180 Turning Lives Around realigns focus
Amanda's Easel, safe home to expand; help line to go statewide
BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer
Administrators of 180 Turning Lives Around announced recently that they will expand some programs, including the agency's teen telephone help line and art therapy program, to better meet the needs of the community.

According to a press release from Hazlet based 180, after nearly two years of introspection and strategic planning, the nonprofit's board of trustees has drawn up a blueprint for building expanded offerings in critical areas.

As a result, critical programs and services will be strengthened, and at the same time the way some programs and services are delivered will change. The changes will allow for expansion of several key initiatives and will enable 180 to reach a broader clientele with a portfolio of enhanced programs, according to the press release.

Among the goals is doubling the capacity of the safe house, the only emergency shelter in Monmouth County for abused families. This will provide a safe haven for a greater number of women and their families to meet a rising need.

According to Anna Diaz-White, executive director of 180, between 85 and 100 families/abuse victims have been sheltered at the safe house since the inception of 180, formerly known as the Women's Center of Monmouth County.

Amanda's Easel, a nationally recognized creative art therapy program, will be expanded to include additional and more intensive therapy modalities. An award of a $450,000 state PALS (Peace: A Learned Solution) grant enables 180 to build on the art therapy offered for children impacted by domestic violence to also include play therapy and dance/movement therapy.

"180 will provide art therapy, play therapy and dance/movement therapy in a nurturing and therapeutic environment, where children can express a range of emotions and work through family conflicts," Diaz-White said.

In addition, the funding will allow 180 to expand the facilities in which these therapies are offered and to hire more staff.

To date, 113 children have been served by the Amanda's Easel program.

Also, the 2nd Floor youth help line that currently serves Monmouth, Mercer and Union counties will be expanded to the entire state. Last year, according to Diaz- White, there were 16,000 calls to the help line and 40,000 visits to the Web site.

The school-based prevention program, whose mission is to inform and educate youths about healthy relationships, will be incorporated into the 2nd Floor Web site. In addition, school personnel will be able to download materials and information from the Web site to supplement their family health curriculum.

A new initiative will be the addition of supportive group counseling for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in other areas of Monmouth County to allow for greater client access to this service.

The 180 board has committed to continue delivering the following services:

• 24-hour domestic violence hotline that provides immediate counseling and critical information for callers.

• 24-hour rape care hotline that provides a supportive connection for individuals in crisis.

• Sexual Assault Response Team made up of a team of experts and volunteers assisting victims of sexual assault and their significant others after an assault.

• Domestic Violence Response Teams that partner with municipal police departments to accompany victims and their children at police stations following an incident of domestic violence.

• Specialized outreach program offering culturally relevant group support counseling and services for women of color in Neptune, Asbury Park and surrounding areas.

• Family Court liaison providing consultation in obtaining or dropping a restraining order, information on court procedures and victim accompaniment through the court process.

• Families in Transition, providing women and their children with a safe home and comprehensive support services for up to 24 months.

Finally, the board of trustees has identified several programs that will be transitioned to other providers or modified. All individual psychotherapy and substance abuse treatment will also be transitioned to other service providers, and Alternatives to Abuse, a group intervention program, will be offered by referral to other providers.

Victim support group counseling will continue to be directly offered by 180, according to the press release.

For 30 years, 180 Turning Lives Around has provided shelter, counseling, protection, education and advocacy for residents of Monmouth County who are affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, rape and child abuse.

To learn more about 180, visit www.180nj.org.

Immediate emergency assistance is available by calling the toll-free 24-hour hotlines for domestic violence at 1-888- 843-9262 or (732) 264-4111; for sexual assault, contact 1-888-264-RAPE or (732) 264-RAPE.