Leah Barton

view from a stopped car: a line of tank cars under an overpass next to David Adickes’s large white sculptures of president heads behind a vine-covered fence

stuck behind a train under the watchful eyes of the presidents
#hiwi

Advocates have found very creative uses for funding, meeting survivors’ specific needs:
- Installing ring cameras
- Paying a mechanic to remove a tracking device
- Securing a storage unit to help a survivor keep her stuff during a move
- Buying a new bed for a child who had been abused in bed
& more

Flyer with program highlights: 2024 Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF) Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC) Executive Summary Background The Domestic Violence Assistance Fund (DVAF), administered by the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC), was created in response to growing safety and stability concerns for survivors of domestic violence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with Harris County Commissioners Court, DVAF offers flexible financial support to help survivors address urgent needs, avoid homelessness, and rebuild their lives. Launched in 2020 and funded initially through CARES and ARPA, DVAF has evolved into a county-funded line item, establishing a model of long-term investment in survivor safety. HCDVCC partners with 19 community organizations to distribute funds across all four precincts in Harris County. Key Results (2023-2024) • 2,558 Households Served - 7,317 Individuals reached, including 4,398 children • 59% of those served were children under 18 • 96% of adult survivors were women; 33% identified as Hispanic • Top Needs Met: food/basic needs (20%), rental assistance (17%), daily living expenses (17%) • 50% of survivors had no reported income; 20% experienced homelessness Flexible, Survivor-Defined Support DVAF's flexible emergency assistance model allows survivors to receive support directly via gift cards, checks, or ACH payments. This flexibility empowers survivors to determine how best to meet their own safety and stability needs-whether it is paying rent, repairing a vehicle, or purchasing medication. • 46% of all 2024 DVAF disbursements were in the form of gift cards • Support included: transportation, childcare, utilities, safety tools, legal fees, and moving costs "We are safe - this program helps make it safer for our children in our own way." - Survivor

Back of flyer on purple tablecloth: Impact Beyond Immediate Needs DVAF funding has contributed to: •Increased safety via housing support, legal assistance, and protective tools •Improved trust between survivors and advocates •Reduced advocate burnout by offering quick, meaningful ways to assist •Expanded organizational capacity of grassroots and culturally specific providers Innovation and Integration The Domestic Violence High Risk Team (DVHRI: HCDVCC's DVHRT integrated DVAF to help prioritize survivors at risk of homicide by offering housing, safety planning, and financial assistance. Neurofeedback Initiative: Launched with DVAF support, this trauma-regulation program provides nontraditional mental health support. Over 200 sessions have shown improvements in emotional regulation and wellbeing. Harm Reduction/Violence Prevention Program: This pilot project served 31 IPV offenders. Only 6.5% reoffended vs. a national average of 40-50%, showing early signs of success in reducing violence and recidivism. Lessons Learned and Leadership The DVAF model has highlighted the importance of reducing administrative burdens, building infrastructure, and investing in community-based and culturally specific providers. HCDVCC has helped partners overcome barriers by streamlining reimbursement and providing tools and mentorship. A National Model of Survivor-Centered Care DVAF has been recognized nationally for its equity-centered and trauma-informed approach. A recent case study was featured by the National Safe Housing Alliance and shared with key federal agencies. "If I had known this kind of help was available, I would have left a long time ago." - Survivor Join us in building a safer, stronger Harris County

Dr Leila Wood from UTHealth shares DVAF evaluation approach and initial results

Advocate video testimonials describe the impact of DVAF on staff: empowering case managers to find creative solutions for survivors

Harris County’s Domestic Violence Assistance Fund, administered by HCDVCC in partnership with Harris County Public Health, offers flexible financial assistance through 19 partner agencies.

The 2024 Annual Report highlights successes:
www.hcdvcc.org/wp-content/u...

some professional news, as they say:

Dark days! Glad we now we get Pichonkun as a bonus

Library leaders hold books in front of light colored wood shelves, large windows, a ping pong table, and a circle of chairs

Youth were very involved in the initial design, including requesting a mini library which @harriscountypl.bsky.social happily stocked!

Press conference in the main lobby - people gathered around elected officials, county staff, and former foster youth

This project is also a terrific example of braided funding, with local funds from Harris County, federal funds via Harris County and the City of Houston, philanthropic funding, and private in-kind contributions coming together to make it possible.

The HAY Center campus is officially open! With a wraparound services building for life skills classes, counseling, and other supports plus 50 affordable apartments, the campus will support more than 1,000 youth aging out of foster care each year.

yours truly wearing purple Petco love T-shirt and holding 5 mo very adorable dog in front of line of crates

Mega Adoption event continues this afternoon til 5 and tomorrow 10 am - 5 pm at NRG arena; very easy adoptions and free parking (entry off 610 feeder just west of Fannin).

I can personally vouch for this very good boy:

Harris County Public Health is OUT AND ABOUT this weekend:
💉Spring Branch immunizations
🩺 Burnett Bayland sports physicals
👩🏽‍⚕️ Sheldon Health Hub Open House
🐾 Petco Love Mega Adoption event
🚙 HART alternative first responders expanding into HCSO District V

Day 1 agenda includes bio of keynote speaker Dr Lance Williams as well as sessions on credible messengers, domestic violence, and community-based transformation

Dr Lance Williams speaks from the stage

Day 2 agenda features bio for keynote speaker David Muhammad and sessions on communication, faith in action, case management, safe gun storage, and more

Attendees listen across ballroom decorated in purple and orange

Harris County Public Health fourth annual violence prevention conference underway, featuring case studies and credible messenger certification tracks 🧡

Hot topic: how to sustain progress as COVID funding expires and families face upcoming reduction in food, healthcare access, and other resources?

Marchers in colorful tshirts in front of a sparkly rainbow Jerusalem cross float

Pickup truck with rainbow banners and a dayglo poster “this is the gay that the lord has made” (rejoice and be glad in it!)

Float heads into downtown Houston to start the parade Rainbow y’all means all banner at back

Always a blast to walk the pride parade with St Paul’s UMC 🌈

East African community members discuss around a table

Google map displays community assets

How can we make sure as many people are prepared for disasters as possible? Harris County Public Health has formed community-based resilience teams to help share information and build connections to resources. East and Central African community asset mapping underway today:

Ready Harris

Every five years, Harris County (via @readyharris.bsky.social)
prepares a hazard mitigation plan in partnership with dozens of local jurisdictions. New this year: including public health emergency as a critical hazard. Read and comment on the latest version:

www.readyharris.org/Contact/Miti...

Fluffy white dog with alert ears needs a good home

Inquisitive brown and white dog wonders if you are their new owner

Black and brown dog waits patiently in kennel for a good home

Not a cat person? No problem! Your faithful companion is waiting:

Harris County Pets is closed to the public for a deep clean today; over 40 volunteers are coming by to take animals outside while staff scrub everything from floor drains to ceiling vents! These kittens will have a cleaner home but they’d rather be home with you :) www.countypets.com #publichealth

Harris County Public Health hospital-based violence interruption specialists, community-based outreach specialists, and violence prevention team leadership proudly wear orange tshirts in recognition of gun violence prevention month and their RELENTLESS work on the RISE (Relentless Interrupters Serving Everyone) team

Together we can end gun violence! #wearorange

Learn more about the Relentless Interrupters Serving Everyone:

publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Divisions-Of...

Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez & Asst Chief Suarez, and Harris County Public Health leaders celebrate the RISE opening

This week, HCPH also opened the RISE Empowerment Center, a new hub for violence prevention services. Violence interrupters build relationships across the community, helping potential perpetrators of and survivors of gun violence access healing, mediation, and support.

cw39.com/news/local/h...

The Harris County Public Health violence interruption team has prevented over 100 incidents of gun violence since inception. Dr Shiree Berry from HCA Northwest notes that the hospital has seen a dramatic decrease in recidivism - people coming into the hospital multiple times as victims

Dr Howard Henderson, Dr Shiree Berry, and Lupe Washington speak at Baker Institute

Lupe Washington, Director of Community Health & Violence Prevention Services for Harris County Public Health, shares that HCPH hospital-based interrupters have met with more than 600 victims of violence at bedside. Survivors and perpetrators are overlapping groups - support & prevention are key

On preventing child suicide, Dr Lawrence Thompson Jr. of Harris County Resources for Children and Adults: “We mandate school safety officers but not school psychologists. Our limited school funding forces principals to choose between counselors and teachers.”

Mosaic above Baker Institute entrance highlights aspiration to be “A bridge between the world of ideas and the world of action”

Panelists on a podium in front of green Baker Institute backdrop; many attendees in orange, the color of gun violence prevention

Learning from local and national experts at today’s “Preventing Firearm Injury Through Purpose and Policy 2025” conference at Rice U’s Baker Institute

www.bakerinstitute.org/event/preven... #publichealth

Rainbow pencils in wooden back-of-pew pocket flank registration cards. One pencil says “St. Paul’s UMC Houston”; other says “All are welcome here!”

pew pencils got a glow-up this morning

Totie Fields maybe?

County Attorney’s Office building proclaims justice for all

In memoriam: José Campos Torres

“From Slavery to Freedom” Street Art for Mankind mural honoring Harriet Tubman

Art along the way

UHD gator mural below Willow Street Pump Station

More turtles (unscientific count); still just one alligator

Resuming trip report - there were more people on the trail closer to downtown than last year (including more women) - felt safer

Happy Harris County Bike-to-Work Day!

Changes since last year:
- Drivers stopped at 11th, Heights, and White Oak crossings 👍
- Spring St trail closed, new Pinckney St connector under construction (thanks @harriscopct2.bsky.social)
- I-10 White Oak Bayou project in full swing

Pink and orange flyer with three smiling speakers featured JOIN US FOR A FREE VIRTUAL EVENT Heat Report: The role heat plays in our community May 20, 2025 • 11 AM -12 PM DR. XIARA FAVORITE JORDAN URRATE DR. RACHEL ROY Harris County Public Health Building a Healthy Community HCPHTX.ORG

A good chance to plug our upcoming webinar☀️

Sneak preview: between 2019 and 2023, hospitals in Harris County saw over 1,000 heat-related illnesses stemming from on-the-job exposure

Registration: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Report: publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Portals/hcph...