Enhancement to StrongHearts Native Helpline

The purpose of this award, funded under the OVC FY 2019 Advancing the Use of Technology to Assist Victims of Crime solicitation, is to support organizations that demonstrate innovative strategies to create, expand, or enhance the use of technology initiatives on a national scale or that can be replicated nationally to improve response, services, and access for victims of crime.

The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC) will use this $1,973,646 award to support and expand the StrongHearts Native Helpline. American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations suffer from the highest rates of violence across the United States. StrongHearts Native Helpline launched in March 2017. Through StrongHearts, Native callers can connect at no cost, one-on-one, with knowledgeable advocates that understand Native cultures and issues of tribal sovereignty and law. Services are culturally appropriate and Native-centered, anonymous, and confidential. Highly trained advocates provide immediate support, crisis intervention, safety planning and referrals to culturally appropriate services. This project will extend the StrongHearts' hours of operation to 24/7/365. Additionally, NIWRC will develop and implement digital (chat) services to meet the needs of those who may not have access for various reasons (technology, being overheard by partner, phone service). Finally, NIWRC will build out a culturally rooted and appropriate training curriculum for staff.

CA/NCF