nebraska Legal Aide
Transportation
Assistance with Protection/Harassment Orders
Emergency Shelter
Community Resource Referral
Safety Plan Development
Supportive and Safe Environ-ment
Phone Cards
Gas Vouchers
Food and Clothing
Limited Financial Assistance
Educational Presentations
Woman’s Support Group Every Wednesday Night from 4:30 -7:30 p.m. Providing Child care, Transportation, and a meal

10. Batterer’s Intervention Program
Facilitators: Doug Widow, Nate Houlett (HEART Program)
Time: Tuesdays at 5 pm
Where: At DTSU
Doug’s Additional Services: Weekly Sweats, One on One Culturally Guided Counseling, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Horse Program Services Group and Individual sessions

11. Coalitions
Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains
Nebraska Tribal Coalition Ending Family Violence

12. Annual Awareness Events
Annual DV Awareness Week and Walk in October
Working in the school with Teen Violence Prevention
Annual Community Health Fair
University of Nebraska Medical Center Students
Community Education Trainings – for law enforcement and other service prov

13. Awareness Week Photos

14. Ohiya Casino Support for DV Awareness

15. DV Awareness Walk

16. Successes Keeping the Doors Open
Since we opened, we have only had about 3 or 4 days of a break with no clients in the shelter
Collaborative partnership with Jill Finken ,Assistant Special US Attorney, that is now able to also prosecute in Tribal Court
Collaborative Partnership with Nebraska Legal Aide

17. Challenges Funding Cuts Staff working long hours, burn out
Policies and Procedures
Issues with LE and Tribal Court – 72 hour hold, plead down to 3rd Degree Assault
The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Welfare
Issues with Clients
Mental health, drug and alcohol issues, parenting, CPS

18. Challenges continued HOUSING! Employment Transportation
New Challenges everyday of how to handle client/staff issues

19. Future Needs More Staff Cameras/Surveillance System
Family Support Worker
Cameras/Surveillance System
Better Developed Policies and Procedures

20. Contact Us Misty Thomas m.thomas@ssn-dakota.org
Karen Redowl
Lorene Thomas
DTSU #
Otokahe Teca #
Follow us on Facebook