Miscellaneous
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this month’s episode focuses on disability, mental health, and domestic violence. We address these topics (abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including sexual assault), so if you are sensitive to these topics, please be aware of that. Jill Anderson and Cheryl Atwood are our guests - Jill is the director of CAPSA which is a non-profit domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape recovery center and Cheryl is the director of Options for Independence, a center for independent living in Utah. They’ve worked together to improve response to domestic violence cases involving adults with disabilities. We have linked multiple resources below, which we mention in this episode.Transcripts:EnglishSpanishLinks:CAPSA https://www.capsa.org/Options for Independence http://www.optionsind.org/This is the National Domestic Violence Hotline website. They have a phone number and their website is available in English in Spanish. Also, this link lists their different options for contacting an advocate for individuals who are Deaf.APS map that website for each state and reporting phone number.State statues on mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect, and adult protective servicesLaw enforcement and disability:The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and DisabilityRuderman Family Foundation ReportNAMIUnited States Civil Rights CommissionUtah Crisis Response Bios: Jill Anderson is the Executive Director of CAPSA, a non-profit organization providing services to and empowering individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Jill began her career working with at-risk youth in youth corrections and mental health organizations. It was during her time volunteering for CAPSA that she quickly became passionate about working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Since that time she has dedicated more than 25 years to serving survivors and working to prevent abuse from happening in our community. In 1997, Jill became the Executive Director of CAPSA, and through Jill’s vision and inspired leadership, CAPSA has grown from a one-home shelter to a full organization providing comprehensive services that meet the complex needs of survivors. In addition to spearheading facility expansion, including building a new victim support center, shelter, and a transitional housing subdivision (Independence Place), Jill has enhanced programs and expanded the capacity of CAPSA to provide critical 24-hour services. Jill has served on a number of Boards and Committees over the years working with non-profit organizations and on state and federal level policy issues. In 2013, she was named Resident of the Year by the Herald Journal, and in 2016, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Utah State University’s Center for Women and Gender. Jill is committed to empowerment-based, survivor-informed programs & processes and, above all else, strives to empower individuals and families to use their knowledge and strength to create safe and stable homes for themselves and their children. Cheryl Atwood is the Executive Director of OPTIONS for Independence, the Northern Utah Center for Independent Living. Cheryl has worked in the Independent Living field for over 32 years and is committed to the Independent Living philosophy, which means every person, regardless of disability, has the potential and the right to exercise individual self-determination. Through work on Department of Justice, Office on Violence against Women funded grants, Cheryl has implemented programs and supports for people with disabilities who have experienced violence or sexual assault. Cheryl has served on various state and local committees and is currently a member of the Association for Independent Living of Utah, Neighborhood Housing Solutions, and the Bear River Health Department. Through service on these boards and her own personal experience, she represents people with disabilities well.*Music Credit: Music for our podcast is licensed from Marmoset Music. Artist: Johnny Clay; Song "Looking Down the Road"