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2006 2007<br />
<strong>Alexandra</strong> <strong>House</strong> created<br />
<strong>the</strong> Follow Up Program.<br />
President George W. Bush<br />
signed <strong>the</strong> Violence<br />
Against Women Act<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2005.<br />
<strong>Alexandra</strong> <strong>House</strong><br />
expanded <strong>the</strong> Follow Up<br />
Program, <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
fi nancial assistance<br />
to families.<br />
<strong>Alexandra</strong> <strong>House</strong><br />
celebrated 30 years <strong>of</strong><br />
service to <strong>the</strong> community.<br />
The National Teen Dating<br />
Abuse Helpline was<br />
launched and received its<br />
fi rst call in February 2007.<br />
Safe at Home, a statewide<br />
program, administered by<br />
<strong>the</strong> Office <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Minnesota<br />
Secretary <strong>of</strong> State that<br />
allows survivors <strong>of</strong> domestic<br />
violence, sexual assault,<br />
or stalking to maintain a<br />
confi dential address was<br />
signed into law.<br />
2006… Moving Beyond Crisis<br />
<strong>Alexandra</strong> <strong>House</strong> advocates struggled with <strong>the</strong> knowledge that<br />
women required numerous community resources and ongoing<br />
support long after <strong>the</strong>ir immediate crisis was resolved. Survivors<br />
needed legal assistance, employment, and affordable housing.<br />
Advocates knew that some form <strong>of</strong> follow-up or aftercare program<br />
would help victims access resources and community supports, cope<br />
with <strong>the</strong> emotional, psychological, and physical trauma <strong>the</strong>y had<br />
experienced, and restore <strong>the</strong>ir self-esteem and independence.<br />
In order to meet this need, <strong>Alexandra</strong> <strong>House</strong> collaborated with<br />
Anoka County and created <strong>the</strong> Follow Up Program. Advocates<br />
met with survivors in a safe and personal setting—typically <strong>the</strong><br />
survivor’s home—and worked with <strong>the</strong>m to identify strengths and<br />
needs, ga<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> tools and resources needed to make positive<br />
changes, and achieve <strong>the</strong>ir self-identified goals. The survivor sets<br />
<strong>the</strong> tone for <strong>the</strong> type <strong>of</strong> relationship <strong>the</strong>y have with <strong>the</strong> program,<br />
ranging from informal check-ins to very structured follow-up that<br />
tapers <strong>of</strong>f from weekly to monthly to quarterly.<br />
2007… Increased Support to Survivors<br />
<strong>Alexandra</strong> <strong>House</strong> expanded its Follow Up Program with <strong>the</strong><br />
assistance <strong>of</strong> a Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program<br />
(FHPAP) grant. These funds allowed advocates to provide financial<br />
assistance to <strong>the</strong> families served by <strong>the</strong> program. Depending<br />
upon <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> client, <strong>the</strong> financial assistance may have<br />
included a rental security deposit, first month’s rent, and<br />
payments on utility bills. In 2009, with <strong>the</strong> addition <strong>of</strong> new<br />
funding, this program expanded fur<strong>the</strong>r and included a provision<br />
<strong>of</strong> housing assistance and housing subsidies.<br />
26<br />
<strong>Alexandra</strong> <strong>House</strong> advocate meets with a Follow Up client.
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