1670 Market St., Suite 300 Shasta, CA 96001 Phone: (530) 243-8868 Website: http://www.shastafjc.org Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Through collaboration, we envision a future where all homes are safe and nurturing; all children and families grow to their full potential, free from the specter of violence and intimidation; all neighborhoods are safe for children, families, and elders at all times; Shasta County reports zero incidences of death and injury from domestic violence; and the human rights of all are respected, valued, and upheld.

The Shasta Family Justice Center is located in the city of Redding in Northern California.  Redding is the largest California city north of Sacramento with a population of approximately 90,000 people.  The community’s predominant industries of tourism, mining, lumbering and farming have suffered such that the average unemployment rate of 2010 was a staggering 12%.  In 2007, there were 937 requests for assistance with family violence cases in Shasta County and 867 in 2008. From 2005 to 2008, serious domestic violence case filings in Shasta County increased by 54%.

Domestic violence services began in Shasta with the founding of the Women’s Refuge in 1979.  The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council was formed in December of 1993, and began quarterly meetings in February 1994. The Council formation stemmed from the need to develop a coordinated response to domestic violence cases among criminal justice agencies and victim service providers in Shasta County.  The Council formed 5 subcommittees, which continue to meet on a monthly basis. Due to ongoing issues with domestic violence, the District Attorney’s Office implemented the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT) in 2006. This team consisted of advocates, investigations, prosecution and other agency members. The goals were to hold offenders accountable and meet the immediate needs of clients with the focus on accountability, enhanced services, and comprehensive training.

Former District Attorney Gerry Benito of the Shasta County District Attorney's Office spearheaded the Shasta Family Justice Center from the planning stage through opening.  In February 2010, several agencies participated in strategic planning facilitated by the National Family Justice Center Alliance and Strategic Planner Glen Price to create the Shasta Family Justice Center.  Agencies came together to envision the FJC, establish shared values, and discuss agencies’ contributions.  Four work groups were created to focus on Funding and Sustainability, Governance, Operations, and Service Delivery within the Center.

Michael Burke was hired as the FJC director on August 1, 2010, one month prior to the Center’s opening.  District Attorney Victim Assistance Program Director, Angela Fitzgerald provided significant help in orienting Michael on the responsibilities of his new position and support in coordinating the grand opening.  The Shasta Family Justice Center’s Grand Opening was held September 1, 2010.  Over 400 supporters attended the event throughout the day!  Several members of the media also attended, including radio, TV, and newspaper.  A formal ribbon cutting ceremony was held along with guided tours of the Center.

The Shasta FJC is housed in a 6,000 square foot leased space situated inside a renovated indoor mall.  This allows clients to access services with anonymity.  Three months of free rent was negotiated into the building lease and Wells Fargo Bank in Shasta decorated and furnished the children's room upon move-in.  All of the Center’s furniture was graciously donated.

The following key staff positions are in place to support the work of the FJC: Executive director, operations manager, part-time client navigator, part-time volunteer coordinator, and receptionist.  The operations manager role is filled by in-kind support from the DA’s Crime Victims Assistance Center Director, Angela McClure.  The receptionist position is donated through a partnership with Experience Works.

The Shasta FJC focused not only on offering crisis intervention services, but longer term services that promote autonomy.  Focus groups were conducted prior to opening to solicit feedback from clients on services needed.  Clients were thrilled with the Center’s new resource room that provided a phone and computer with internet access to search for jobs, make appointments, and promote self sufficiency.

Post-opening, the Center transferred management from the District Attorney’s office to the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council (CAPCC), which serves as the Center’s fiscal agent and holds the facility’s lease. The Center is exploring the creation of a new 501(c)3 to support fundraising efforts.  A governance committee provides oversight on programs and policies and focuses on improving organizational collaboration, and developing, monitoring and evaluating program components. Members of the governance committee include sponsors, board of supervisors, and key community partner leadership staff.

A staggering 745 client visits were recorded in the first six months of operation. In the first month of service there were 33 visits to the FJC. In a short six months they recorded 237 visits in one month!  Of those clients, about 125 were children with about 90% in the 0-5 age range. Committed to raising community awareness about family violence, the Shasta FJC trained approximately 200 people through their community education series.  The number of site visitors (other than clients) to the Center was above 1,000 people since opening day!