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Residential Program
Therapeutic Services | Residential Program Objectives
The Women's Center of Rhode Island's theory of intervention is to provide
a comprehensive, multi-faceted residential program that addresses the
individual needs of our clients. The Residential Services Program provides
shelter to women and children that are victims of domestic violence but
its strength is in its advocacy, case management and therapeutic services
offered to all women and children affected by domestic violence.
Shelter
Located in an urban setting, the WCRI is accessible by public transportation
and is in close proximity to schools, healthcare centers, a recreation
center, parks and a library. The shelter is wheelchair accessible, with
elevator access to all four floors. It has 13 bedrooms accommodating 40
beds, 14 bathrooms, a common-use lounge per floor, 2 licensed kitchens,
a patio/courtyard, a childcare center and playground. The WCRI encourages
women to carry on normal activities as long as immediate safety is not
compromised. Each client is provided with a 911-programmed cell phone.
Each
family has their own room and our facility has ample space available for
group meetings. In general, as a woman and her children enter the program,
they receive basic needs including shelter, food and clothing. After a
period of adjustment, each client meets with a Residential Advocate who
focuses on the individual needs of the resident and develops a care plan
that includes client-defined needs, goals and objectives.
Residential Advocacy and Case Management
Once the client is stabilized, they meet with a Residential Advocate who provides case management and assistance with the development of a transitional plan which addresses the client’s housing, legal, and medical needs as well as literacy and education, job training and employment needs and child/parenting education if applicable. The goal is to help the resident define their own plan in becoming self sufficient including planning and budgeting for the future.
In concert with the client, Residential Advocates coordinate with community services to help each family identify and attain their self-defined, individual goals. The WCRI utilizes community resources in all areas, and is part of a referral network with over 30 agencies. As part of our support services, each woman is encouraged to attend the five group sessions offered per week including parenting, domestic violence education, transitional planning, and the weekly house meeting. In addition, the client meets weekly with their Residential Advocate to review and refine their plan for independence.
The WCRI provides women with voicemail boxes for anonymity and privacy when applying for housing or job opportunities in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with shelters. Computer resources are provided, aiding women in their job search or education application.
Child Advocate
A Child Advocate meets with each mother to set goals and develop an individual plan for her children regarding emotional, medical, educational and social needs. The Child Advocate facilitates the individual plans by coordinating the efficient use of resources and partnerships while providing support, validation and active listening.
The
Child Advocate works collaboratively with other programs/agencies such
as Women-Infant-Children (WIC) at Providence Community Health Center (Fox
Point), Family Services, Head Start at Friendship Center, Providence Center
(Early Childhood Institute), Family Independence Program (FIP), Providence
Liaison, RISD Children’s Program for Community Outreach, YMCA, Boys
and Girls Club, Aikido (Downtown), dental services, health services, and
psychological services. Additionally, the Child Advocate will provide
a liaison relationship between mothers, children, therapists, school departments,
health agencies, day care programs, DCYF, and others.
The
Child Advocate conducts creative play sessions with the children in groups
and also works with the mothers and children on an individual basis. Additionally,
parenting skills group sessions are conducted weekly. Emphasis is placed
on helping mothers interact with their children using non-violent methods
of expression.
Click here for more information on the Children's Enrichment Program.
Therapeutic Services
A clinical counselor meets with each resident, in individual and group counseling sessions, to deal with trauma and emotional needs. For women who already have a counselor in the community, especially for substance abuse and mental health, a release is obtained so that the Residential Staff can coordinate services as necessary.
Residential Program Objectives
The following are the objectives of the Women’s Center of Rhode Island’s Residential Services Program:
- Alleviate immediate crisis associated with domestic violence or personal crisis by fulfilling basic human needs.
- Break the cycle of domestic violence by empowering women to achieve a new life without violence. Through case management and advocacy, each client develops an individualized plan with self-defined goals and objectives. By encouraging the clients to define their needs, they are more likely to engage in solving the problem. Case management facilitates the linkage of clients to appropriate resources and counseling addresses areas such as housing needs, legal and medical referrals, literacy and education, job training and employment, planning and budgeting.
- Increasing efficient use of information and resources through a referral network of well over 30 agencies for services such as housing, income, children’s issues, mental health, substance abuse, literacy, and legal services.
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Decrease the use of more costly resources such as police, hospitals and emergency rooms. By addressing not only the immediate crisis created by domestic violence, but also facilitating change by empowering the victim, the WCRI works towards not only its mission but its vision of “a world where all people are safe from violence and personal safety is considered a fundamental right, and interpersonal safety is more highly valued than power and control over others.
