UCDVS provides services for victims and their children at two sites located in Shelton and New Haven. All services offered are free of charge and confidential. Services support 170 different languages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact us:
Confidential e-mail to The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence.
The UCDVS Crisis Hotline numbers are (203) 736-9944 and (203) 789-8104. Toll-free 1-888-774-2900
About UCDVS
The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS) is dedicated to increasing awareness of domestic violence and its effect on the community, empowering those victimized by providing advocacy and safe and effective services, and to working for social change to eliminate domestic violence.
UCDVS believes that all persons have the right to live free from violence and fear, especially in their own homes. The program’s purpose is two-fold, to provide practical assistance and support for victims of domestic violence, and seek to create an environment that supports individual safety and breaks the cycle of violence.
UCDVS provides services for residents of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, West Haven, and Woodbridge.
Programs & Services
Walk-in Crisis Services & 24-hour Hotline
UCDVS offers 24-hour services for crisis hotline counseling, advocacy and information about crime victim compensation, filing of temporary restraining orders, referral, and safety planning. In addition, UCDVS accommodates crisis walk-ins, as well as immediate appointments and sheltering on a crisis basis.
The UCDVS Crisis Hotline numbers are (203) 736-9944 and (203) 789-8104. Toll-free 1-888-774-2900
Emergency Safe House
UCDVS provides a temporary confidential refuge for women and children affected by domestic violence. UCDVS confidential safe houses have advocates available 24/7 to help families and individuals rebuild their lives. Shelter services include individual and group counseling, advocacy, law enforcement-based victim assistance, children’s counseling programs, safety education and planning, emergency legal advocacy, and other support services as needed. While UCDVS safe houses cater to women and children only, separate arrangements can be made for sheltering male victims of domestic violence who need to be in a safe place.
Assistance, Support and Counseling Program (ASC)
ASC offers advocacy, counseling and case management services. The strength-based, client centered services empowers clients in self-determination of their futures for long term. Case management services provided for up to one year.
ASC offers:
- Collaborative case management
- Trauma-informed clinical services
- In-home services available
- Individualized risk assessment, uncertainty reduction, and safety planning
- Assistance with Restraining Order process through civil court
- Domestic violence counseling for adults and children
- Identified community resources and assistance with referrals
- Bi-lingual services
- Advocacy contacts with Dept. of Correction, Probation, Parole and Law
Enforcement
Family Violence Victim Advocates (FVVA) & Court Based Advocacy
UCDVS provides Family Violence Victims Advocates (FVVAs) and court-based advocacy to assist victims of domestic violence whose partners have been arrested for family violence crime. The FVVA facilitates communication between the victim and court personnel to ensure that his/her input is considered in case disposition and provides support throughout the court process, including prosecution and related sanctions. Help in obtaining the appropriate protective order is given.
Transitional Housing
Women who have resided in the safe house are eligible for the UCDVS transitional housing program where they can reside for up to 18 months and receive rent subsidy and follow-up services.
Support Groups
UCDVS offers weekly support groups for women who are in an abusive relationship. Attendees share feelings and experiences that support the process of healing from the emotional pain and fear they experience while living in a violent relationship.
Legal Advocacy
UCDVS partners with a statewide network for the provision of civil legal assistance to victims. Special focus is placed on increasing representation to battered immigrants and victims with language barriers and providing representation in cases that will increase victim’s economic security.
Teen Program
Love shouldn’t hurt, but for many teens it does. UCDVS can help if you are in trouble.
Teen Program Brochure
CHERISH Program (Caring Home for Elderly Receiving Insight, Safety, and Healing)
The CHERISH program provides safe shelter through partnerships with local and regional assisted living communities. The program provides victims with safe alternatives to living in abusive home environments. Assistance is provided to help late-life victims make decisions about their options and learn how to access community resources designed to support them.
CHERISH Program Brochure
Community Education
UCDVS provides community education workshops related to the dynamics and scope of domestic violence, family violence laws, and services available in each community. Workshops and presentations are designed for professionals, civic and service organizations, businesses, community and other groups. Special programs include the Teenage Abuse Prevention Program (TAPP) for students and educators, and elder abuse prevention workshops for senior centers.
Developing Options for Victim Education Classes (DOVE)
DOVE classes are 8-week classes held once a week to educate women about domestic violence and its effect on the family. The classes are intended for women who have been arrested on domestic violence charges or have Department of Children and Families involvement due to domestic violence. Topics of DOVE classes include effects of domestic violence on families and children; trauma, psychological and physical abuse; open/closed communication skills; and area supportive resources. Participants receive a certificate of completion when all 8 weekly classes are attended. Women who are referred from DCF, court, and social service agencies are eligible for DOVE classes.
DOVE Program Brochure
Donate Your Cell Phone/Ipad/Ipod
Shelter Alliance is the largest cell phone recycling program in the United States. Through this program, UCDVS is able to raise funds through the collection and recycling of used cell phones.
Donate your cell phone, iPad and/or iPod to help the fight against domestic violence.
Volunteer and Internship Program
UCDVS utilizes volunteers in many aspects of programming (court, crisis work, committees, etc.). Each semester, including summer sessions, UCDVS accepts interns on undergraduate and graduate levels in the fields of counseling, psychology, social work, public health, marriage and family therapy, etc. All volunteers/interns must complete a mandatory 20-hour training series.
Domestic violence services are funded in part by the Office of Victim Services, Superior Court Operations Division, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch, Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant Program and United Ways of Connecticut.
