Vermont

A Community Resource Network (ACORN) works to support and empower those whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C to live fully and with dignity and to stop the spread of these diseases through education, information, and understanding in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Service area: Windsor and Orange Counties in Vermont
Work with: All people with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C and their affected family members
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Pamphlets and information on HIV and Hepatitis C.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; HIV testing and counseling; needle exchange; food pantry; condoms and lubricant; information; and referrals.
Services for loved ones include: HIV testing and counseling; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

Aid to Women, Men, and Children in Abuse and Rape Emergencies (AWARE) offers direct services for survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones.

Service area: Part of Caledonia, Orleans, and Washington Counties
Work with: Survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment for sexual assault cases; information; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; support groups for survivors of sexual violence; and ongoing emotional support.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; emotional support; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

AIDS Project of Southern Vermont provides direct services to those whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Vermont, offers education to help prevent its spread and promotes understanding within the communities served.

Service area: Southern Vermont – Windham, Bennington and southern Windsor counties
Work with: People living with HIV/AIDS, those at highest risk of contracting HIV, and others in need of testing
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Information about AIDS Project of Southern Vermont services and HIV/AIDS via phone and by mail.
Services for survivors after release include: comprehensive case management services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Services for loved ones include: HIV and Hepatitis C testing; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

Circle is a community-based organization dedicated to ending domestic abuse and sexual violence. Circle services include: 24-hour hotline; shelter for women and children; court education program; emergency, civil, and criminal court advocacy; and 24-hour access to information and referrals.

Fees: Free

HOPE Works is dedicated to ending all forms of sexual violence. We are committed to serving the Chittenden County community through the continued provision of our services and to being a leading voice in the State of Vermont for meaningful change in law and society. We provide crisis counseling and advocacy for those whose lives have been affected by sexual violence.

Service area: Chittenden County, Vermont (Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility)
Work with: All survivors of sexual assault as well as family and friends.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; court accompaniment for sexual assault cases; in-person services such as support groups at local jails, youth detention centers, and prisons; information and referrals; in person advocacy while incarcerated, collaborative support with correctional facility staff.
Services for survivors after release include: Crisis intervention via 24-hour hotline, ongoing emotional support, clinical/counseling services, medical/legal/economic/housing advocacy, support groups, economic empowerment programming.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: All advocacy services are free, clinical services may bill insurance.

New Beginnings provides services to women, men, and children who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Service area: 13 Towns in Southern Windsor County and the town of Rockingham in Windham County
Work with: Survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline, by mail, and email; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams at Springfield and Mt. Ascutney Hospitals; legal advocacy and court accompaniment at the Windsor County District and Superior Courthouses; information; and referrals. In-person peer support; information; safety planning; and advocacy are available to survivors at Southwest State Correctional and Southern State Correctional Facilities. Staff will make every effort to locate a place to meet in the prison that will ensure confidentiality.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; peer counseling; support groups; and assistance with Relief From Abuse Orders.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free
Additional Information: New Beginnings will provide immediate crisis intervention to any survivor who contacts them. For survivors who have perpetrated violence against a New Beginnings Inc. client, appropriate referrals to another victim service agency will be provided for ongoing support services.

The Rutland County Women’s Network and Shelter, Inc. is a non-profit, community-based organization serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Rutland County area.

Service area: Rutland County
Work with: Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment; information; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; counseling; advocacy and referrals in legal and welfare matters to put survivors in touch with local service providers, attorneys, welfare specialists, job training, and adult education programs; and support groups.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; counseling; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

Safeline is both a domestic violence and sexual assault agency that serves all of Orange County and northern Windsor County.

Service area: Orange and Northwestern Windsor Counties
Work with: Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment; information; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; transitional housing; and peer mentoring.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free

SafeSpace is a social change and social service organization working to end physical, sexual, and emotional violence in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) people. SafeSpace provides information, support, referrals, and advocacy to LGBTQQ survivors of violence and offers education and outreach programs in the wider community.

Service area: Vermont
Work with: LGBTQQ survivors of violence
Services for survivors during incarceration include: A range of services for LGBTQQ survivors of violence, including emotional support, referrals, and advocacy via phone and by mail; direct advocacy and accompaniment to courts, hospitals, police stations, and other agencies; assistance in obtaining needed services; and information. In-person services may also be available in detention facilities, by arrangement.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; one-on-one support and advocacy services for LGBTQQ survivors of violence and discrimination; and support groups.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free

The Sexual Assault Crisis Team is a nonprofit volunteer organization serving the needs of sexual violence survivors in Washington County through crisis support and advocacy services.

Service area: Washington County
Work with: Survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment for sexual assault cases; information; and referrals. In-person services may be available in detention facilities, by arrangement.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; emergency shelter for male and female survivors of sexual assault; one-on-one peer support; and support groups.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; counseling; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free

Umbrella, Inc. is a private, non-profit progressive resource organization that serves the residents of Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties in northeastern Vermont. Umbrella’s Advocacy Program is dedicated to supporting individuals victimized by domestic and sexual violence and their children. The program promotes social change through education and actions that develop resources and collaboration within and across communities to end domestic and sexual violence and the underlying social tolerance that perpetuates it.

Service area: Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties, with offices in Newport and St. Johnsbury
Work with: Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment; information; and referrals. In-person services may also be available in detention facilities, by arrangement.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; a safe-house network; emergency shelter; assistance with housing issues for survivors of abuse; support groups for women and children; and assistance with accessing area resources.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free

Vermont CARES is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life, create compassionate communities and prevent the spread of HIV by working with people affected by HIV/AIDS as a catalyst for social and individual change. Vermont CARES also provides Syringe Support services for intravenous drug users by offering free access to clean needles and supplies to prevent the spread of HIV, HCV and other infectious diseases; this service is available at Vermont CARES locations outside of Chittenden County, Vermont.

Service area: We have regional offices in Montpelier, St. Johnsbury, Rutland and Burlington VT and therefore serve Chittenden Regional (S. Burlington), Marble Valley (Rutland), Northern State (Newport), Northeast (St. Johnsbury),and  Northwest (Swanton) Correctional Facilities in the State of Vermont. For inmates calling from other areas, we would assess the logistics of an individual’s situation and needs, and refer out to other resources as applicable.
Work with: All survivors of sexual assault. We provide case management services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS without our various geographic service areas, can provide prevention education and free, anonymous testing to anyone interested, and as noted above, Syringe Support Services outside of Chittenden County. Walk-in testing and SSP hours vary by office location, and both HIV testing and SSP (outside Chittenden County only) can be done by appointment.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Within 30 days of intended release, incarcerated individuals can receive case management services (if a current client) or can begin the intake process (if a new client). Information and referral by phone, mail or email is always a possibility.
Services for survivors after release include: Medical case management services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, which can include limited financial assistance, advocacy, medical transportation and psychosocial support, plus information and referral to other resources as needed. As noted above, prevention education, testing and free safer sex supplies (condoms, lube, female condoms, finger condoms, etc.) are available at all of our offices. Syringe Support Services.
Services for loved ones include: Formal services provided to all individuals who meet eligibility criteria of having an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Informal support for family members/loved ones often happens as a by-product of the primary case management relationship.
Fees: Free
Additional Information: Vermont CARES intends to provide language accessibility for all English Language Learners, but with limited bi- or multi-lingual staff, relies on interpretation resources (phone, in-person) as available.

The Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is committed to uprooting the causes of violence so every last Vermonter thrives. The Network connects survivors of domestic and sexual violence with a member organization either in their local county, and/or statewide for LGBTQ survivors, so they can get the services and support they need.  Services of the 15 member organizations include confidential crisis intervention, hotline, shelter, legal advocacy, financial and personal advocacy, hospital advocacy, information and referrals, support groups, and community education, among others.

As part of this work, the Network Office coordinates the Discussing Intimate Partner Violence and Accessing Support (DIVAS) Program, which offers education and support to incarcerated women who have experienced physical and sexual abuse. Advocates from Network programs facilitate the educational groups at Northwest State Correctional Facility and Tapestry.

DIVAS groups offer information about domestic and sexual violence, an opportunity to discuss the impact and effects of violence and abuse, and community resources. The groups provide a space for reflection, offering participants an opportunity to explore and transform the negative effects of violence in their lives. DIVAS groups are also a place where women can consider the relationship between abuse they have experienced and criminal behavior in which they have engaged. Advocates help participants develop strategies for their safety and independence upon community re-entry and support them in establishing supports and connections to services outside the facility.

Service area: The Network provides services throughout the state of Vermont, and the DIVAS program is offered to women who are incarcerated the Northwest State Correctional Facility and the Tapestry program.
Work with: The Network works with survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their loved ones, member programs, and allied professional groups. The DIVAS program works with women who self-identify as survivors of sexual violence and/or intimate partner violence and who are incarcerated in the state of Vermont.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: The Network provides information and referrals to the nearest member program via phone and by mail and a directory of affiliated rape crisis centers on the Network website. DIVAS provides education and support groups at the Northwest State Correctional Facility and Tapestry, along with information and referrals to community sexual and domestic violence programs. DIVAS also offers one-on-one advocacy to women incarcerated at the Northwest State Correctional Facility, with an emphasis on re-entry planning and support, including Network programs and other community resources.
Services for survivors after release include: Services of the Network programs are available to all survivors of sexual assault, including those who have been incarcerated. DIVAS works with incarcerated survivors prior to their release in order to bridge survivors with Network programs and other community supports.
Services for loved ones include: Loved ones are able to access Network programs for support services. Services offered as part of the DIVAS program are only available to women who are incarcerated.
Fees: Free
Additional Information: Other services of the Network Office include: membership services and outreach, prevention education, training, and public policy advocacy. For more information on the DIVAS program, contact Liese Brown, Legal Project Specialist, at 802-223-1302, ext. 109 or liese@vtnetwork.org; or contact Heather Holter at heather_holter@tds.net.

Voices Against Violence provides free and confidential crisis intervention, support, and advocacy services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

Service area: Franklin and Grand Isle Counties
Work with: Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment; information; and referrals. In-person support and advocacy may also be available in detention facilities, by request.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; emergency shelter; and support groups.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free

The mission of the Women’s Crisis Center is to work toward ending physical, sexual, and emotional violence against women and children. The Women’s Crisis Center is committed to offering support to survivors of these crimes, as well as prevention and educational activities to help create a community in which violence will not be tolerated.

Service area: Windham County
Work with: Survivors of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment for sexual assault cases; information; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; emergency shelter for women and children who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence; emotional support and advocacy; and individual and group support, including a weekly support group.
Services for loved ones include: All of the above.
Fees: Free

WomenSafe works toward the elimination of physical, sexual, and emotional violence against women and their children through direct service, education, and social change.

Service area: Addison County and the town of Rochester
Work with: Survivors of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and their loved ones.
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention, problem-solving assistance, safety planning, and emotional support via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment; information; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; education; support; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free
Additional Information: WomenSafe also offers a supervised visitation program, which provides safety for children and parents during visits and exchanges. Visits are held in a safe, neutral, and child-friendly environment.

Women’s Information Service (WISE) provides services for survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont.

Service area: The towns of Canaan, Enfield, Grafton, Hanover, Lyme, Orford, West Lebannon, and Wilder and surrounding areas in New Hampshire
Work with: Survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking and their loved ones
Services for survivors during incarceration include: Crisis intervention via the 24-hour hotline and by mail; hospital accompaniment during forensic exams; legal advocacy and court accompaniment for sexual assault cases; information; and referrals.
Services for survivors after release include: All of the above; individual counseling; emergency shelter; transitional housing; children’s group; and support groups.
Services for loved ones include: Crisis intervention; counseling; information; and referrals.
Fees: Free
Additional Information: Services are confidential and are available to all regardless of gender or gender identity/expression, age, health status (including HIV status), physical, mental or emotional ability, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, race, national origin, immigration status, or religious or political affiliation.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont is dedicated to the defense of individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, as well as the Vermont Constitution. The ACLU of Vermont is not a resource for handling individual convictions or problems, unless related to conditions of confinement. The ACLU operates a number of specific projects, including the AIDS Education Project of the National Prison Project, and the Gay and Lesbian Rights Project of the ACLU. The ACLU of Vermont is able to look at complaints from prisoners in Vermont only.

To request assistance, fill-out and mail in the online complaint form or write directly to the ACLU. You can also call the ACLU and leave a message with your address if you would like a complaint form mailed to you.

Each complaint is reviewed by staff to see whether it constitutes a civil liberties problem with which ACLU-VT may be able to help. If the ACLU of Vermont is able to offer you assistance, the ACLU will contact you to gather more information about your situation. Because of its small size and the large volume of complaints it receives, it will take approximately six weeks to let you know the ACLU’s initial decision.

The Prisoners’ Rights Office addresses a wide range of issues that deal with the fact, length, and conditions of confinement and community supervision for people serving sentences. These include post-conviction relief criminal appeals, furlough, parole, and supervised community sentence eligibility and violations, health care, prison discipline, and sentence calculation. Services are limited to Vermont. The Prisoners’ Rights Office is a division of the state public defense system and does not charge for its services; however, it does not represent individuals seeking money damages.

The Vermont Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service can direct you to a lawyer in Vermont. When you call the Lawyer Referral Service, you will be asked to state your problem briefly. After listening to your problem, and based on the information you provide, the Lawyer Referral Service will give you the name and telephone number of an attorney who concentrates in that area of law. The attorney’s consultation fee that should not exceed $25 for the first half hour. Persons who have a legal problem and cannot afford a lawyer will be directed, if possible, to another public service program or human service agency for assistance.