Rural Initiative

The mission of the FCADV's Rural Initiative is to provide for the safety of the most isolated and endangered victims of domestic and sexual violence in rural areas within the state of Florida. The Initiative is based on the community organizing model whereby the community and judicial organizing is essential to the long-term success of direct services provided to rural victims.

Rural Training Institute

One of the lasting outcomes of this initiative is the annual Rural Training Institute, "Behind Closed Doors--Breaking the Silence in Rural Communities." In the past, the conference attracted more than 350 participants including law enforcement officers, advocates, attorneys, shelter executive directors, staff employees from the department of health and children's and families, volunteers and community activists.

Call for proposals

FCADV will hold its next annual Rural Training Institute on May 15 and 16, 2013, at Chipola College in Marianna, Florida. FCADV is seeking individual or team presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops, demonstrations and interagency presentations featuring a variety of disciplines associated with working in rural communities to end domestic violence.

We welcome your proposals on or before December 15, 2012. It is projected that decisions on workshop proposals will be finalized at the beginning of March 2012. For those who would like to present a workshop, please fill out the Call for Workshop Proposal form and send it to FCADV attn: Rural Statewide Training Institute Coordinator (via email at callforpapers@fcadv.org or fax to 850-656-8127 along with your CV or resume, a brief biography (limited to 2-3 sentences about each speaker), and the educational objectives, outline and bibliography for the presentation. This information must be submitted with your proposal as FCADV will be offering CEUs for participants. For more information about this event, please email: fcadvrural@fcadv.org

Rural Caucus

Another important component of the Rural Initiative is the FCADV Rural Caucus, a statewide coalition of activists who have an interest in giving a voice to rural survivors of domestic violence. The mission of the Caucus is to help overcome the barriers which are unique to rural survivors of domestic violence through education and advocacy.

The Rural Caucus brings advocates and their community partners together to network, share ideas and to discuss innovative approaches and materials. It is open to anyone who is passionate about helping rural survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. While many of our members work as advocates at domestic violence centers, we welcome individuals affiliated with our community partners who are also providing services to battered women and their children.

For more information, contact the FCADV Rural Program Coordinator by telephone at (850)425-2749.