Program Description: The Advocacy for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence program provides essential, trauma-informed legal support. The $23,000 grant from the RSFWF fully funded a Legal Advocate position in North County, ensuring access to services including safety planning, restraining/protective orders, custody and housing legal rights, and public benefit navigation. Survivors also received holistic assessments to address both legal and non-legal barriers to safety and self-sufficiency.

Results and Challenges: In the last fiscal year, Center for Community Solutions has served 2,434 survivors in North County, with 59 directly supported through RSFWF-funded legal advocacy. Notably, 94% of temporary restraining orders filed by CCS Legal Staff were granted in FY24.

The program demonstrated strong outcomes; however, they also faced significant challenges due to federal and state budget cuts, particularly to its primary funder (Cal OES).  In response to this, the leadership has developed contingency plans in hopes of minimizing adverse services impact.  

Additionally, the demand for no-cost legal services far exceeds the available capacity, with few alternative providers in the region. Community agencies and courts regularly refer to CCS, underscoring the organization’s trusted role as a regional leader in legal advocacy for survivors. As such, Center for Community Solution has many strong, long-standing partnerships, most notably with entities like the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, Casa Cornelia Law Center, and One Safe Place. These relationships ensure continued collaboration and integrated support for survivors.

Plans for Sustainability: Center for Community Solutions is taking proactive steps to secure long-term funding and reduce dependency on unstable public funding sources:

• Private Fundraising
• Law Firm Partnerships
• New Public Contract: CCS is now a subcontractor under a County of San Diego contract with the San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program (fellow RSF Women’s Fund 2023-24 Grantee), allowing the expansion of restraining order services at Family Justice Centers in both North and South County.