TPN's Economic Justice Program

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Turning Points Network (TPN) will use their FY 2009 Congressionally Selected award to establish an Economic Independence and Self-Sufficiency Program (EISSP) to support domestic violence survivors in achieving economic independence. This project will reduce the number of survivors that are unemployed, underemployed, and accessing local and state welfare; increase employment, job training, and mentorship opportunities for 20 survivors over 24 months; and increase the educational/skill levels for 10 survivors to obtain and keep gainful employment. TPN will provide financial planning and budgeting to survivors; identify and connect them with employment, job training, and mentorship opportunities; link them to community resources; educate local employers and agency leaders about the issue of domestic violence and opportunities to collaborate; and engage community assets/resources in the EISSP 'Circle of Friends' model to provide support and mentor survivors over two years.

NCA/NCF