Family Violence Coordinating Council (FVCC)

---------------  COVID-19 Service Changes ---------------

If you or someone you know needs help, there are resources and people to help. Please see below and refer to the RESOURCES section

• Family Shelter Service of Metropolitan Family Services is providing in-person assistance and services, adhering to safety guidelines. They can help four clients at a time with emergency orders of protection. There is limited space in the waiting room due to social distancing. If the staff in the office are busy, and no public computers are available in the waiting room, you may be asked to use computers in the Clerk's Office or return at a later time. Petitioners can also start the process ahead of time on their own, from any remote location, by accessing the website at www.illinoisprotectionorder.org. This will reduce your wait time in person. Court advocates are accompanying clients to their return hearings daily. 
  Family Shelter Service continues to provide emergency shelter for DV victims and their children. Our 24 hr. Hotline 630-469-5650 is always available and we are meeting with clients via phone, virtually, and in person to provide counseling sessions.
• YWCA Metropolitan Chicago: Due to COVID-19, we are limiting access to our YWCA locations, suspending some programs and services and making other service delivery adjustment. General and Sexual Assault Support Services Counseling services continue to be offered remotely via teleconference and virtual visits.
  The Rape Crisis Hotline 630-971-3927 continues to operate 24 hours a day. In-person advocacy is on a case-by-case basis and can be determined when calling the Rape Crisis Hotline.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline:  800-799-SAFE (7233)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline:  800-656-HOPE (4673)
• Elder Abuse Hotline:  866-800-1409

Goal

To contribute to the improvement of the family violence legal system and the administration of justice.

The 18^th Judicial FVCC serves DuPage County and is led by Chair the Honorable Judge Ann Celine Walsh.

The FVCC provides a forum to share and discuss information to promote a coordinated response to family violence in our county and to improve the justice system’s institutional, professional and community response to intimate partner abuse, child abuse, teen dating violence and persons with disabilities and older adult abuse. The work by multiple committees focuses around 3 pillars:

• Systems change – for needed policy change
• Professional training and education – focusing on law enforcement and criminal justice personnel
• Community awareness – educating the public

Background

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois convened the Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Council (IFVCC) in 1993 to address child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse. It is the only judicially led family violence organization in the country that operates at both the local and state levels. Judges convene and chair the local councils and the state council.

Local councils emphasize prevention through strengthened services, comprehensive systems, coordination, protocol development, public education, professional training and information exchange. Members are policy-level and practitioner decision makers representing the many systems that interact with family violence victims and perpetrators.

Accomplishments

• Created and distributed the 18^th Judicial Circuit Court Family Violence Roll Call training video to all DuPage County police departments
• Provided family violence training for DuPage County court personnel and EMS personnel
• Presented the “Talking About Stalking” and "Talking About Stalking 2.0 Cyberstalking and Internet Safety" community awareness events in partnership with Benedictine University and many county departments and community organizations
• Provided family violence - persons with disabilities/older adults protocol (PWDA/OA)  and domestic violence protocol workshops for law enforcement, prosecutors and victim advocates
• Offered the "Vicarious Trauma in the Work Environment: Strategies for Resilience" training workshop for direct service providers who work with trauma survivors and/or challenging circumstances, in partnership with the 18th Judicial Circuit Court Probation and Court Services Department
• Provided "Strangulation: The Final Warning" training workshop to criminal justice professionals to help them save lives and improve their response to strangulation crimes - the most lethal and serious cases in the context of domestic violence and sexual assault

Resources

The following community resources are available to the family violence survivors in DuPage County. These services are free and confidential. 

Adult Protective Services(APS)

Provides services to any person 60 years of age or older or a person with a disability between the ages of 18-59 who cannot report for themselves because of a disability, impairment or any other conditions. 

They investigate suspected physical, emotional and sexual abuse; neglect and financial exploitation and assists with orders of protection, police reports and court proceedings.

24 HOUR HOTLINE:  866-800-1409

DuPage County Family Center

Provides a safe place for exchange of children and court-ordered parenting time. They work with families to help maintain safe relationships between parents and children. 

630-407-2450

Family Shelter Service of Metropolitan Family Services DuPage (FSS OF MFSD)

Offers a 24-hour hotline, adult and child, individual and group counseling, emergency shelter, case management, assistance with orders of protection, outreach after contact with police, community advocacy and prevention education. Orders of protection can be filed online at: www.illinoisprotectionorder.org

24 HOUR HOTLINE:  630-469-5650

Young Women's Christian Assocation (YWCA)

Offers in-person advocacy services and crisis intervention services for survivors of sexual violence throughout medical, police and court proceedings. Provides prevention education and trainings for schools and businesses and has a confidential 24/7 hotline, as well as case management, short-term, long-term and group counseling services available or ages 3+ in English and Spanish. Confidential advising and Title IX assistance is available for college students. 

24 HOUR HOTLINE: 630-971-3927 

Youth Services

Provides services for youth (ages 10-17) who have run away or been locked out by a parent; 24/7 crisis intervention (MRAI) is available. Services in DuPage county are split between the following agencies: 

• 360 Youth Services serves Aurora, Bolingbrook, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville Westmont and Woodridge - provides emergency stabilization, follow-up counseling and supportive services for youth who are at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems.
  • 630-419-0744- MRAI crisis calls 
  • 630-717-9408, ext. 1180 – daytime services 

• Northeast DuPage Family and Youth Services serves Addison, Bensenville, Burr Ridge, Elmhurst, Hanover Park, Hinsdale, Itasca, Lemont, Lombard, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park and Wood Dale - provides mental health counseling, case management and follow-up on all domestic violence calls to police.
  • 630-543-3080 – MRAI crisis calls 
  • 630-693-7934 –daytime services 

• Wheaton Youth Outreach serves Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Warrenville, Wayne, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield  - provides transitional housing, counseling and case management.
  • 630-880-8794 – MRAI crisis calls
  • 630-682-1910 – daytime services