Spanish Language Outreach

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 Crisis Center of Northern New Mexico (CCNNM) will use the FY09 Congressionally Selected Awards funding to conduct a two-year domestic violence prevention and public education media and outreach campaign to reduce the rate of domestic violence in Northern New Mexico. The campaign will focus on reaching women as well as educating families on how children are affected by violence. The campaign will leverage media, outreach and a bilingual 24-hour crisis hotline to inform, educate and motivate Hispanic victims and perpetrators to avoid violence and find resources. The target population is the Hispanic community. The objectives are: a)conduct an in-depth community assessment of domestic violence perception and awareness of the Hispanic community; b)localized a media campaign that leverages the strength of Hispanic culture and effectively utilize the mediums of television, radio, print, and online media; c)heightened awareness and dialogue within the Hispanic community about the reality of domestic violence and the navigation of positive alternatives; d)research Information and Referral networks that engages individual Hispanic callers; and e) etail project evaluation measures that can provide guidance and leadership for more effective systems aiding Hispanics in spotting early signs of domestic violence and accessing resources.

NCA/NCF