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MississippiÕs Project Access: A Collaborative Community Response 
Needs Assessment Report 
Submitted to 
Amy Loder 
Program Specialist 
U.S. Department of Justice 
Office on Violence Against Women 
Project Access Team Partners: 
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Division of Public Safety Planning 
University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing 
Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence 
Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault 
The Arc of Mississippi 
The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies 
Submission Date: 
February 19, 2010 
Approval Date: 
March 1, 2010 

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Acknowledgements 
The Project Access Team thanks the following organizations, organization staff and selfadvocates 
for their unwavering commitment to this project and the implementation of the needs 
assessment: 
¥ University of Mississippi Medical Center Emergency Medicine Department 
¥ Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center 
¥ Catholic Charities Family Shelter 
¥ The Center for Violence Prevention 
¥ Mississippi National Alliance on Mental Illness 
¥ Living Independence for Everyone of Mississippi 
¥ The Arc of Mississippi 
¥ My Voice, My Choice 
¥ Disability Rights Mississippi 
¥ Warren County Mental Health Service 
¥ West Central United Way 
¥ River Region Medical Center Emergency Department 
¥ Haven House 
Dedication 
This needs assessment report is dedicated to the individuals with disabilities and organization 
staff who shared their stories, observations, best practices and wisdom with the Project Access 
Team. The Project Access Team appreciates their enthusiasm and insight into achieving 
meaningful change in services and supports that individuals with disabilities receive as a result of 
their experiences with domestic violence or sexual assault. 

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Table of Contents 
Acknowledgements 2 
Dedication 2 
Section 1: Overview of Project Access 5 
Introduction 5 
Section 2: Overview of Mississippi and Target Communities 7 
Mississippi 7 
Needs Assessment Pilot Sites 8 
Section 3: Overview of the Needs Assessment 11 
Goals 11 
Narrowing the Focus of the Needs Assessment 12 
Selection of Pilot Communities 12 
Selection of Participating Organizations within Pilot Communities 12 
Selection of Individuals within Organizations to Participate in the Needs Assessment 14 
Assessment of Pilot Sites 14 
Needs Assessment Implementation 14 
Target Audiences for Focus Groups and Interviews 15 
Needs Assessment Plan Implementation: Overview of Contacts 15 
Stakeholder Interview and Focus Group Protocols 18 
Data Analysis 20 
Needs Assessment Strengths and Challenges 20 
Key Learning Areas and Findings 22 
Section 4: Key Findings and Their Implications 23 
Needs Assessment Findings 23 
Strengths of Crisis Response and Ongoing Service Delivery 23 

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Gaps of Crisis Response and Ongoing Service Delivery 24 
Similarities and Differences in Accessibility and Delivery of Services 30 
Potential Partnerships and Collaborations among Organizations 31 
Implications of Key Findings 33 
Summary of Key Findings 35 
Selection of Organizations from Pilot Communities 36 
Selection of Organization Pilot Sites for Project Focus 36 
Background Information on Selected Organizations 39 
Strategic Planning 43 
Appendix A: Interview Themes 44 

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Section 1 
Overview of Project Access 
Introduction 
The 2006 Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grant for Education and Technical 
Assistance to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities provided the opportunity for public 
service organizations and advocacy organizations in Mississippi to establish a formal 
collaborative relationship with an emphasis on changing systems. The six partner organizations 
that comprise the Project Access Team (PAT) in the Mississippi collaboration are: 
¥ The Department of Public Safety - Division of Public Safety Planning (DPSP)ÑGrant 
Administrator 
¥ University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing (UMMC)ÑLead 
Organization 
¥ Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV) 
¥ Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) 
¥ University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) 
¥ The Arc of Mississippi (The Arc) 
This alliance of six organizations is built on a nearly 20-year history of previous projects and 
initiatives, and most importantly, a shared commitment to serving womenÑall womenÑwho 
have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault. For the past three years, the 
collaborating partners have strengthened their relationship through the development of a 
collaboration charter and a plan to enact systems change in selected communities in Mississippi. 
This planning process involved four phases: 
1. strengthening the collaboration among partners through the development of a 
collaboration charter reflecting the partnersÕ vision, mission, values, and roles and 
contributions of each partner; 
2. developing a targeted needs assessment to determine interest in and the ability to make 
system changes to provide services and support to individuals with disabilities who 
experience domestic violence or sexual assault; 
3. analyzing data from the needs assessment to further narrow the focus of the project as 
well as the geographic location of implementation; and 
4. organizing the needs assessment findings to guide the development of a strategic plan 
mapping out the strategies and activities the collaborative will implement to assist the 
targeted communities in developing collaborative response systems that provide women 
with disabilities access to the same standard of care available to other women who 
experience violence. 

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This report details phases 3 through 4 of the planning process: implementation and analysis of 
the needs assessment. The needs assessment plan was carried out in June through October 2009. 
PAT partners conducted 16 focus groups and 56 interviews. A total of 139 individuals 
participated in the needs assessment process. Gathered data represented a wide range of 
opinions. Points of view of staff of domestic violence and sexual assault programs, health care 
organizations and disability service organizations were obtained from each of the two selected 
communities. The insights and wisdom of people with disabilities from each community were 
also obtained through focus groups and individual interviews. 
Strategic Planning 
The PAT will engage in a strategic planning process once the Office on Violence Against 
Women has accepted the needs assessment findings. The strategic planning process will include 
discussions among PAT partners as well as invited guests who have expertise in needed areas. 
Among the invited guests will be domestic violence, sexual assault, and disability advocates. 
We will also invite people with disabilities and health care providers. 
Through discussions with the invited guests and with support from our technical assistance 
provider, the Vera Institute of Justice, the PAT will develop a strategic plan that addresses key 
findings of the needs assessment while using the identified strengths of the target communities. 
The PAT will create opportunities for collaboration among advocates and organizations and will 
develop strategies for the sustainability of the project after the conclusion of the grant. 

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Section 2 
Overview of Mississippi and Target Communities 
Mississippi 
More rural than urban, Mississippi has a total population of 2,938,618 according to the 2008 
Census estimate. A quarter of the stateÕs current populationÑ26.1%Ñis under the age of 18, 
and 12.6% is over age 65. MississippiÕs population is 51.5% female. Statewide, 60.6% of the 
total population is white and 37.2% is African-American; 2.2% is Hispanic. 
In 2007, one in five MississippiansÑ20.7%Ñlived below the poverty level. The stateÕs median 
household income for this same period was $36,424. The stateÕs average unemployment rate in 
2007 was 6.3% according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data featured in the Kids Count 
Mississippi 2008 Data Book. 
Mississippi has one of the highest state percentages of population with any disability, 23.6% of 
the state total population over the age of five according to the 2000 Census; 14.4% of the 
population age 16 to 64 have an employment disability. In Mississippi, one in three families with 
children under the age of 18 is a female householder with no husband present. 
Professional Education 
Informational trainings on domestic violence, sexual assault and disabilities for health care, case 
management, and law enforcement professionals have finally become more readily available in 
Mississippi in recent years. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) trainings were begun in 
Mississippi in 1999. Over 1,000 people have been trained during the 10 years of the programÕs 
existence. This 40-hour course is open to registered nurses, nurse practitioners, certified nursemidwives 
and physicians and is usually taught three times a year. There continues to be a need 
for trained health professionals statewide. 
Law enforcement professionals in some cities and counties received training through two 
previous programs administered by the University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability 
Studies. And Justice for All and Project Haven both provided training and consultation and 
disseminated resource information to law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges on abuse, 
neglect and violence affecting people with disabilities, especially in the area of domestic 
violence and sexual assault. Trainings included information on recognizing, addressing, 
investigating and prosecuting domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse and neglect of adults with 
various physical and developmental disabilities and the elderly. 
Transportation 

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Because Mississippi is a rural state, public transportation has long been an issue in the state. 
There are no state funds allocated for public transit in Mississippi. Any successful organized 
transportation systems in use in the state have been developed and maintained by local 
communities or organizations funded by federal dollars for transportation of the elderly or people 
with disabilities (5310) or people living in rural areas (5311). There is limited non-emergency 
transportation for Medicaid beneficiaries who need transportation to medical appointments 
through the Division of Medicaid. 
Medicaid 
As with most states, Medicaid spending fluctuates with the economy. A conservative Medicaid 
state because of its long history of poverty, Mississippi, like other states, has worked to control 
the growth of its Medicaid program. While Mississippi has one of the highest federal matching 
percentages, the state legislature still struggles every year to find monies to fund the stateÕs 
quarter share. State Medicaid officials say the funding of mandated programs take precedence 
over the more flexible waiver programs that other states use to fund more progressive home- and 
community-based programs that can better serve people with disabilities. 
Health Services 
Health services can be hard to come by in some of MississippiÕs communities. According to the 
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Mississippi ranks last among the states 
in physicians per capita, with a count of 141 physicians per 100,000 population, falling 
considerably below the national count of 198. The rate of physician assistants practicing per 
100,000 in 2000 was more than 10% below the national rate. 
In 2008, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported on the stateÕs 108 hospitals. Seven 
of MississippiÕs 82 counties did not have hospitals, but 33 hospitals reported 75 rural health 
clinics. Two rural hospitals decreased their licensed bed capacity. Two hospitals closed. 
The PAT partners conducted needs assessment activities in two pilot communities: 
Needs Assessment Pilot Sites 
Jackson 
Jackson, Mississippi is located in Central Mississippi in Hinds County. It is the capitol of 
Mississippi and houses the only academic medical center in the state. Jackson has a population 
of 184,256 with 85,656 (46.5%) males and 98,600(53.5%) females. The median resident age is 
31.0 years with the Mississippi median resident age being 33.8 years. The estimated Jackson 
median household income in 2005 was $31,177 while the Mississippi median household income 
was $32,938. Races in Jackson include 70.6% Black, 27.5% White Non-Hispanic, 0.8% 
Hispanic, and 0.7% two or more races. 

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The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is located in Jackson. It is the only 
academic medical center in Mississippi and has the only level 1 trauma center in the state. The 
Emergency Department has the oldest Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program in the state. 
UMMC has the only medical, dental, and physical therapy schools in Mississippi and houses the 
state flagship School of Nursing. 
There are two family violence shelters in Jackson and one rape crisis center. The rape crisis 
center also provides services for the Vicksburg community. 
The Arc of Mississippi, Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) and the National Alliance on 
Mental Illness (NAMI), all statewide disability advocacy organizations, are located in Jackson. 
My Voice My Choice, a statewide self-advocacy group, is also located in Jackson as is Disability 
Rights Mississippi and Hinds Behavioral Health. LIFE, NAMI, and My Voice My Choice have 
self-advocates from across the state who meet periodically in support groups. 
Vicksburg 
Vicksburg, Mississippi is located in West-Central Mississippi with a population of 26,407. It is 
approximately 45 miles from Jackson on Interstate 20 West. There are 11,969 (45.3%) males 
and 14,438 (54.7%) females in the city. The median resident age in Vicksburg is 34.3 years 
(Mississippi is 33.8 years). The estimated Vicksburg median household income in 2005 was 
$28,200 ($32,938 for Mississippi). VicksburgÕs population is 60.4% Black, 37.4% White Non- 
Hispanic, 1.0% Hispanic, and 0.6% two or more races. 
Vicksburg houses Haven House, which is the only family violence shelter in the city. The city 
does not have a rape crisis center. The Jackson-based Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center 
provides services for the Vicksburg community. River Region Medical Center is the only 
hospital in this rural city. The medical center emergency department has one of the youngest 
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner programs in the state. 
The Arc of Mississippi, Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE), the National Alliance on 
Mental Illness (NAMI), Disability Rights Mississippi and My Voice My Choice all have 
branches in Vicksburg. Vicksburg also has an outstanding regional mental health center, Warren 
County Mental Health Service, which collaborates with many of the disability-focused 
organizations. LIFE, NAMI, and My Voice My Choice have self-advocates who meet with the 
Jackson self-advocate support groups. 
All of the aforementioned organizations in both Jackson and Vicksburg participated in the needs 
assessment process and have indicated their desire to continue to participate in the grant project 
in a way that will improve their services for people with disabilities. A map of Mississippi with 
the location of Vicksburg and Jackson indicated can be found on page 10. 

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http://www.smart-traveler.info/ms_.html 
Jackson, 
MS 
Vicksburg, 
MS 

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Section 3 
Overview of the Needs Assessment Process 
Purpose 
One purpose of this needs assessment was to learn from women with disabilities about their 
experiences in seeking services. The Mississippi Project Access (PAT) partners wanted to 
discover what made their access to services successful or what barriers impeded or prevented 
women from obtaining needed services. In addition, the project team wanted to learn from 
service providers within the indigenous programs (domestic violence, sexual assault, disabilities, 
and health care) about their experiences in rendering services to individuals with disabilities who 
experienced violence. Understanding both effective and ineffective service delivery is equally 
important to the (PAT) partners. Finally, the PAT partners wanted to identify opportunities to 
support partnerships that promote collaborative advocacy strategies that respect choices made by 
individuals with disabilities. 
Goals 
The overall goal of this project is to assist the selected communities in developing collaborative 
community responses for women with disabilities who experience domestic violence or sexual 
assault. 
The PAT partners developed the following goal statements to assess the availability and 
accessibility of existing service delivery systems in each pilot community. These goals guided 
the development of the specific questions formulated for use in focus groups and individual 
interviews. 
¥ Identify the strengths and gaps in crisis response in an urban community. 
¥ Identify the strengths and gaps in crisis response in a rural community. 
¥ Identify the strengths and gaps in ongoing service delivery such as counseling, 
transportation and shelter in an urban community. 
¥ Identify the strengths and gaps in ongoing service delivery such as counseling, 
transportation and shelter in a rural community. 
¥ Identify similarities and differences in accessibility and delivery of services between 
urban and rural communities in Mississippi, including a review of the policies and 
practices already in place. 
¥ Identify potential partnerships and collaborations among organizations to provide an 
appropriate collaborative community response and delivery of services. 
The information obtained through the needs assessment will assist all participants in making 
more informed decisions when strategically planning for a collaborative community response 
system that better serves women. 

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Narrowing the Focus of the Needs Assessment 
Collaborating partners participated in a careful process by which the focus of the needs 
assessment was narrowed to one urban and one rural Mississippi community. The PAT partners 
further evaluated domestic violence, sexual assault, disability, and health care direct service 
organizations and advocacy organizations in each community against established criteria to 
determine their appropriateness for inclusion in the project. The narrowing process was 
continued by choosing to include individuals at all levels within the organizations to participate 
in interviews or focus groups: leadership, direct service providers and consumers (selfadvocates) 
of direct services. 
Selection of Pilot Communities 
The PAT partners developed a two-tier system for selecting the needs assessment pilot sites. The 
first tier narrowed possible communities to be included in the needs assessment. Next, 
organizations were selected within each community that represented the best fit for the project. 
Two geographic locations were selected: Jackson (urban) and Vicksburg (rural). These two 
cities are approximately 45 miles apart. The reasons for selecting these geographical locations 
included: 
¥ These are two distinct communities in close geographical proximity. This made it 
manageable for the Mississippi partners and Jackson organization participants to travel to 
Vicksburg and vice versa. 
¥ Since Vicksburg does not have a Rape Crisis Center, it uses the Jackson-based Rape 
Crisis Center for its crisis center referrals. 
¥ Vicksburg has the newest Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in the state and 
Jackson has the oldest. 
¥ Both cities use the other as a referral site for individuals seeking shelter who need to 
leave their home area. 
¥ The domestic violence shelter executive director in Vicksburg requested that Vicksburg 
be considered as the rural pilot community. 
¥ Each community has local chapters of The Arc of Mississippi. 
Selection of Participating Organizations within Pilot Communities 
Upon selecting these geographic regions, the project team developed the following criteria for 
determining which organizations would be included in the community assessment process: 
¥ Pilot organizations would demonstrate quality buy-in to the project through verbalization 
and through their active participation in initial meetings with the PAT partners. They 
would express a strong interest in improving domestic violence and sexual assault crisis 
services and ongoing services for individuals with disabilities. Leadership in the 
organization would be willing to be an active participant in the project. 
¥ Pilot organizations would provide crisis-related services or ongoing services to 
individuals with disabilities who experience abuse. 
¥ Pilot organizations would have the capacity to be a part of the Disability Abuse Response 

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Team (DART) as well as to evaluate and change policies and procedures to improve 
access to services. The organization would be willing to change or modify how they 
serve people with disabilities. 
¥ Pilot organizations would be willing to work with the PAT partners to receive technical 
assistance and to develop collaborative partnerships within the community. 
The PAT partners evaluated organizations in the Vicksburg and Jackson communities against the 
previous inclusion criteria. Initial meetings were held in the two pilot communities to explain the 
work of the project and to gauge the willingness of the individuals and commitment of the 
organizations to participate in the project. Every service entity invited to participate in these 
initial meetings indicated their support and desire to be an active participant in the needs 
assessment and the ongoing project. Based on the vision of the PAT partners, the following 
organizations were selected to participate in the needs assessment for the purpose of gathering 
information: 
Jackson Community 
¥ Catholic Charities Inc., Rape Crisis Center 
¥ University of Mississippi Medical Center, Emergency Department 
¥ University of Mississippi Medical Center, Social Work Department 
¥ Center for Violence Prevention (Family Violence Shelter) 
¥ NAMI - Mississippi National Alliance on Mental Illness 
¥ LIFE of Mississippi (Living Independence For Everyone) 
¥ My Voice, My Choice Self Advocates 
¥ The Arc of Mississippi 
¥ Disability Rights Mississippi (formerly known as Mississippi Protection and Advocacy 
System, Inc.) 
¥ Hinds Behavioral Health (Hinds County Mental Health Service) 
Vicksburg Community 
¥ Warren County Mental Health Service 
¥ Midd-West (The Arc of Warren County) 
¥ Rape Crisis Center, Catholic Charities 
¥ United Way/ West Central 
¥ LIFE of Mississippi (Living Independence For Everyone) 
¥ River Region Medical Center, Social Work Department 
¥ Haven House (Family Violence Shelter) 
¥ River Region Medical Center, Emergency Department 
¥ NAMI- Mississippi National Alliance on Mental Illness 
¥ Disability Rights Mississippi (formerly known as Mississippi Protection and Advocacy 
System, Inc.) 

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Upon completion of the needs assessment implementation and analysis of data, these 
organizations received further evaluation for inclusion in the implementation of the strategic 
plan. See pages 39-43 for identification and description of selected organizations. This further 
narrowing of organizations will make the implementation of the strategic plan more manageable 
and will allow PAT partners to give concentrated time and effort towards achieving common 
goals with each organization. 
Selection of Individuals within Organizations to Participate in the Needs Assessment 
The PAT partners determined there were five groups with direct experience in providing or 
accessing services for women with disabilities who have experienced violence: a) communitybased 
health care providers, b) community-based disability advocates, c) community-based 
domestic violence advocates, d) community-based sexual assault advocates, and e) women with 
disabilities (self-advocates). 
The project team members believed: 
¥ individuals within those five groups would be able to provide an accurate depiction of the 
strengths and gaps in crisis response and ongoing services provided to individuals with 
disabilities who experience abuse and who choose to access services; 
¥ self-advocates could identify why an individual might choose not to access services; and, 
¥ based on this information, PAT partners would be able to identify similarities and 
differences between issues in service provision in an urban and a rural community in 
Mississippi. 
Assessment of Pilot Communities 
Before the implementation of the needs assessment, the needs assessment plan was submitted to 
the University of Mississippi Medical Center Institutional Review Board for review and 
approval. Upon final dispensation of the Institutional Review Board, the needs assessment was 
conducted in the two selected communities from June through October 2009. 
Needs Assessment Implementation 
The implementation of the needs assessment allowed the PAT to achieve three global goals: 
1. to gather information to determine the specific organizations within the selected 
communities to include in the project implementation phase; 
2. to attain the projectÕs goals to identify strengths, challenges, and needs for organizations, 
staff and self-advocates within each community; and 
3. to identify potential partnerships among community organizations. 
The assessment data also provided the PAT partners with information related to gaps and 
strengths in crisis response and ongoing service delivery such as counseling, transportation and 
shelter. The findings identified similarities and differences in accessibility and delivery of 
services between the selected urban and rural communities in Mississippi as well as potential 

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partnerships within and among communities. The project team was also able to initiate or 
enhance relationships among the partners and the community key stakeholders. 
Methodology 
The needs assessment included the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data with the 
greatest emphasis on qualitative data. This data ranged from descriptive statistics from existing 
community data to thematic coding of new interview and focus group data. 
Target Audiences for Focus Groups and Interviews 
Interviews were conducted with individuals in leadership positions (or their representatives) and 
selected medical personnel by PAT partners. Leaders were chosen because of their firsthand 
knowledge and insight into the policies and procedures of their organizations. Individual 
interviews with these leaders provided the project team with a unique perspective on the 
organizationÕs systems and potential for change. The project team chose to interview leaders and 
selected medical personnel one-on-one because it was easier to access them individually rather 
than assemble them for a focus group interview. Several self-advocates were interviewed oneon-
one as well because of availability issues. A smaller number of focus groups were conducted 
for organization staff and self-advocates. 
Needs Assessment Plan Implementation: Overview of Contacts 
In total, the PAT partners conducted 16 focus groups and 56 individual interviews. A total of 
139 individuals participated in sharing their point of view with the PAT. Below is a breakdown 
of needs assessment activities by target group and community and includes the total number of 
participants: 
Total Number of Participants: 
Total Number of Individual Participants in Jackson: 
Domestic Violence: 17 
Rape Crisis Organizations: 5 
Health Care Organizations: 51 
Disability Service/Advocacy Organizations: 16 
Self-Advocates: 30 
Total Jackson Participants: 119 
Total Number of Individual Participants in Vicksburg: 
Domestic Violence Organizations: 11 
Rape Crisis Organizations: Same as Jackson 
Health Care Organizations: 6 
Disability Service/Advocacy Organizations: 3 
Self-Advocates: Same as Jackson 
Total Vicksburg Participants: 20 

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Total Number of Activities: 
Total Number of Activities in Jackson: 
Stakeholder Interviews: 48 
Focus Groups: 8 
Total Number of Activities in Vicksburg: 
Stakeholder Interviews: 8 
Focus Groups: 3 
Total Number of Interviews Conducted: 56 
Total Number of Focus Groups Conducted: 16 
Total Number of Needs Assessment Participants: 139 
Community 
(total # 
participants) 
Interviews: 
Leaders 
Interviews: 
Service 
Providers 
Interviews: 
Self- 
Advocates 
Focus 
Groups: 
Service 
Providers 
Focus 
Groups: 
Self- 
Advocates 
Jackson 
¥ 17 
Domestic 
Violence 
Service 
Providers 
¥ 5 Rape 
Crisis Service 
Providers 
¥ 51 Health 
Care Service 
Providers 
¥ 16 
Disability 
Service 
Providers 
¥ 30 Self- 
Advocates 
Jackson 
¥ Catholic 
Charities 
Family 
Shelter (6) 
¥ Center for 
Violence 
Prevention 
(2) 
¥ Catholic 
Charities 
Rape Crisis 
Center (2) 
¥ University 
of Mississippi 
Medical 
Center 
Emergency 
Department 
(2) 
¥ The Arc of 
Mississippi 
(2) 
¥ The ArcÑ 
My Voice My 
Choice (self- 
Jackson 
¥ University 
of Mississippi 
Medical 
Center 
Emergency 
Department 
(24) 
Jackson 
¥ University 
of Mississippi 
Medical 
Center 
Emergency 
Department 
Faculty 
Member (1) 
¥ LIFE 
(Living 
Independence 
for Everyone) 
(1) 
¥ NAMI 
(Mississippi 
National 
Alliance on 
Mental 
Health) (3) 
Jackson 
¥ Catholic 
Charities 
Family 
Shelter (6) 
¥ Center for 
Violence 
Prevention 
(3) 
¥ Catholic 
Charities 
Rape Crisis 
Center (3) 
¥ University 
of Mississippi 
Medical 
Center 
Emergency 
Department 
(30) 
¥ LIFE 
(Living 
Independence 
for Everyone) 
(5) 
¥ NAMI 
Jackson 
¥ LIFE 
(Living 
Independence 
for Everyone) 
(6) 
¥ The ArcÑ 
My Voice My 
Choice (selfadvocacy 
group) (19) 

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Community 
(total # 
participants) 
Interviews: 
Leaders 
Interviews: 
Service 
Providers 
Interviews: 
Self- 
Advocates 
Focus 
Groups: 
Service 
Providers 
Focus 
Groups: 
Self- 
Advocates 
advocacy 
group) (2) 
¥ Disability 
Rights 
Mississippi 
(formally 
Protection 
and 
Advocacy) 
(1) 
¥ LIFE 
(Living 
Independence 
for Everyone) 
(1) 
¥ Hinds 
County 
Mental 
Health 
Services (1) 
(Mississippi 
National 
Alliance on 
Mental 
Health) (5) 
Vicksburg 
¥ 11 
Domestic 
Violence 
Service 
Providers 
¥ Rape Crisis 
Service 
Providers * 
¥ 6 Health 
Care Service 
Providers 
¥ 3 
Disability 
Service 
Providers 
¥ Self- 
Advocates * 
Vicksburg 
¥ Haven 
House 
(Shelter) (2) 
¥ Catholic 
Charities 
Rape Crisis 
Center 
¥ River 
Region 
Medical 
Center 
Emergency 
Department 
(0) 
¥ Warren 
County 
Mental 
Health 
Vicksburg 
¥ River 
Region 
Medical 
Center 
Emergency 
Department 
(5) 
Vicksburg Vicksburg 
¥ Haven 
House 
(Shelter) (9) 
¥ West 
Central 
United Way 
(3) 
Vicksburg 

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Community 
(total # 
participants) 
Interviews: 
Leaders 
Interviews: 
Service 
Providers 
Interviews: 
Self- 
Advocates 
Focus 
Groups: 
Service 
Providers 
Focus 
Groups: 
Self- 
Advocates 
* The Rape 
Crisis Center 
and all of the 
disability 
organizations 
(NAMI, 
LIFE, 
Disability 
Rights 
Mississippi, 
The Arc, My 
Voice My 
Choice) are 
served by the 
same staff as 
those in 
Jackson. 
Self- 
Advocates 
attend the 
same 
meetings 
(and thus 
focus groups) 
as the 
Jackson selfadvocates. 
Services (1) 
¥ West 
Central 
United Way 
(0Ñ 
scheduled but 
not held due 
to family 
emergency) 
¥ The ArcÑ 
My Voice My 
Choice (selfadvocacy 
group)* 
¥ Disability 
Rights 
Mississippi 
(formally 
Protection 
and 
Advocacy)* 
¥ LIFE 
(Living 
Independence 
for 
Everyone)* 
¥ NAMI 
(Mississippi 
National 
Alliance on 
Mental 
Health)* 
Stakeholder Interview and Focus Group Protocols 
Project staff verbally ascertained passive consent for participation from organization leaders. 
Individual organization staff and self-advocates were then invited by a project team member to 
participate in either an interview or focus group. Participating organizations were asked to 
collect any requests for accommodations from participants and to forward those to the Project 
Director. There were no forwarded requests for accommodations for interviews or focus group 

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participants. The focus group facilitator also asked all participants at the beginning of the 
interview or focus group process if any accommodation/or assistance was needed to facilitate 
ease of participation. Some requests that were accommodated included assistance with holding 
consent/confidentiality forms for signatures and rearranging seating for better hearing. All 
interview and focus group participants were given certain information about the data collection 
process at the beginning of the session: 
¥ the importance of confidentiality among participants 
¥ a promise there would be no personally identifiable information used or documented in 
any way in the needs assessment report 
¥ all written notes and recorded interview/focus group information would be destroyed 
once the strategic plan was written by the Project Access Team and approved by the 
Office on Violence Against Women 
¥ no one was under any obligation to participate and could withdraw their participation at 
any time during the process 
¥ project team members would provide domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center 
information and referral services to those participants who requested it 
¥ a domestic violence/rape crisis advocate would be available after focus groups for 
consultation 
¥ Mississippi is a mandatory reporting state if an individual is considered a vulnerable adult 
and that having a disability does not necessarily make one a vulnerable adult under 
Mississippi law 
¥ accommodations were available for anyone who needs it to allow them to fully 
participate in the needs assessment process 
Safety of participants was of utmost importance to the PAT partners during this process. The 
PAT focus group facilitator read a scripted statement that was approved by the Office on 
Violence Against Women related to mandatory reporting in Mississippi prior to beginning the 
session. The facilitator did not ask questions about personal abuse experiences and none of the 
participants disclosed abuse. Team members with expertise in sexual assault and domestic 
violence who could serve as a referral source after the meeting were available should anyone 
request referral information. 
During the focus groups, the facilitator used several strategies for making sure that everyone was 
able to contribute to the process. For instance, the facilitator asked if anyone had anything else 
they would like to add before the group proceeded to another question and the facilitator went 
around the room to each person to make sure they had an opportunity to speak if they so chose. 
The facilitator made sure that all participants knew that it was fine to ÒpassÓ on any question. 
Facilitators asked questions in several different ways and had alternative questions or ÒprobesÓ to 
use to elicit information that is more detailed or to steer the discussion back to the question at 
hand if the discussion strayed. The PAT provided healthy snacks for focus group participants. 
All self-advocates received a $25 gift card and note of appreciation along with contact 
information for the Project Director. 
Each individual interview or focus group was audio-recorded and either the project team 
interviewer or the focus group project team assistant facilitator took handwritten notes. The 

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handwritten notes, participant feedback forms, consent forms, and audiotapes were placed in a 
sealed envelope and returned to the Project Director. Feedback forms from participants and PAT 
partners who facilitated the interviews or focus groups were reviewed for needed changes in the 
process. Feedback from all facilitators and participants were positive and did not require any 
changes in process. 
All audio taped sessions and handwritten notes were transcribed by the project Administrative 
Assistant. All session materials were coded to prevent any link to an individual or organization 
and were placed in a secure location under the supervision of the Project Director and 
Administrative Assistant. Electronically based session information (transcripts) was secured on 
the drive shared only by the Project Director and the Administrative Assistant and will be deleted 
from the shared drive upon approval of the projectÕs strategic plan. 
The project team staff remained acutely aware of the sensitivity of information about community 
organizations that might have been obtained during the data gathering phase of the needs 
assessment process. The project team did not include any information that could be construed to 
be detrimental to a community organization or staff member in this needs assessment report or 
any other document. The ultimate goal of the needs assessment was to strengthen community 
organization collaborations, not to jeopardize relationships. 
Data Analysis 
Data obtained from the needs assessment process were compiled and analyzed at the group 
aggregate level by PAT partners. As interview and focus group data were transcribed, PAT 
partners were given written copies for their review. Each partner independently coded themes 
for each focus group and interview for each target location (Jackson and Vicksburg) and type of 
organization (domestic violence, sexual assault, disability, and health care service providers and 
self-advocates). At the conclusion of the needs assessment process, the PAT partners came 
together to discuss the identified themes. Themes were written on a large white board so that the 
entire group could review them. After much discussion, consensus was reached on common 
themes. 
After the PAT partner meeting, all themes were compiled into comprehensive tables (See 
Appendix A). 
Needs Assessment Strengths and Challenges 
Strengths 
A major strength of the needs assessment process for the project was the initiation and 
strengthening of organization and staff relationships within each of the target communities. The 
initial stakeholder meetings the PAT partners facilitated in each community served to stimulate 
the thinking of the key stakeholders in the direction of violence against individuals with 
disabilities. The meetings promoted initial discussion about the project and about key 

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stakeholder organization missions. 
The attainment of stories, observations and impressions of voices across the key organizations 
serving individuals with disabilities within each targeted community was another strength of the 
needs assessment. The Project Access team aimed to involve domestic violence, rape crisis, and 
health service provider organizations as well as disability-specific organizations. The project 
team specifically identified health care organization voices as typically lacking in discussions 
about violence against individuals with disabilities. The project team cites as a victory the 
numerous health care professionals who were willing to come to the table to discuss the issues 
and to commit to participate in the project. 
An additional strength that emerged from the assessment process was that of the voices of selfadvocates. 
Many self-advocates indicated appreciation to the project team for providing them 
with an opportunity to voice their opinions and experiences about accessing services in their 
communities. 
Challenges 
After approval of the Needs Assessment Plan by the Office on Violence Against Women, the 
project team was advised by the University of Mississippi Medical Center Office of Research 
that the needs assessment process needed to be vetted by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) 
because of the participation of individuals with disabilities who might be considered within a 
vulnerable population. An application for an exempted review was submitted to the School of 
Nursing Associate Dean of Research for review. Upon review of the proposal, the 
recommendation was made to resubmit as an expedited review application format. Before the 
IRB application could be accepted for review, all project team members including project staff 
had to complete and pass an online 18-module human subjects research course. This required 
course completion and review delayed the implementation of the needs assessment process. 
Once project team members and staff had successfully completed this course, the IRB expedited 
review proposal was submitted and accepted for review by the IRB. The expedited review 
proposal was reviewed and the project was determined to not be under the purview of the IRB. 
Once that finding was obtained from the IRB, the needs assessment process was implemented. 
The project team encountered a challenge in involving the targeted numbers of individuals 
proposed in the needs assessment plan. It was difficult to bring established groups of selfadvocates 
together for focus groups because these self-advocates rarely come together as a 
group. This required some self-advocates participating via face-to-face interviews. 
As anticipated, most leaders required individual interviews as did most organization staff 
because of reduced staff numbers or the physical inability to get staff to come together in a focus 
group setting. During this period, there were also changes in the leadership of multiple 
organizations and the subsequent transition time between leaders. Because of these leadership 
changes during the needs assessment process, it was necessary to reintroduce and get buy-in for 
the project and needs assessment process from the new leaders. 

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Key Learning Areas and Findings 
The needs assessment was designed to provide information to the Project Access team about one 
rural and one urban Mississippi community in relation to the potential for collaborative efforts in 
their responses to women with disabilities who have experienced domestic violence or sexual 
assault. The themes were organized into key learning areas for this needs assessment: 
¥ strengths and gaps in crisis response in an urban and a rural community; 
¥ strengths and gaps in ongoing service delivery such as counseling, transportation and 
shelter in an urban and a rural community; and 
¥ similarities and differences in accessibility and delivery of services between urban and 
rural communities in Mississippi. 
Responses to these learning requests came from the following constituencies: 
¥ domestic violence service organizations, 
¥ rape crisis service organizations, 
¥ disability service organizations, 
¥ health care organizations; and 
¥ self-advocates (individuals with disabilities) 
The following section of the Needs Assessment Report highlights relevant findings for the 
targeted communities in the key learning areas. 

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Section 4 
Discussion of Key Findings and Their Implications 
Needs Assessment Findings 
The findings discussed in this section are organized based on the goal statements developed by 
the PAT for the needs assessment. The findings have not been prioritized nor is the listing order 
significant. Prioritizing of findings will occur during the strategic planning process. Quotes from 
interview and focus group participants have been placed throughout the discussion of findings to 
illustrate main themes. A summary of interview and focus group themes broken down by type 
of participant and by community may be found in Appendix A (pages 44-81). PAT partners 
referred back to this summary throughout the development of key findings and their 
implications. 
Strengths of Crisis Response and Ongoing Service Delivery in Pilot Communities 
Finding: There are many community-based organizations within both pilot sites that 
contribute in a positive way towards services provided for a person with a disability. 
Community-based organizations are the backbone of access to services for those individuals with 
disabilities. It was noted throughout the interviews and focus group sessions that without 
community-based services, most of the organizations involved in the needs assessment could not 
provide the services needed by people with disabilities. It was clear that none of the 
participating organizations had all of the services that might be needed by a client. Informal 
networking and cooperation among organizations have developed within both communities so 
individuals with disabilities might access needed services. 
Domestic violence, rape crisis, disability and health care service providers were asked what other 
community organizations, agencies, collaborations or partners they found helpful in providing 
services to individuals with disabilities. Organization staff in both pilot sites identified 
community-based non-profit organizations as crucial for attainment of services for individuals 
with disabilities. They agreed that non-profit organizations are key resources for obtaining items 
such as medical equipment and medications but that there are still major gaps in the fulfillment 
of some needed services such as housing and transportation. All participants agreed that the 
hospitals in both pilot sites do a good job in providing medical care for those with disabilities. 
Domestic violence, rape crisis, disability and health care organization leaders all agreed with 
staff that community-based non-profit organizations are necessary for attainment of services for 
individuals with disabilities. 

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Self-advocates were asked in individual interviews and focus groups what services in their 
community provides them with the best assistance. These individuals identified a wide range of 
services: medical, disability, education, rehabilitation, non-profits and crisis centers. 
Finding: Domestic violence, rape crisis, disability and health care service providers identified 
staff as the main strength of their organizations. 
Domestic violence, rape crisis, disability and health care service providers identified staff as 
being the primary strength of their organizations in providing services to persons with 
disabilities. Specifically, hospital staff from both pilot sites identified Sexual Assault Nurse 
Examiners (SANEs) and social workers as being strengths. Disability service providers 
concurred that their staff is their primary strength. All of the disability organizations have staff 
members who have disabilities and they identified their staffsÕ understanding of the experience 
of having a disability and their compassion toward the person seeking services as being 
beneficial for service provision. Domestic violence shelters from both pilot sites indicated that 
their willing, experienced staffs are strengths. Staff from all three shelters agreed that staff 
longevity is crucial to successful service delivery for those with disabilities. 
Health care organization leaders from both communities also identified SANEs as strengths of 
their organizations. Family violence shelter leaders agreed that experienced, committed, longemployed 
staff contribute to the strength of their organizations. 
Another strength identified by both organization leaders and staff is that organization staffs are 
willing to seek resources for individuals with disabilities wherever they may be. They are 
willing to network anywhere within the state to attain needed resources. 
Self-advocates related that there are specific things that make service providers the best: they 
have knowledge about disabilities and services needed, they acknowledge the disability, they are 
truthful, they acknowledge the person with the disability, they are compassionate, caring, nice, 
helpful, and they say Òthank youÓ. Self-advocates stated that service providers that are the best 
donÕt talk ÒatÓ or ÒaroundÓ youÑthey talk ÒtoÓ you. Several self-advocates indicated that the 
best service providers do not share too much information about someone else. They said that if 
service providers share too much about someone else then they would do the same with your 
information. 
ÒI like it when they talk to us and when they listen to us.Ó 
--self-advocate 
Gaps of Crisis Response and Ongoing Service Delivery in Pilot Communities 
Finding: Domestic violence, rape crisis, disability and health care service providers 
experience a wide range of comfort level when providing services to a person with a disability. 

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A major theme running throughout the needs assessment interviews and focus groups was that of 
comfort in providing services for individuals with disabilities. As might be expected, there was a 
wide range of comfort expressed by direct service providers. The PAT found that there was little 
to no training or experience in providing services to individuals with disabilities. The Project 
Access Team believes that the best service comes from providers who have a solid level of 
comfort when providing services to persons with disabilities. 
When asked about their comfort level in providing services to a person with a disability, direct 
service providers from both pilot sites indicated they experience a wide range of comfort levels. 
They ranged from not very comfortable to very comfortable. Two situations commonly caused 
providers to not be very comfortable: when the person seeking services had a psychiatric/mental 
health disability or when family members intervened. Health care and disability staff indicated a 
higher comfort level with all types of disabilities. 
Disability and health care organization leaders agreed that their staffs have a high comfort level 
in providing services for those with disabilities. Family violence shelter leaders all agreed that 
staff members in their organizations are never completely comfortable with providing services 
for someone who has a disability. They indicated that staff comfort level depends on the type of 
disability, severity of disability and funds available to provide services. All family violence 
shelter leaders indicated that those with a mental health disability provide the biggest challenge 
to staff comfort level. 
ÒI have taken care of patients who have mental illness associated with post traumatic stress 
disorder that scared me, their reactions to things like sights and certain sounds and even odors 
could just make them completely react very violently in just a split second. I also had one 
patient that I took care of that kind of fits this description. I never felt really comfortable around 
him, I never felt safe. I recognize it from a lot of people and IÕve seen this particularly with 
students who get very sickened by the sight of the disabilities, because where I worked thereÕs 
often guys that have had testicles blown off or arms blown off, legs blown off, eye sight gone or 
even significant combinations of all those. IÕve seen students whose reactions to the physical 
disabilities is palpable. Physical disability doesnÕt seem to affect me too much. The only other 
time I really felt uncomfortable was when I felt physically scared.Ó 
--health care provider (staff) 
Finding: There is a need for continuing training for all service providers as well as selfadvocates 
in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault and disabilities. 
Direct service providers in both communities were asked about gaps in the services of their 
organizations and communities in providing services for women with disabilities who are victims 
of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Participants indicated that there is a lack of knowledge 
about domestic violence, sexual assault and disabilities within their organizations and 
communities. They also indicated that there is a lack of knowledge about possible differences in 

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the experience of domestic violence and sexual assault when someone has a disability. These 
direct service providers discussed the need for cross training opportunities to decrease this lack 
of knowledge for organization staff. Domestic violence and rape crisis center leaders in the 
Jackson community agreed that staff training is needed to provide appropriate services to women 
with disabilities. 
Direct service providers from all organizations in both communities agreed that public awareness 
through education and training opportunities is crucial to persons with disabilities being able to 
access services. They indicated that self-advocates as well as citizens without disabilities need 
more awareness of the issues surrounding domestic violence and sexual assault including 
resources available. 
Self-advocates indicated there is a general lack of understanding by service providers that 
persons with disabilities have unique needs. They said that service providers need more 
education and training on all aspects of what it is like to live with a disability. They indicated 
that service providers need training on how to assess someone with a disability for abuse. 
ÒWhile we may not have a lot of education on how to counsel someone whoÕs been raped, we 
will have a better understanding on how it impacted them in terms of their disabilities. There are 
difficulties in leaving the situation because you donÕt have as many places to go or none that is 
acceptable, or a way to get there, so itÕs more difficult to leave the situation. So I think that we 
would understand that more than a lot of other people.Ó 
--self advocate 
Finding: There is a need for recognition and respect for individuals with disabilities. 
Self-advocates were asked what advice they would give a person who is serving people with 
disabilities about how to serve them better. Self-advocates, without exception, said that the 
service provider should acknowledge the person and their disability. 
ÒKnow that I know what IÕm talking about, itÕs my disability.Ó 
--self-advocate 
Service providers should be sensitive to all issues that might affect the person such as 
transportation challenges and limitations imposed by the disability. They also said the service 
provider should treat the person with the disability with respect Òno matter whatÓ. Selfadvocates 
said that staff should be accessible to the person and if staff cannot provide the needed 
service, find someone who can. They stressed that the service provider should follow-through 

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with what is promised and if they cannot then they should explain why they couldnÕt. Selfadvocates 
also put a premium on honesty from service providers. 
ÒSay what you mean and mean what you say.Ó 
--self-advocate 
Self-advocates expressed a desire for service providers to be trained on how to better understand 
people with disabilities. They indicated that understanding comes from listening to what is said. 
They recommended that service providers not assume anything about their clients but instead get 
to know them as people and if you are going to assume anything: 
ÒPut this on a bumper sticker: When you see, speak or hear from a person with a 
disabilityÉ.ASSUME COMPETENCE!Ó 
--self-advocate 
Self-advocates gave examples of what a service provider said or did that made them not want to 
share information with the provider: 
ÒJust because we have a disability we are treated as children.Ó 
--self-advocate 
Finding: There are many physical, programmatic and attitudinal barriers for individuals with 
disabilities when attempting to access services. 
A common finding among domestic violence, rape crisis center, disability and health care service 
provider staff and leaders is that many disability-related services, medical services and other 
community-based services are not available after hours or on the weekends. Participants 
indicated that this presents a huge challenge for those trying to provide services for people with 
disabilities. In addition, many staff do not have knowledge of all of the potential community 
resources that are available and feel like they are constantly Òtracking downÓ accessible services. 
The Jackson Rape Crisis Center provides counseling services for individuals from Vicksburg 
because Vicksburg does not have a crisis center. Domestic violence and rape crisis staff and 
leaders from Jackson did not indicate that providing services for the Vicksburg community 

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presented a challenge however, leaders in Vicksburg stated that not having a crisis center in their 
community presented a huge challenge for their staff. Accessing services at the Jackson Rape 
Crisis Center presents challenges in the areas of transportation and staff. Not only does 
accessing services in Jackson require a physical means of transportation from Vicksburg but it 
also requires funding staff to be away from the domestic violence shelter for an extended period. 
All organization staff and leaders in both pilot sites agreed that both communities need more 
programs for individuals with disabilities. They all agreed that funding would be necessary to 
attain that goal. Several service providers recommended that additional accessible recreational 
programs be developed in each community for those who have disabilities as well. 
Another common finding among domestic violence, rape crisis center, and health care service 
provider staff and leaders is that better service provision will come with better understanding of 
the lived experience of having a disability. Most of these participants expressed a higher comfort 
level in providing services for an individual with a physical disability. They expressed less 
comfort in providing services to individuals with psychiatric or mental health disabilities. 
Speaking about persons with psychiatric or mental health disabilities: 
ÒI stay away from those because I know that I canÕt handle it, so I havenÕt put myself in that 
position.Ó 
--domestic violence service provider 
Many service providers agreed that there are other attitudinal barriers to accessing services. 
They discussed the issue of those with hidden disabilities who are challenged within the 
community when they access services. For instance, one person gave an example of someone 
with a cardiac disability being challenged by local citizens for parking in an accessible parking 
spot. 
ÒPeople prejudging them to some degree, because a lot of times you see a person with a 
disability and you think, if theyÕd been sexually abused then they brought it on themselves or 
something. People being prejudice against people with a disabilityÉlooking upon them in a 
different manner.Ó 
--direct service provider 
Self-advocates were asked ÒWhat is the biggest barrier youÕve faced when you tried to get 
services?Ó These participants replied that the biggest barriers included waiting for services, 
double talk from staff, confusion about eligibility qualifications for services, finding the right 
person to talk with, staff not listening and to get staff to understand needs. All except one self

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advocate agreed that they would not go back to an organization for services if their needs were 
not accommodated the first time they went. One self-advocate described a time when they did 
not go back to an organization because they were not accommodated: 
ÒThere was a time when I was in a restaurant and they totally ignored me and talked to the 
person I was with. I placed my order and I got up and left.Ó 
--self-advocate 
Self-advocates also indicated a need for more accessible services to be available. They said they 
wanted not just more types of services but more choices of the types of services that are 
available. They do not like it that some services have a monopoly in their area and they are 
forced to use those services or none at all. 
Finding: There are many education and capacity-building challenges for organizations that 
serve individuals with disabilities. 
When direct service provider staff and organization leaders of all organizations in both pilot 
communities were asked if staff have received education or training on all types of disabilities 
and how to respond to persons with disabilities who seek services they all responded that this 
was a gap in staff preparation. Health care organization staff and leaders reported some 
education and training in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault and some types of 
disabilities. Domestic violence and sexual assault service providers and leaders identified 
possible orientation training or follow-up in-service on domestic violence, sexual assault and 
possibly some types of disabilities. Disability organization staff and leaders indicated that they 
received ongoing training on disabilities but rarely any training on domestic violence or sexual 
assault of an individual with a disability. They all agreed that more education and training 
opportunities for organization staff would increase the organizationÕs capacity to provide 
appropriate services for those with disabilities who have been abused. 
Finding: Communication between and among organizations and individual service providers 
related to services for individuals with disabilities remain a challenge. 
Communication between and among organizations who provide services for individuals with 
disabilities who experience domestic violence or sexual assault is seen as an ongoing challenge 
by organization staff and leaders from both pilot communities. Specifically, being able to 
communicate with needed organizations after hours and on the weekends was seen as a major 
challenge. Being able to get follow-up information on referrals was seen as a barrier to service 
provision. Health care providers especially indicated frustration at making referrals and never 
seeing or hearing from the patient again, thus not knowing if the person received needed 
resources. 

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Similarities and differences in accessibility and delivery of services between urban and 
rural communities in Mississippi, including a review of the policies and practices already in 
place. 
Finding: Effecting policy and procedure changes within many of the targeted organizations 
will be a long and arduous process. 
Interviews and focus groups revealed similarities and differences in accessibility and delivery of 
services between the pilot communities. All direct service staff and leaders in both communities 
indicated that their organization strives to provide accessible services to those who have 
disabilities. What became clear in the discussions was that no one organization was able to 
provide completely accessible services. All organizations reported that they counted on other 
community organizations to serve as referral sources for their clients. Physical, programmatic 
and attitudinal barriers presented challenges for all organizations. 
When asked how change occurs in their organization, leaders indicated that change could start at 
the staff or management level and then would have to go through the process adopted by their 
organization. Non-profit organizations indicated that changes must ultimately be approved by 
their Board of Directors. Leaders of state organizations indicated change happens in a very slow 
manner: 
ÒUnless some catastrophic event happens that causes publicity, legal issues, risk management, or 
personnel issues. That will drive a quick response related to protecting the patient, protecting the 
organization, or protecting the employees--and really in that order. I know the patient comes 
first.Ó 
--health care organization leader 
The leaders of state organizations agreed that changing policy and procedures within their 
domain would be a very long and arduous process. Leaders of non-profit organizations indicated 
changing policy and procedures would require going through their Boards of Directors. They 
discussed that a successful policy and procedure change would depend a lot on funding required 
for the change and whether funds were available. They stated that funding for new processes 
and services was always a challenge. 
When organization leaders were asked how budget decisions are made in their organization, 
there was a wide range of answers. Leaders in state organizations discussed the state budgeting 
process that starts at the department management level and goes through the state legislature. 
They indicated that politics frequently plays a big role in budget approval. Non-profit community 
organization leaders (domestic violence shelters, rape crisis center, disability advocacy, United 
Way, etc.) indicated that the budget starts with the executive directors with input from staff and 
must be approved by Boards of Directors. 

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Potential partnerships and collaborations among organizations to provide an appropriate 
collaborative community response and delivery of services. 
Finding: Community-wide communication is paramount to a successful collaborative 
community response. 
Staff and leaders from all participating organizations in both pilot sites indicated that having 
community-wide communication among service providers and organizations was imperative for 
an appropriate and successful community response and delivery of services. Communication is 
believed to be enhanced by intensive networking among collaborating organizations. 
Participants agreed that some type of community advisory board would promote communication 
and collaboration among organizations. They suggested that regular meetings of the advisory 
board would support enhanced communications. 
Participants also suggested that a system should be in place to make sure that people received 
appropriate and accessible follow-up care after they leave one organization and are referred to 
another. This system would include a feedback component so the referring source would know 
the individual was able to continue receiving needed services. Self-advocates also agreed that 
there should be follow-up and that follow-up should include accountability for making sure 
people get the services they need: 
ÒI think that we should have a continuation of communication (follow-up). We want to know 
that the person is being taken care of. We want to know that the job is being doneÉwe need 
accountability.Ó 
--self-advocate 
Education and cross training was identified as one other needed component for not only 
increasing knowledge but also increasing cross-organization networking and communication 
opportunities. One health care service provider stated: 
Ò If only we had a little more contact with each other, maybe if they came in [to the hospital]. 
For example if housing, medical equipment companies would come in and do in-services at 
lunchÉwe tend to refer to people who come in more often because we are familiar with them 
and we know them, build more of a friendship.Ó 
--health care service provider 
Self-advocates agreed that better communication among service providers and their 
organizations would enhance the services they receive in the community. When asked how they 
find out about things that are going on in their community, self-advocates responded that they 

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depend on these information sources: local newspapers, word of mouth, Internet, email, public 
community meetings, television, referrals and telephone calls. Self-advocates indicated that they 
use various methods to seek services in their communities: their circle of friends, the telephone, 
personal relationships with care providers, service provider referrals and through attendance at 
disability conferences. 
Self-advocates were asked what the best way is to get information to women with disabilities 
about services available to them in their communities. They again noted a variety of ways of 
obtaining this information. They said that medical personnel should make the information 
available to them. Information could also be communicated via the US mail, churches, 
newspapers, announcements at trainings and meetings, via telephone, printed materials 
(including flyers), grocery stores, schools and through someone going door-to-door. They also 
identified community gatherings, health fairs, drug stores, Wal-Mart, the library, radio programs, 
where they work and putting flyers or brochures on cars as additional ways they believe 
information about services could be made available to them. 
Finding: A collaborative community response may be enhanced by having as many service 
providers under one roof as possible. 
Direct service provider staff from all organizations in both pilot communities indicated that 
having as many service providers as possible under one roof would strengthen a collaborative 
community response. Participants indicated that this type of service delivery system would make 
it easier for the person with a disability to obtain prompt, accessible services. During interviews 
and focus groups, these participants also discussed how this Òone-stop shopÓ format would 
increase communication among service providers and would provide easy access to services. 
This one-stop shop collaborative would have a transportation plan in place for persons accessing 
the system. Staff noted that if a one-stop shop format was not possible then there should be a 
comprehensive directory available for all organizations that detailed resources available in each 
community. 
Organization leaders from both pilot communities did not indicate a desire to have all services 
under one roof but did agree that there needs to be a plan for collaboration and there should be an 
emergency response team available 24 hours per day seven days a week to respond when needed. 
These emergency response teams would have disability experts on them. Leaders and staff from 
both pilot communities recommended that a trauma checklist or protocol be developed for 
emergency response teams. 
ÒThere would be one localized location, anyone with or without a disability wouldnÕt have to go 
to several different places to receive services, because all of those resources would be in one 
place. Just one huge coalition, with everyone there with one goal: to serve each individual.Ó 
--direct service provider 

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When asked about what advice they would give a service provider to help them better provide 
services for those with disabilities, self-advocates also indicated a desire for community 
organization staff collaboration and coordination of services. 
ÒMaybe coordination between them especially for people who needed to access multiple 
agencies, so it wouldnÕt be like starting over from scratch every time. Have one person who 
could shepherd you through the processing, develop a relationship with them. They would be 
able to understand your needs, to be able to communicate, advocate for you, to carry you to 
services if needed.Ó 
--self-advocate 
It is important to note that interview and focus group participants noted that a collaborative 
community response should be available for both those with and without disabilities. 
Finding: A collaborative community response would enhance the power of each organization 
to respond to those seeking services. 
Domestic violence, rape crisis, disability and health care service providers and organization 
leaders all agreed that a collaborative community response would strengthen the ability of each 
organization to respond in an appropriate way for those seeking services. Organization staff 
and leaders also suggested that a plan for collaboration along with an advisory board and 
significant networking among collaborators would strengthen each organizationÕs capacity to 
respond when needed. All participants agreed that communication is key to a successful 
collaboration. In addition, disability direct service providers suggested that all collaborative 
partners should work together toward a solution for identified problems. This would ensure that 
all organizations are aware of and supportive of policies and procedures for responding to those 
accessing services. 
Implications of Key Findings 
Implications of Key Findings for Individuals 
¥ Almost without exception there was recognition of the need for continued training on 
the interactions of domestic violence, sexual assault and disabilities by organization 
leadership and staff. Across the board there were few service providers who had received 
any formal training in this area. Few service providers had received organizationprovided 
training such as in-services or continuing education opportunities in the area of 
violence against individuals with disabilities. Without exception, service providers stated 
they would welcome training opportunities. 

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¥ Many self-advocates discussed the need for service providers to recognize them as a 
person first and to offer them respect as a person. They indicated service providers 
need to listen to them and respect their choices. Self-advocates discussed the stigma 
related to having a disability and many indicated feeling like second-class citizens. Many 
self-advocates offered training of service providers as one means to improving this 
disparity. 
¥ It became apparent from the interviews and focus groups this project will not be able to 
impact some of the key challenges for individuals with disabilities in the targeted 
communities. Poverty, a waiver program with over 2,000 on the wait-list and 
inadequate to no transportation assistance are just a few of the challenges discussed 
by both service providers as well as self-advocates. The Project Access Team learned 
disparities in these services occurred in both rural and urban areas with the rural targeted 
location having more challenges. Even though the grant will most likely not be able to 
impact these challenges, the Project Access Team believes it is important to have the 
discussions in a variety of settings because all of these challenges affect the services a 
person might need and an organization might provide. 
Implications of Key Findings for Organizations 
¥ Physical, programmatic and attitudinal accessibility remain significant barriers to 
obtaining services for individuals with disabilities. Accessibility assessments were 
discussed by participants as one means by which an organization might determine where 
these barriers exist and actions might be taken to alleviate the barriers. 
¥ There is a clear need for skill training and capacity-building among organizations that 
serve individuals with disabilities. Formal education programs, continuing education 
offerings, and in-service programs were offered as suggestions for skill training and 
capacity-building within organizations. 
¥ There is a clear desire by direct service providers to have better communications 
among other service provider organizations. Several participants indicated they would 
be more willing to make referrals if they knew the services other organizations provided 
and if they knew the service providers in other organizations. 
¥ Organization leadership and staff consistently indicated a willingness to implement 
policies and procedures to effect positive change within their organizations related to 
the provision of services to those with disabilities. This willingness came with the caveat 
that changing policies and procedures in some organizations is a long, complicated 
process. Several individuals suggested a review of organization current policies and 
procedures related to individuals with disabilities would be needed to begin the change 
process within their organization. 
Implications of Key Findings for Systems 
¥ Communication among community organizations is key to developing a system-wide 
approach to responding to individuals with disabilities who have been abused. 

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Communication was repeatedly identified as the first step to building a collaborative 
response. 
¥ Many participants (both service providers as well as self-advocates) indicated a desire to 
have as many services as possible under one roof. Reasons given included the desire 
to have a personal relationship with referral organizations/providers, the ability of the 
person seeking services to move freely within one environment to seek needed services, 
and the possibility of the person being able to obtain all needed services within one 
timeframe. 
¥ A collaborative systems approach to service provision would allow all resources to 
bind together to leverage their knowledge and skills to provide best practices when 
serving individuals. Organizations could collaborate on education and training 
opportunities and other activities that would positively impact the services provided to an 
individual with a disability who experienced abuse. 
Summary of Key Findings 
The key findings of this needs assessment are 
1. There is a need for continuing training for all service providers as well as self-advocates 
in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault and disabilities. 
2. There is a need for recognition and respect for individuals with disabilities. 
3. There are many physical, programmatic and attitudinal barriers for individuals with 
disabilities when attempting to access services. 
4. There are many education and capacity-building challenges for organizations that serve 
individuals with disabilities. 
5. Communication between and among organizations and individual service providers 
related to services for individuals with disabilities remain a challenge. 
6. Effecting policy and procedure changes within many of the targeted organizations will be 
a long and arduous process. 
7. Community-wide communication is paramount to a successful collaborative community 
response. 
8. A collaborative community response may be enhanced by having as many service 
providers under one roof as possible. 
9. A collaborative community response would enhance the power of each organization to 
respond to those seeking services. 

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Selection of Organizations from Pilot Communities 
The implications identified from the needs assessment data allowed the PAT partners to achieve 
the three global goals of the process: 
1. to gather information to determine the specific organizations within the selected 
communities to include in the project implementation phase, 
2. to answer the projectÕs questions to identify strengths, challenges, and needs for 
organizations, staff and self-advocates within each community, and 
3. to identify potential partnerships among community organizations. 
The findings allowed the PAT partners to select organizations from each of the targeted 
communities to participate in the strategic planning and implementation process. The project 
team determined the findings contained important implications for strategic planning for the 
individual, organizations and for systemic change. 
Selection of Organization Pilot Sites for Project Focus 
The PAT partners knew meaningful systems change would not be feasible in all of the 
organizations identified to participate in the needs assessment in each community. Project 
partners developed the following criteria for determining which organizations would be included 
in the strategic planning and implementation process: 
1. Pilot organizations would demonstrate quality buy-in to the project through 
verbalization and through their active participation in initial meetings with the 
project team. These organizations would express a strong interest in improving 
domestic violence and sexual assault crisis services and ongoing services for 
individuals with disabilities. Leadership in the organizations would be willing to 
be an active participant in the project. 
2. Pilot organizations would provide crisis-related services or ongoing services to 
individuals with disabilities who experience abuse including advocacy services. 
3. Pilot organizations would have the capacity to be a part of a Disability Abuse 
Response Team (DART) as well as to evaluate and change policies and 
procedures to improve access to services. The organization would be willing to 
change or modify how the organization serves people with disabilities. 
4. Pilot organizations would be willing to work with the project team to receive 
technical assistance and to develop collaborative partnerships within the 
community. 
The analysis of each of the above criteria for each community reflects findings from the needs 
assessment that the project team felt was most relevant to the organization selection. 
Jackson, Mississippi 

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Criterion 1: Which pilot organizations in Jackson demonstrate quality buy-in through verbal and 
active participation in initial meetings with the project team? Which express a strong interest in 
improving domestic violence and sexual assault crisis services and ongoing services for 
individuals with disabilities? Are leaders in the organization willing to be an active participant 
in the project? 
The PAT partners agree all of the Jackson organizations that attended the initial meetings with 
the project team demonstrated quality buy-in through verbal and active participation in the 
meetings and the organizations all expressed a strong interest in improving domestic violence 
and sexual assault crisis services and ongoing services for individuals with disabilities. All of 
the leaders in the organizations were willing to be active participants in the project. The interest 
and enthusiasm was strong from all involved. 
Criterion 2: Which pilot organizations in Jackson provide crisis-related services or ongoing 
services to individuals with disabilities who experience abuse including advocacy services? 
Further analysis of the organizations in Jackson showed Catholic Charities Family Shelter, The 
Center for Violence Prevention (the second family shelter in the Jackson-Metro area), Catholic 
Charities Rape Crisis Center and the University of Mississippi Medical Center provided crisisrelated 
as well as ongoing services to individuals with disabilities who experience abuse. 
Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center in Jackson also provided those services to individuals in 
Vicksburg. 
Criterion 3: Which pilot organizations in Jackson have the capacity to be a part of a Disability 
Abuse Response Team (DART) as well as to evaluate and change policies and procedures to 
improve access to services? Which organizations would be willing to change or modify how 
they serve people with disabilities? 
Catholic Charities Family Shelter, The Center for Violence Prevention, the University of 
Mississippi Medical Center, and Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center were found to all have the 
capacity to be part of a DART in Jackson. All organizations have the ability to evaluate and 
change policies and procedures to improve access to services and were willing to change or 
modify how they serve people with disabilities. 
Criterion 4: Which pilot organizations in Jackson would be willing to work with the project 
team to receive technical assistance and to develop collaborative partnerships within the 
community? 
Catholic Charities Family Shelter, The Center for Violence Prevention, the University of 
Mississippi Medical Center, and Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center agreed to work with the 
project team to receive technical assistance and to develop collaborative partnerships within the 
Jackson community. These four Jackson organizations were chosen to participate in the 
implementation phase of this grant project. 

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Vicksburg, Mississippi 
Criterion 1: Which pilot organizations in Vicksburg demonstrate quality buy-in through verbal 
and active participation in initial meetings with the project team? Which express a strong 
interest in improving domestic violence and sexual assault crisis services and ongoing services 
for individuals with disabilities? Are leaders in the organization willing to be an active 
participant in the project? 
The PAT partners agrees all of the Vicksburg organizations that attended the initial meetings 
with the project team demonstrated quality buy-in through verbal and active participation in the 
meetings, and the organizations all expressed a strong interest in improving domestic violence 
and sexual assault crisis services and ongoing services for individuals with disabilities. All of 
the leaders in the organizations were willing to be active participants in the project. The interest 
and enthusiasm was strong from all involved. 
Criterion 2: Which pilot organizations in Vicksburg provide crisis-related services or ongoing 
services to individuals with disabilities who experience abuse including advocacy services? 
Further analysis of the organizations in Vicksburg showed Haven House, the family shelter; 
Warren County Mental Health Services and River Regions Medical Center provided crisisrelated 
as well as ongoing services to individuals with disabilities who experience abuse. 
Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center in Jackson also provided those services to individuals in 
Vicksburg. LIFE of Mississippi provided ongoing services to individuals with disabilities both 
in Vicksburg and Jackson. 
Criterion 3: Which pilot organizations in Vicksburg have the capacity to be a part of a Disability 
Abuse Response Team (DART) as well as to evaluate and change policies and procedures to 
improve access to services? Which organizations would be willing to change or modify how 
they serve people with disabilities? 
Haven House, River Regions Medical Center, LIFE of Mississippi, Warren County Mental 
Health Services and Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center were found to all have the capacity to 
be part of a DART in Vicksburg. All organizations have the ability to evaluate and change 
policies and procedures to improve access to services and were willing to change or modify how 
they serve people with disabilities. 
Criterion 4: Which pilot organizations in Vicksburg would be willing to work with the project 
team to receive technical assistance and to develop collaborative partnerships within the 
community? 
Haven House, River Regions Medical Center, LIFE of Mississippi, Warren County Mental 
Health Services and Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center agreed to work with the project team 
to receive technical assistance and to develop collaborative partnerships within the Vicksburg 
community. These four Vicksburg organizations were chosen to participate in the 
implementation phase of this grant project. 

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The needs assessment findings assisted the PAT partners in the final determination of 
participating organizations in each community during the Strategic Plan implementation phase: 
¥ Jackson area: 
o Catholic Charities Family Shelter 
o The Center for Violence Prevention 
o Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center 
o LIFE of Mississippi 
¥ Vicksburg area: 
o Haven House 
o Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center (same as housed in Jackson) 
o LIFE of Mississippi (same as housed in Jackson) 
Background Information on Selected Organizations 
Jackson Sites 
¥ Catholic Charities Family Shelter 
Catholic CharitiesÕ Domestic Violence Services Center is committed to breaking the cycle of 
family violence. The Center offers counseling and support to help victims recover from their 
abuse and develop healthier future relationships. The Center also offers services for adults who 
are willing to unlearn their abusive behavior. Services are available to those involved in spouseabuse, 
child-abuse, sibling violence, violence by a child against a family, and violence against 
elderly family members. The Jackson Shelter for Battered Families is designed to help victims of 
spouse abuse and their children during the critical time in life. The shelter provides 30-day 
temporary emergency shelter, support and counseling (including emotional support, short-term 
counseling and assistance in problem solving) and advocacy through information and referral. 
Catholic Charities provides therapeutic daycare with an atmosphere free of violence; assuring 
children are treated with respect. Services include therapy for children, tutoring, sporting events, 
arts and crafts, potty training, file trips and parental development. Second stage transitional 
housing provides shelter residents and homeless families from other emergency shelters and 
homeless facilities with housing for up to one year with 3-month extensions available up to 24 
months. This time is given to achieve independence from an abusive relationship, and to provide 
extended housing and supportive services for families to become independent. The temporary 
housing with supportive services helps pave the way toward self-sufficiency. The court advocacy 
program provides support and assistance to victims of domestic violence. The purpose of the 

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program is to provide victims access to court services. By having a liaison, a victim can feel 
better prepared for the court process and judicial intervention. Services include a court escort, 
advocacy, education and training, follow-up monitoring and making referrals. The legal 
assistance clinic provides support and legal representation to victims of domestic violence, 
sexual assault, and stalking in Hinds, Rankin, and Madison counties. The purpose is to provide 
victims civil litigation services for emergency and non-emergency protective orders. Other legal 
services include child custody, restraining orders, housing claims, financial claims, and other 
feasible claims arising out of or stemming from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
Individual, family and group counseling services are available for those whose lives are 
disrupted by family violence. Whether the abuse is physical, sexual or psychological, counseling 
can help family members to cope with the effects of the violence and to develop healthier 
relationships. The Family Life Program of Catholic Charities supervises these outpatient 
services. 
¥ The Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) 
CVPÕs mission is: Through our partnership with multiple community organizations and a 
committed staff focused on the needs of the domestic violence client, the Center for Violence 
Prevention advocates that every person has the right to a life free from violence. CVP is designed 
to foster successful rehabilitation from violent and abusive relationships so victims can take back 
control of their lives and learn to live independently, free from abuse. The program requires 
clients to take an active role in their case management, participate in therapy, assist in the 
maintenance of the shelter, prepare their meals, and take part in training. ClientsÕ children not 
enrolled in school or another day care are required to attend the CVP daycare during normal 
operational hours. This service allows the women to work or continue their education. Serving a 
10 county area in central Mississippi (Rankin, Madison, Hinds, Simpson, Issaquena, Sharkey, 
Warren, Yazoo, Copiah and Claiborne) since the 1970s, CVP is committed to providing a 
continuum of services to address the growing populations of at-risk children and adults in the 
area as it offers an alternative to the continuing cycle of violence, abuse, neglect, and related 
traumas. CVP has a 24-hour crisis and referral line to assist in immediate needs. Trained 
personnel provide a wide range of references and resources. CVP provides a home-like setting 
designed to assist families in need of a safe environment. Services are in place to help these 
individuals begin a productive life, independent of abusive relationships. Professionals provide 
individual, family, and group counseling, and out-patient counseling is provided to the 
community on a sliding fee scale. CVP provides education on domestic violence and related 
issues to interested organizations and community groups free of charge. CVP can house up to 17 
in-shelter and up to 30 in non-shelter. CVP staff includes an executive director, an office 
manager, a shelter director, one case manager, a daycare director, a therapist, three house 
managers, a BIP/court advocate, and four support personnel. 
¥ Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center 

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From its very early yearsÑ1837, the Catholic Church in Mississippi has sought to serve the 
disadvantaged and those unable to care for themselves. Catholic Charities, Inc. received its 
charter of incorporation from the state of Mississippi in October 1963. Since 1977, the Diocese 
of Jackson has served 65 counties. The Rape Crisis Center is a program established by Catholic 
Charities to help eliminate or reduce the incidence of rape and sexual assault through prevention 
and education. Additionally, the Center provides the coordination of services to victims of rape 
and sexual assault and to their families and friends. All services are offered free of charge. 
Services offered include a 24-hour crisis hotline, mental health intervention, crisis intervention, 
emergency shelter, long- and short-term counseling, community awareness, and court and law 
enforcement escorts. 
¥ Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) of Mississippi 
LIFE is a center for independent living under Title VII, Part C of the Rehabilitation Act. In 
existence since October 1993, LIFE is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing 
the lives of individuals with significant disabilities in Mississippi. LIFE has provided core 
independent living services to more than 30,000 individuals with disabilities throughout the state. 
Since its inception, LIFE staff, board members, AmeriCorps members and volunteers have 
provided disability awareness and information to over 150,000 individuals, groups and 
organizations. LIFE has offices in Tupelo, Greenwood, McComb, Hattiesburg, and Biloxi and 
the state office in Jackson. The regional offices allow LIFE to provide services throughout the 
state of Mississippi to anyone with a disability, regardless of the type of disability, their age or 
their location in the state. All LIFE offices are managed and staffed primarily by individuals with 
disabilities. LIFE is governed by a Board of Trustees with 100% representation of people with 
disabilities. LIFE provides the four core services of independent living (peer support, 
information and referral, skills training and advocacy) as required by law, at no cost. LIFE also 
provides other independent living services to consumers with disabilities as needed and when 
funding is available. These services include, but are not limited to, home and vehicle 
modifications, durable medical equipment and supplies, adaptive technology, rehabilitation 
engineering and much more. These I.L. services can be costly; therefore, LIFE staff seeks to 
develop other resources, conduct fund raising events, and apply for grant funding through other 
organizations and organizations. Currently, LIFE benefits from four local United Way 
organizations in North, Central and South Mississippi for the provision of home and vehicle 
modifications to individuals. LIFE has grants or contracts with six other organizations and 
organizations to provide such services as transition for young adults with special health care 
needs, transition for people currently living in nursing homes to relocate them back into the 
community, information dissemination and referral for parents of children with disabilities, and 
information and training regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
The director of LIFE is emphatic about the organizationÕs role in ensuring that women with 
disabilities and women of children with disabilities who experience domestic violence and sexual 

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assault have full access to the programs and services they need. LIFEÕs Jackson office is the state 
office for the organization. The director and assistant director have their offices in Jackson. LIFE 
staffs three independent living specialists in the office, one of which is a female. As with many 
organizations serving people with disabilities, LIFE has served victims of domestic violence and 
sexual assault informally because it was necessary for them to do so. 
Vicksburg Sites 
¥ Haven House 
Haven House family Shelter, Inc. (Haven House) is a non-profit, non-governmental victim 
service organization, headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Established in 1985, the program 
serves domestic violence victims in the Highway Patrol District 1, which includes Warren, 
Sharkey, Issaquena, Yazoo, Hinds, Rankin, Simpson and Madison counties. Haven House, has a 
22-bed shelter capacity, and provides protection for adults and their children who are victims of 
domestic violence. The program offers an array of services in-shelter and off-site, including 
food, clothes, and personal items; 24-hour crisis line support and safety planning, information 
and referral, and linking; in-shelter referrals; group and individual counseling and support 
services; case management and advocacy; therapeutic childcare; transitional housing; and 
transportation. The shelter operates on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week basis year-round, as a shared 
living arrangement in which the adults and children participate in scheduled activities and 
household chores. Haven House staff and volunteers serve as facilitators for the helping network 
in the community; assisting victims and their children to obtain medical care, counseling, legal 
advice, Crime VictimsÕ Compensation, housing, TANF and Food Stamps, employment, and 
whatever else is necessary to empower victims to regain control of their lives and to make 
effective decisions. 
Haven House priorities are 1) maintaining the services that are essential to enable victims to 
break the cycle of violence and build safe, healthy and productive lives, and 2) improving the 
efficacy of available victim support through the development of a coordinated community 
response to the needs of domestic violence victims and their children. The overall goal is to 
foster and support a coordinated response among community law enforcement, medical, 
prosecution, courts and victim service organizations, bringing about a more victim-centered 
response to domestic violence and reducing domestic violence crime and victimization. Haven 
House has a non-discrimination and accessibility policy that is provided in each client intake 
folder. Clients sign and acknowledgement of their review of this policy. The policy is reviewed 
with all new staff members and is reviewed with all staff annually. 
¥ Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center 
See Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center information listed under the Jackson area. 
¥ LIFE of Mississippi 

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See the information on LIFE listed for Jackson area. As a statewide organization, LIFE has 
always served VicksburgÕs residents with disabilities. LIFEÕs involvement with the Vicksburg 
community will be further enhanced by the fact that the assistant director, who is the mother of a 
child with a disability, grew up in Vicksburg and currently lives in a community between 
Jackson and Vicksburg. 
Concerns arose related to Catholic Charities Rape Crisis Center and LIFE of Mississippi being 
included in the selected organizations because each organization covers both communities. 
Concerns included the workload that would be required of both organizations and the stress that 
that might put on the organization. PAT partners discussed issues of these organizations 
covering both communities during the work of the grant with each Executive Director. The 
organization Executive Directors each indicated their desire to be a part of the strategic plan 
planning and implementation process and agreed to dedicate one staff member to each 
community for purposes of the grant. These staff members will work together to make sure 
organization participation is clearly coordinated and in harmony. 
Strategic Planning 
After this Needs Assessment Report has been approved by the Office on Violence Against 
Women, the PAT partners will engage in a comprehensive strategic planning process. The 
project team will request a day and a half strategic planning session with Accessing Safety 
Initiative Associates from the Vera Institute of Justice. The Vera Institute Associate will 
facilitate a planning discussion to assist the PAT partners to further narrow and define its 
strategic plan and implementation focus. 
After the initial strategic planning session, the PAT partners will engage in sincere discussions 
among its project team members and with key stakeholders from the two selected communities. 
These discussions will evolve into a strategic plan to address the needs, accessibility and barriers 
identified in each of the communities. The discussions will also focus on community strengths 
and the potential for developing collaborative community responses for women with disabilities 
who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Sustainability will be a key 
component of the final strategic plan and will be developed with the commitment of each 
partnering organization to incorporate all activities through systemic change both throughout the 
grant period and beyond. 

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Appendix A 
Interview Themes 
Interviews with Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis 
Organization Leaders 
Interview Question: How good is your organization at providing services to people with a 
disability? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Accessibility 
¥ Set up for those who are self sufficient 
¥ Not set up for those with severe mental 
illness 
¥ Do good job with basic requirements 
Accessibility 
¥ Provide services for those as far as are 
capable 
¥ Collaborate with other organizations locally 
or statewide if not able to provide services 
¥ Services provided are based on individual 
needs 
Interview Question: What other community organizations, collaborations or partners has your 
organization found helpful in providing services to individuals with disabilities? Not helpful? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Collaboration 
¥ Difficult to find help for those with 
disabilities 
¥ Strive to use local organizations 
¥ Some local organizations donÕt have 
equipment to help those with disabilities 
¥ Need to be able to access resources 
¥ Need to have more collaborations, more 
networking 
Collaboration 
¥ Generally find hospitals, physicians, nonprofits 
and mental health centers are will to 
make effort to deal with what people need 
¥ Sometimes cannot find resources or 
organizations donÕt have capacity to provide 
services 
Interview Question: What are the strengths in both your organization and in the community in 
providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual 
assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Staff Staff 

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¥ Committed staff 
¥ Need more Òstaff, money, stuff, programsÓ to 
improve staff strengths in working with 
individuals with disabilities 
¥ Ability to try to access resources donÕt have 
Community 
¥ Being able to collaborate with community 
organizations would be a strength for services 
¥ Long-term staff who are Òtuned inÓ to 
identifying peopleÕs needs and finding 
resources 
¥ Dedication of staff 
Community 
¥ Strength waxes and wanes 
¥ History of working together to find resources 
for people 
¥ Strong United Way which works hard to 
strengthen other community organizations 
¥ Strive to have as little service duplication as 
possible 
Interview Question: What are the gaps in services in both your organization and in the 
community in providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic 
violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Services 
¥ Need training on how to provide services to 
women with disabilities 
Statewide Communication 
¥ Need communication about problems in 
working with individuals with disabilities 
¥ Need to be proactive in problem-solving 
Services 
¥ Being able to expand offsite/outreach 
activities 
¥ Do not have a rape crisis center in Vicksburg 
¥ Victims of sexual assault who receive 
counseling services must go to JacksonÕs Rape 
Crisis Center 
Staff 
¥ Not enough staff to expand services 
¥ Not enough advocates to provide court 
support 
Interview Question: What do you need to do your job serving individuals with disabilities more 
efficiently? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Communication 
¥ More contact with citizens around the state 
¥ Stronger listening skills to use with citizens 
¥ Stronger domestic violence network 
communication 
Funding 
¥ Need money to provide services 

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¥ Access to emergency information 
Resources 
¥ Resources outside of what is provided at the 
shelter 
¥ Emergency response team containing a cross 
section of the community and disability 
organizations 
¥ Access to emergency backup when have a 
person with a disability who needs shelter 
Interview Question: What do you see as barriers to providing effective service to victims of 
domestic violence and sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Knowledge 
¥ Need training on how to provide services to 
women with disabilities 
Staff Fear 
¥ Fear of not knowing what to do 
¥ Fear of lawsuits 
Staff 
¥ Need medical staff to provide needed 
medical services for women with disabilities 
¥ Need adequate shelter staff to provide 
services 
Safety 
¥ Need safe environment to go to while issues 
of domestic violence are being sorted out 
Funding 
¥ Need funding to remove barriers 
Services 
¥ Very few services for elders and most elderly 
have disabilities 
¥ Poor shelter accommodations for elder 
victims 
¥ Lack of Rape Crisis Center in Vicksburg 
Transportation 
¥ Problem with transporting victims of sexual 
assault to Jackson for counseling and followup 
services 
¥ Time required to transport clients to Jackson 
Knowledge 
¥ Few elders recognize themselves as victims 
of violence 
Interview Question: Has your staff been trained on all types of disabilities and how to respond to 
persons with disabilities who seek services in your organization? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Disability Training 
¥ None on disabilities 
Disability Training 
¥ Staff have been trained on some, not all 

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¥ Staff trained in CPR and First Aid 
types of disabilities 
¥ Will ask if donÕt know answers to questions 
about disabilities 
¥ Need additional training 
Interview Question: How does change happen in your organization? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Process 
¥ Staff would institute change and then the 
Board of Directors would approve/disapprove 
the proposed changes 
No answer 
Interview Question: How are budget decisions made in your organization? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Budget Decisions 
¥ Operate by grants 
¥ Budget analyst sets budget up, Chief 
Financial Officer reviews it, then submits it to 
the Executive Director who will sign off on it 
No answer 
Interview Question: How can disability/sexual assault/domestic violence and health care 
organizations work better together to provide services to women with disabilities who are 
victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Collaboration 
¥ Have advisory board that promotes 
collaboration among organizations 
¥ Networking among collaborating 
organizations 
¥ Collaborating organizations need staff to be 
available at all times 
¥ Need good communications among 
collaborating organizations 
Protocols 
¥ Protocols should be developed that would be 
appropriate for anyone needing domestic 
violence/sexual assault services 
Staff 
______________________________________________________________________________ 

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Interviews with Health Care Organization Leaders 
Interview Question: How good is your organization at providing services to people with a 
disability? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Accessibility 
¥ Set up for those who have most types of 
disabilities 
¥ Not set up for those with vision impairment 
¥ Policies not in place for service animals 
¥ Would not necessarily have provisions for 
caretakers for persons with cognitive 
impairment in the intensive care units 
Accessibility 
¥ Meets all ADA requirements 
¥ Staff conscious of providing appropriate 
services 
Staff Training 
¥ Need continuing staff training to deliver 
services in a culturally sensitive way 
¥ Young staff needs training 
Transportation 
¥ Need accessible transportation 
Interview Question: What other community organizations, collaborations or partners has your 
organization found helpful in providing services to individuals with disabilities? Not helpful? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Collaboration with outside organizations 
¥ Non-profit organizations want to partner 
with the medical center because it is an 
academic institution and the only level 1 
trauma center in Mississippi 
¥ More outside assistance with children who 
have disabilities than there are with adults 
Collaboration with outside organizations 
¥ Some community organizations are amazing 
Interview Question: What are the strengths in both your organization and in the community in 
providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual 
assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Staff 
¥ Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) in 
the pediatric and adult emergency departments 
and OB-Receiving 
¥ Social Workers are available in the 
emergency department 24/7 
Community Non-Profits 
¥ Many strong non-profits in community 
¥ United Way assists non-profits to be able to 
do their jobs 
Staff 

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Weaknesses 
¥ Need staff other than emergency departments 
to be aware of treatment and services for those 
with disabilities 
¥ Organization Social Workers are a strength 
Interview Question: What are the gaps in services in both your organization and in the 
community in providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic 
violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Follow-up services 
¥ Need more in-hospital and community 
services for women with mental 
health/psychiatric disabilities 
¥ Need staff trained on services available in 
the community 
Funding 
¥ Organizations run out of money and cannot 
provide services 
Communication 
¥ All interpreters must be scheduled, none 
organization-based 
¥ Hard to schedule language and deaf 
interpreters 
¥ Better public awareness of accessible 
services available 
¥ More alternate forms of public awareness; 
alternatives to mainstream media; better word 
of mouth; non-traditional advertising 
Interview Question: What do you need to do your job serving individuals with disabilities more 
efficiently? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Resources 
¥ Staff need knowledge about community 
referral resources available to people with 
disabilities 
¥ Need continuity of resources 
¥ Need resources beyond meeting physical 
needs: social, mental, adjustment 
Collaboration 
¥ Organizations need to give up turf-guarding 
¥ Need cooperative spirit 
¥ Need to realize need to be around the table 
Communication 
¥ Need timely responses from all organizations 
¥ Medical personnel make referrals and never 
know if patient follows through or not 
Resources 
¥ Staff need knowledge about community 
referral resources available to people with 

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disabilities from intake to discharge 
Interview Question: What do you see as barriers to providing effective service to victims of 
domestic violence and sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Communication 
¥ SurvivorsÕ inability to communicate with 
staff 
¥ Need more sharing of information between 
medical staff and law enforcement 
Collaboration 
¥ Organizations need to give up turf-guarding 
¥ Need cooperative spirit 
¥ Need to realize need to be around the table 
Inpatient Treatment 
¥ May not have rooms/slots available 
Stigma 
¥ Public stigma related to having a disability 
Funding 
¥ Need funding to run programs 
¥ People with disabilities have financial 
dependence 
Interview Question: Has your staff been trained on all types of disabilities and how to respond to 
persons with disabilities who seek services in your organization? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Disability Training 
¥ Have training on long-standing obvious 
disabilities like visual and hearing impairment 
¥ Little training on mental impairment or 
invisible impairments 
Domestic Violence (DV) Training 
¥ Emergency Department and psych nurses 
have had a little DV training 
¥ Staff do not have training on legal issues 
such as mandatory reporting for domestic 
violence or sexual assault for any person 
Disability Training 
¥ Need continuing staff training to deliver 
services in a culturally sensitive way 
¥ Young staff needs training 
¥ Hospital staff need disability training 
¥ Have orientation training and annual 
refresher 
¥ Need people with disabilities to do some of 
the training 
Interview Question: How does change happen in your organization? 

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Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Process 
¥ Slowly and painfully 
¥ Rapid change happens when there is a 
catastrophic event that causes publicity, legal 
issues, risk management or personnel issues 
¥ Response is usually related to protecting the 
patient, the organization, and employees (in 
that order) 
¥ Anyone in a leadership position can start the 
change process 
Process 
¥ Begins at top: Board of Directors to 
Administrators to Staff 
Interview Question: How are budget decisions made in your organization? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Budget Decisions 
¥ Operate by state funds and grants 
¥ Simplified answer: Budgets are developed at 
the department level, sent to the Chief 
Financial Officer who reviews it, goes through 
in-house financial hearings and then to the 
State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) 
(responsible for overseeing all public colleges 
and universities) who approves it. Overall 
budget for IHL is approved by the State 
Legislature 
¥ Politics (both internal and external) play a 
big role in budget decisions 
Budget Decisions 
¥ Staff has input to budget by identifying and 
evaluating needs and how expense will benefit 
others 
¥ Board sets budget with input from 
management 
Interview Question: How can disability/sexual assault/domestic violence and health care 
organizations work better together to provide services to women with disabilities who are 
victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Collaboration 
¥ Have advisory board that promotes 
collaboration among organizations 
¥ Networking among collaborating 
organizations 
¥ Collaborating organizations need staff to be 
available at all times 
Communication 
¥ Need better communication among 
community organizations 
¥ Cooperation among organizations is good 

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¥ Need good communications among 
collaborating organizations 
¥ Need hotline and websites of interest 
Interviews with Disability Service Provider Organization 
Leaders 
Interview Question: How good is your organization at providing services to people with a 
disability? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Quality of Services 
¥ Doing good job of connecting with the 
community 
¥ Are the best at making sure services are the 
best that can be offered 
¥ Good job at providing advocacy services 
¥ Good job at providing information and 
referrals for information donÕt handle 
¥ Need financial means to provide excellent 
services 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 
Interview Question: What other community organizations, collaborations or partners has your 
organization found helpful in providing services to individuals with disabilities? Not helpful? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Collaboration with outside organizations 
¥ Local non-profit organizations 
¥ Other local disability organizations 
¥ No non-helpful community organizations 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 
Interview Question: What are the strengths in both your organization and in the community in 
providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual 
assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Referrals 
¥ Would refer anyone who contacted them 
with domestic violence or sexual assault 
concerns 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 

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¥ Must know community resources that are 
available 
Case Managers 
¥ Most individuals accessing services have 
case managers to help them 
Interview Question: What are the gaps in services in both your organization and in the 
community in providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic 
violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Collaboration 
¥ Need stronger collaboration across the state 
¥ Need to reach out and solve problems more 
quickly 
Knowledge 
¥ Need more cross training among 
organizations 
¥ Need more education between law 
enforcement and the community 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 
Interview Question: What do you need to do your job serving individuals with disabilities more 
efficiently? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Resources 
¥ Staff need knowledge about community 
referral resources available to people with 
disabilities 
¥ Need updated and detailed referral 
information 
¥ Need more counseling opportunities 
Networking 
¥ Need more contact with people with 
disabilities to hear what their problems are 
¥ Need stronger organization networking 
¥ Need a plan 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 

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Collaborative Community Response 
¥ Collaborative, coordinated group of 
organizations to provide services 
¥ Have case managers to assist person through 
the system, advocate for the person 
Education 
¥ Need more trained individuals to provide 
services 
¥ Need education for families 
¥ Need education for legislators 
Interview Question: What do you see as barriers to providing effective service to victims of 
domestic violence and sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Transportation 
¥ Need more transportation in this rural state 
¥ Lack of transportation causes isolation and 
sets people up for abuse 
Safety 
¥ Need safe place to stay when abuse has been 
identified 
Resources 
¥ Need community referral resources 
Education 
¥ Need education in all areas 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 
Interview Question: Has your staff been trained on all types of disabilities and how to respond to 
persons with disabilities who seek services in your organization? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Disability Training 
¥ Have ongoing training for staff 
¥ Have formal in-service training twice per 
month 
¥ Offer training for others on disabilities 
¥ Staff turnover makes ongoing training 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 

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necessary 
¥ No specific training on domestic violence or 
sexual assault 
Interview Question: How does change happen in your organization? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Process 
¥ Everyone has a voice but not a vote 
¥ Management team reviews and considers 
change, drafts proposal which then goes to 
Board of Directors for approval 
¥ Board of Directors listens to the public and 
change focus to match public input 
¥ Change happens either too slow or too fast 
¥ Change is ever evolving 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 
Interview Question: How are budget decisions made in your organization? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Budget Decisions 
¥ Decisions are made by the State Legislature 
and the Governor 
¥ Finance committee within state organization 
then the budget goes to head of the state 
organization for approval 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 
Interview Question: How can disability/sexual assault/domestic violence and health care 
organizations work better together to provide services to women with disabilities who are 
victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Leadership Vicksburg Leadership 
Collaboration 
¥ Need a plan for collaboration 
¥ Need public awareness of disability-related 
issues 
¥ Networking among collaborating 
organizations 
¥ Need good communications among 
These interviews of leaders represent joint 
Jackson/Vicksburg leadership responses. Each 
of the leaders represents branches of both city 
organizations. 

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collaborating organizations 
Interviews with Self-Advocates 
Interview Question: How do you find out things that are going on in your community? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Information Sources 
¥ Local newspapers 
¥ Word of mouth 
¥ Internet 
¥ Public community meetings 
¥ Television 
No Vicksburg Self-Advocates requested 
individual interviews. 
Interview Question: How do you seek services in your community? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Various Methods 
¥ Circle of friends 
¥ Telephone 
¥ Personal relationship with care providers 
¥ Provider referrals 
No Vicksburg Self-Advocates requested 
individual interviews. 
Interview Question: What services in your community provide you with the best assistance? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Service Providers 
¥ Medical organizations 
¥ Disability organizations 
¥ Education organizations 
No Vicksburg Self-Advocates requested 
individual interviews. 
Interview Question: What is the best way to get information to women with disabilities about 
services available in your community? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Various Methods 
¥ Medical personnel 
¥ US mail 
No Vicksburg Self-Advocates requested 
individual interviews. 

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¥ Churches 
¥ Newspaper 
¥ Announcements at trainings and meetings 
¥ Go door to door 
¥ Telephone 
¥ Printed materials 
¥ Grocery stores 
Interview Question: What advice would you give a person who is serving people with 
disabilities about how to better serve them? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Sensitivity 
¥ To all issues that might impact the person 
like transportation 
¥ To personÕs limitations 
¥ To realities of a personÕs lifeÑmany are 
harsh realities 
¥ Find out what people with disabilities have 
learned by having a disability 
Understanding 
¥ Hard to get people to understand the 
experience of having a disability 
¥ Understanding comes from listening 
No Vicksburg Self-Advocates requested 
individual interviews. 
Interview Question: What qualities would you look for when seeking services from a service 
provider or advocate? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Willingness 
¥ To understand 
¥ To help 
¥ To explain things 
¥ To listen 
¥ To communicate 
¥ To not be judgmental 
Caring 
¥ To care about the issues at hand 
¥ To care about the person 
¥ To show empathy 
No Vicksburg Self-Advocates requested 
individual interviews. 

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Interview Question: Is there anything else you would like to share with us? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
No responses No Vicksburg Self-Advocates requested 
individual interviews. 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Interviews with Health Care Direct Service Providers 
Interview Question: What was your comfort level in providing services to a person with a 
disability? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Comfort Level 
¥ Ranged from not very comfortable to very 
comfortable 
¥ Depends on severity of disabilityÑthe more 
severe the more uncomfortable 
¥ Very comfortable even when there is a 
severe disability 
¥ Have sometimes felt very much afraid of 
people with post traumatic stress disorder who 
became violent 
¥ More comfortable when patient has a 
physical disability rather than a cognitive or 
mental health disability 
¥ If uncomfortable is usually caused by family 
members, not person with disability 
Comfort Level 
¥ Sometimes feel little uncomfortable 
¥ Feel uncomfortable when person has a 
mental illness 
¥ Very comfortable 
¥ If the situation is uncomfortable itÕs usually 
the family, not the patient with the disability, 
who causes the discomfort 
Interview Question: What other community organizations, collaborations or partners have you 
found helpful in providing services to individuals with disabilities? Not helpful? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Helpful Community Organizations 
¥ Community health departments 
¥ Churches and other faith-based organizations 
¥ Social Services 
¥ Medical clinics in the medical center 
Helpful community organizations 
¥ Family Development center 
¥ WIC 
¥ Organization that offers transportation 
¥ Domestic violence shelter 

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¥ Paralyzed Veterans of America 
¥ Salvation Army 
¥ Mental health organizations 
¥ An organization that provides food for those 
who need it 
¥ Rehabilitation centers 
¥ Domestic violence shelters 
¥ College services for sexual assault and 
domestic violence victims 
¥ UNACAREÑUMMC School of Nursing 
Nurse Practitioner run community clinic 
Organizations that present challenges 
¥ When trying to help people get on 
Medicaid/Medicare 
¥ Pharmaceutical organizations when trying to 
get assistance for people to get their 
medications 
¥ Organizations that citizens work to fund and 
then when you ask for assistance for someone 
they donÕt come through 
¥ Insurance companies 
Interview Question: What are the strengths of your organization and community in providing 
services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Staff 
¥ Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) in 
Emergency Department 
¥ UNACAREÑUMMC School of Nursing 
Nurse Practitioner run community clinic 
¥ Employee Health Clinic 
¥ Academic Learning Center 
Staff 
¥ Social Worker staff 
¥ SANE program 
Accessibility 
¥ Are wheelchair friendly 
Medical care for abuse 
¥ Provide excellent medical care for people 
with disabilities 
Referrals 
¥ Staff make referrals to local organizations 

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Interview Question: What are the gaps in services of your organization and community in 
providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual 
assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Lack of 24/7 Services 
¥ Many disability-related services, medical 
services and other community-based services 
are not available after hours or on the weekend 
¥ Have to remain diligent in tracking down 
accessibly services 
¥ Not enough mental health services in the 
stateÑespecially for children and adolescents 
Communication 
¥ With other organizations that provide 
services to people with disabilities 
¥ Inability to get information about patient 
follow-up after patient is discharged from 
hospital setting 
Knowledge 
¥ Lack of knowledge about disabilities, 
domestic violence, sexual assault and legal 
issues 
¥ Information needs to be provided to schools 
for personnel and students 
¥ Still have people who believe the myths 
related to domestic violence and sexual 
assaultÑneed to change the publicÕs 
perception of victims of domestic violence and 
sexual assault, especially if they have a 
disability 
Transportation 
¥ Not enough transportation for patients to go 
for follow-up care after discharge 
Funding 
¥ Not enough money to offer all of the services 
need to offer 
¥ People donÕt have money or insurance to pay 
for follow-up services after discharge 
Systems 
Housing 
¥ May not have rooms available in domestic 
violence shelters or homeless shelters when 
patient is ready for discharge 
Safety 
¥ Ability to keep people safe in the hospital 
setting 
Knowledge 
¥ Lack of knowledge about disabilities, 
domestic violence, sexual assault and legal 
issues 
¥ Awareness and knowledge of public about 
abuse of people with disabilities and resources 
available 

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¥ Problems getting people through red tape to 
get services 
Responding after the fact 
¥ Need to be more pro-active 
¥ Need to work on prevention of violence 
Research 
¥ Lack of research on domestic violence, 
sexual assault and their relationship to various 
disabilities 
Disconnect between what a patient needs and 
what insurance will pay for 
¥ Insurance organizations have too much 
power to determine appropriate medical care 
for patients 
Interview Question: What do you need to do your job serving individuals with disabilities more 
efficiently? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Training and Education 
¥ Need cross training opportunities in 
disabilities, domestic violence and sexual 
assault for health care professionals and first 
responders like fire department, EMS, etc. 
Public awareness of the issues and resources 
available 
¥ Need more awareness by people with 
disabilities 
¥ Need more awareness by people without 
disabilities 
¥ Need more awareness by people who 
provide public services 
Staff 
¥ More social workers available in hospital 
setting to assist with patient needs and referrals 
¥ More access to social workers to help 
patients after discharge 
Referral information 
¥ Need to know where to refer patients to after 
they are discharged from the hospital 

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Interpreters 
¥ Easy access to language and sign language 
interpreters 
Access to physical resources 
¥ Need easy access to physical resources such 
as wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, etc. 
24/7 Services 
¥ Need disability-related services, medical 
services and other community-based services 
to be available after hours and on the weekend 
Interview Question: What do you see as barriers to providing effective service to victims of 
domestic violence and sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Transportation 
¥ Need accessible transportation 
Training and Education 
¥ Need cross training opportunities in 
disabilities, domestic violence and sexual 
assault 
Communication 
¥ All organizations need to communicate with 
each other 
¥ Feedback on what happens to the patient 
after theyÕve left the hospital setting 
¥ Feedback on attainment of follow-up 
services 
¥ Make everyone aware of times organizations 
are open 
¥ Need language and sign language 
interpreters available 24/7 
Perception of victims 
¥ Stigma attached to having a disability and 
being a victim of a crime 
Child care 
¥ Some parents with disabilities donÕt have 
Communication 
¥ All organizations need to communicate with 
each other 
¥ Feedback on what happens to the patient 
after theyÕve left the hospital setting 
¥ Feedback on attainment of follow-up 
services 
¥ Make everyone aware of times organizations 
are open 
¥ More timely responses for follow-up 
organizations 
Public awareness of the issues 
¥ Need more awareness by people with 
disabilities 
¥ Need more awareness by people without 
disabilities 
¥ Need more awareness by people who 
provide public services 

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access to child care or the funds to obtain child 
care so they can attend appointments for 
services 
Nutrition counseling 
¥ Lack of nutrition counseling for patients 
Personal care providers 
¥ Not enough trained personal care providers 
¥ Not enough funding to pay for personal care 
providers 
Accessibility 
¥ Some hospitals still are not completely 
accessibleÑno ramps, no automatic doors, 
donÕt have right kinds of equipment like scales 
for someone who canÕt stand 
Patients unable to operationalize their health 
care, diet, exercise 
¥ DonÕt live in safe place to walk 
¥ Are too obese to exercise or itÕs not 
physically possible to exercise 
¥ DonÕt have funds for medical visits, healthy 
food, membership to health club, medications, 
etc. 
¥ Medical provider has to send them to other 
organizations for follow-up tests and 
transportation becomes an issue 
¥ Motivation level of many patients is low 
¥ Decreased literacy and decreased health care 
literacy is a problem with many Mississippians 
Interview Question: Have you been trained on all types of disabilities and how to respond to 
persons with disabilities who seek services in your organization? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Disability Training 
¥ Have had small amount of training on 
disabilities 
¥ Have had much training through Federal role 
and training offered for disaster preparedness 
Disability Training 
¥ Have not had training on disabilities 
Domestic Violence Training 
¥ Have not had training 

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Domestic Violence Training 
¥ Have had small amount of training¥ 
Sexual Assault Training 
¥ Have had small amount of training 
¥ SANEs have had much more training than 
the non-SANE¥ 
Cross training in disabilities, domestic violence 
and sexual assault 
¥ No one in focus group had cross training on 
interactions of disabilities, domestic violence 
and sexual assault 
Sexual Assault Training 
¥ Have had SANE training 
Cross training in disabilities, domestic violence 
and sexual assault 
¥ Have not had cross training on interactions 
of disabilities, domestic violence and sexual 
assault 
Interview Question: How can disability/sexual assault/domestic violence and health care 
organizations work better together to provide services to women with disabilities who are 
victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Collaboration 
¥ All organizations serving people with 
disabilities and victims of abuse would 
collaborate to provide appropriate and 
accessible services 
¥ Would have consistent networking between 
partners 
¥ Would have ongoing cross training for staff 
¥ Would have good communications in place 
¥ Would have easy access to member services 
¥ All team members would be invited to 
Sexual Assault Response Team meetings 
and/or Emergency Respond Team meetings 
¥ Have a trauma checklist or protocol for those 
with disabilities who experience abuse 
¥ Need policies related to accessible services 
for people with disabilities 
¥ Create a follow-up system to make sure 
people receive appropriate and accessible 
follow-up after they leave the medical 
organization 
¥ Assure continuity of services 
¥ Have the collaborating organizations a Òone 
stop shopÓ where all organizations are under a 
Collaboration 
¥ All organizations serving people with 
disabilities and victims of abuse would 
collaborate to provide appropriate and 
accessible services 
¥ Would have consistent networking between 
partners 
¥ Would have ongoing cross training for staff 
¥ Would have good communications in place 
¥ Have a trauma checklist or protocol for those 
with disabilities who experience abuse 
¥ Would have team members who would have 
extensive training on how to work with people 
with all sorts of disabilities 

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common roof 
¥ Collaborative needs to maintain 
confidentiality 
Emergency Response Team 
¥ Need emergency response team that has 
disability experts on it 
Interview Question: Is there anything else you would like for us to know? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
¥ Need ongoing care that patients can afford 
¥ Need ongoing education for patients 
¥ Safety is always of importance when caring 
for these patients 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Focus Groups with Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis 
Center Direct Service Providers 
Interview Question: What was your comfort level in providing services to a person with a 
disability? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Comfort Level 
¥ Never 100% 
¥ Comfortable 
¥ Acceptable depending on what needs are 
Comfort Level 
¥ Depends on level of disability 
¥ Feels comfortableÑdoes not discriminate 
¥ Fairly comfortable 
¥ Will refer clients if canÕt provide services 
¥ Treat people with disabilities like everyone 
else 
Interview Question: What other community organizations, collaborations or partners have you 
found helpful in providing services to individuals with disabilities? Not helpful? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 

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Helpful Community Organizations: 
¥ Current community partners 
¥ Volunteers 
¥ Churches 
¥ Hospitals 
¥ Non-profits 
¥ Mental Health Center 
¥ Law Enforcement organizations 
¥ Organization that teaches people hands-on 
skills 
¥ Schools 
¥ Organization that provides eye glasses 
¥ Organization that builds ramps 
¥ Organization to assist with finding housing 
¥ Strong United Way 
Helpful Community Organizations: 
¥ Local organization that helps with eye 
glasses 
¥ One organization helps people with 
disabilities find jobs 
¥ Organization that provides some medical 
supplies 
¥ One organization will install rails if asked 
¥ Disability-focused organizations 
¥ Community mental health organizations 
¥ Jackson medical facilities 
¥ Community health organizations 
¥ Some apartment complexes will help when 
asked 
Non-helpful community organizations: 
¥ Organizations that close after normal 
working hours or on weekends 
¥ Organizations that wonÕt provide assistance 
unless the person has money or insurance 
Interview Question: What are the strengths of your organization and community in providing 
services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Staff 
¥ Best strength of shelter 
¥ Trained in CPR and First Aid 
¥ Have learned to adjust to people with 
disabilities 
¥ It is natural for staff to feel helpful 
¥ Are compassionate 
Organization 
¥ Is wheelchair accessible 
Community 
¥ Has bus service 
Civic Support 
¥ Strong community support for the shelter 
Accessibility 
¥ Community becoming more accessible with 
building ramps, accessible parking, city buses 
Staff 
¥ Are compassionate, patient, willing to assist 
those with disabilities 
¥ Schedules are flexible 
¥ Have strong networking with other 
community organizations 
¥ Long history of working with persons who 
have been abused 
¥ Have creative ideas for solving problems 
¥ Adjust well to challenges 

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Interview Question: What are the gaps in services of your organization and community in 
providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual 
assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Lack of 24/7 Services 
¥ Many disability-related services, medical 
services and other community-based services 
are not available after hours or on the weekend 
Activities for people with disabilities 
¥ DonÕt have enough activities in the 
community 
¥ DonÕt have enough activities in the shelter 
Funding 
¥ Never enough money to offer all of the 
services you want to offer 
Housing 
¥ Not enough affordable housing 
¥ Large population of homeless because of 
housing situation in community 
¥ Not enough space and services at homeless 
shelters 
Housing 
¥ Not enough affordable housing 
¥ Large population of homeless because of 
housing situation in community 
¥ Not enough space and services at homeless 
shelters 
¥ DonÕt provide direct services, including 
shelter, to males ages 13 and older 
Accessibility 
¥ Need accessible transportation 
¥ Not enough activities available for people 
with disabilities 
Manpower 
¥ Need more staff at shelter 
¥ Would need to bring in medical personnel if 
person required medical care while in shelter 
Interview Question: What do you need to do your job serving individuals with disabilities more 
efficiently? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Access to more 
¥ Staff 
¥ Money 
¥ Programs for clients 
¥ Medical care 
Emergency Response Team 
¥ Need emergency response team that has 
disability experts on it 
Information 
Information 
¥ Training and education 
¥ Information on services available 
¥ Feedback on what happens after a person is 
referred to another organization 
Funding 
¥ Need funding to provide adequate and 
appropriate services 
Staff 

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¥ Training and education 
¥ Information on services available 
¥ Need consistent staff 
¥ Need consistent, flexible volunteers 
Interview Question: What do you see as barriers to providing effective service to victims of 
domestic violence and sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Transportation 
¥ Need accessible transportation especially if 
coming from a rural area for services in 
Jackson 
¥ People with disabilities have difficulty 
getting on and off buses in Jackson 
Information 
¥ Training and education 
¥ Training on communicating with individuals 
with hearing impairment 
¥ Information on services available¥ 
Funding 
¥ Need funding to provide adequate and 
appropriate services 
Accessibility 
¥ Need equipped facilities whether have 
someone receiving services who has a 
disability or not 
¥ CanÕt have accessible services if person canÕt 
get to you---need accessible transportation 
Interview Question: Have you been trained on all types of disabilities and how to respond to 
persons with disabilities who seek services in your organization? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Disability Training 
¥ Have not had trainingÑwant it for all staff 
¥ Especially want training on working with 
people with sight and hearing impairments 
Domestic Violence Training 
¥ Have had ongoing training 
Sexual Assault Training 
¥ Have had ongoing training 
Disability Training 
¥ Have not had trainingÑwant it for all staff 
Domestic Violence Training 
¥ Have had ongoing training 
Sexual Assault Training 
¥ Have had ongoing training 

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Interview Question: How can disability/sexual assault/domestic violence and health care 
organizations work better together to provide services to women with disabilities who are 
victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Collaboration 
¥ All organizations serving people with 
disabilities and victims of abuse would 
collaborate to provide appropriate and 
accessible services 
¥ Would have consistent networking between 
partners 
¥ Would have ongoing cross training for staff 
¥ Would have good communications in place 
¥ Would have easy access to member services 
¥ A collaboration would have a transportation 
plan in place for persons accessing the system 
Collaboration 
¥ All organizations serving people with 
disabilities and victims of abuse would 
collaborate to provide appropriate and 
accessible services 
¥ A collaboration would have a transportation 
plan in place for persons accessing the system 
¥ Would have ongoing cross training for staff 
¥ Would have consistent networking between 
partners 
¥ Would have regular meetingsÑhave a 
dialogue, not play the blame game 
¥ Would have activities in place for people 
with disabilities 
¥ All organizations would be in one location so 
anyone with or without a disability would only 
have to go to one location to receive all 
services 
¥ Adequate funding would be needed to have a 
collaborative effort 
¥ If canÕt be in one location then develop a 
comprehensive directory of services and 
distribute to all organizations serving people 
with disabilities 
Interview Question: Is there anything else you would like for us to know? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Leaving shelter concerns 
¥ Problems finding housing 
¥ Need something to doÑneed to be 
productive to feel like they 
contributeÉvolunteer, have job, etc. 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Focus Groups with Health Care Direct Service Providers 

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Interview Question: What was your comfort level in providing services to a person with a 
disability? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Comfort Level 
¥ Ranged from not very comfortable to 
comfortable 
¥ Depends on severity of disability 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 
Interview Question: What other community organizations, collaborations or partners have you 
found helpful in providing services to individuals with disabilities? Not helpful? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Helpful Community Organizations: 
¥ Rehabilitation centers 
¥ Social Workers 
¥ Domestic violence shelters 
¥ College services for sexual assault and 
domestic violence victims 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 
Interview Question: What are the strengths of your organization and community in providing 
services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Staff 
¥ Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) in 
Emergency Department 
¥ Flexible physicians who work with SANEs 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 
Interview Question: What are the gaps in services of your organization and community in 
providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual 
assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Lack of 24/7 Services 
¥ Many disability-related services, medical 
services and other community-based services 
are not available after hours or on the weekend 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 

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Communication 
¥ With other organizations that provide 
services to people with disabilities 
Knowledge 
¥ Lack of knowledge about disabilities, 
domestic violence, sexual assault and legal 
issues 
Transportation 
¥ Not enough transportation for patients to go 
for follow-up care after discharge 
Funding 
¥ Not enough money to offer all of the services 
need to offer 
¥ People donÕt have money or insurance to pay 
for follow-up services after discharge 
Interview Question: What do you need to do your job serving individuals with disabilities more 
efficiently? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Housing 
¥ Not enough affordable housing 
¥ Large population of homeless because of 
housing situation in community 
¥ Not enough space and services at homeless 
shelters 
Funding 
¥ Need funding to help the homeless and 
others get the medication they need 
24/7 Services 
¥ Need disability-related services, medical 
services and other community-based services 
to be available after hours and on the weekend 
Advocates 
¥ Need domestic violence and rape crisis 
advocates 24 hours per day 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 

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Emergency Response Team 
¥ Need emergency response team that has 
disability experts on it 
¥ Need nursing crisis hot-line to call for 
assistance 
Interview Question: What do you see as barriers to providing effective service to victims of 
domestic violence and sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Transportation 
¥ Need accessible transportation 
Training and Education 
¥ Need cross training opportunities in 
disabilities, domestic violence and sexual 
assault 
Communication 
¥ All organizations need to communicate with 
each other 
¥ Feedback on what happens to the patient 
after theyÕve left the hospital setting 
¥ Feedback on attainment of follow-up 
services 
¥ Make everyone aware of times organizations 
are open 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 
Interview Question: Have you been trained on all types of disabilities and how to respond to 
persons with disabilities who seek services in your organization? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Disability Training 
¥ Have had small amount of training on 
disabilities¥ 
Domestic Violence Training 
¥ Have had small amount of training 
Sexual Assault Training 
¥ Have had small amount of training 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 

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¥ SANEs have had much more training than 
the non-SANE 
Cross training in disabilities, domestic violence 
and sexual assault 
¥ No one in focus group had cross training on 
interactions of disabilities, domestic violence 
and sexual assault 
Interview Question: How can disability/sexual assault/domestic violence and health care 
organizations work better together to provide services to women with disabilities who are 
victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Collaboration 
¥ All organizations serving people with 
disabilities and victims of abuse would 
collaborate to provide appropriate and 
accessible services 
¥ Would have consistent networking between 
partners 
¥ Would have ongoing cross training for staff 
¥ Would have good communications in place 
¥ Would have easy access to member services 
¥ All team members would be invited to 
Sexual Assault Response Team meetings 
and/or Emergency Respond Team meetings 
¥ Have a trauma checklist or protocol for those 
with disabilities who experience abuse 
¥ Create a follow-up system to make sure 
people receive appropriate and accessible 
follow-up after they leave the medical 
organization 
Emergency Response Team 
¥ Need emergency response team that has 
disability experts on it 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 
Interview Question: Is there anything else you would like for us to know? 

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Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
No responses 
There were no focus groups done for 
Vicksburg health care direct service providers. 
All health care providers were interviewed 
individually. 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Focus Groups with Disability Direct Service Providers 
Interview Question: What was your comfort level in providing services to a person with a 
disability? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Comfort Level 
¥ Consensus: Very comfortable to extremely 
comfortable 
¥ Comfortable 
Comfort Level 
¥ High 
¥ Personal reasons for working with people 
with disabilitiesÑhelps with comfort level 
¥ Not comfortable if person with disability is 
obnoxious or has mental health issue 
Interview Question: What other community organizations, collaborations or partners have you 
found helpful in providing services to individuals with disabilities? Not helpful? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Helpful community organizations: 
¥ Local non-profit organizations 
¥ Other local disability organizations 
¥ Rehabilitation services 
¥ Medical organizations 
¥ Crisis centers 
Non-helpful community organizations: 
¥ Public transportation 
¥ HousingÑnot enough accessible housing 
units 
¥ Law-related organizations 
Helpful community organizations: 
¥ Local organization that helps with utilities, 
rent/mortgage 
¥ Meals on Wheels 
¥ Organization that provides some 
transportation 
¥ One organization teaches life skills 
Non-helpful community organizations: 
¥ Transportation in general, especially if the 
person canÕt get to a bus-stop 

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Interview Question: What are the strengths of your organization and community in providing 
services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Staff 
¥ Most staff have disabilities so understand the 
lived experience 
¥ Most know community resources that are 
available 
¥ Recognize that males are also abuse victims 
Accessibility 
¥ City is working toward adding ramps to 
sidewalks 
Staff 
¥ Are compassionate 
Haven House (domestic violence family 
shelter) 
¥ Staff will find shelter for someone with a 
disability even if the shelter does not have the 
capacity to house the person 
¥ Staff will find shelter for children with 
disabilities even if the shelter does not have the 
capacity to house the child 
Interview Question: What are the gaps in services of your organization and community in 
providing services to women with disabilities who are victims of domestic violence or sexual 
assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Services 
¥ Need accessible shelters for those who are 
abused 
¥ Difficulty finding appropriate services in 
general 
Staff 
¥ Need more cross training among 
organization staff 
¥ Have so much independence may not always 
empathize with persons experiencing abuse 
Accessibility 
¥ Need accessible transportation 
¥ Need all city sidewalks to be accessible 
¥ Need public buildings to be accessible: wide 
doors, automatic doors, ramps, etc. 
¥ Not enough monitoring of valid parking in 
accessible parking spaces in city 
Interview Question: What do you need to do your job serving individuals with disabilities more 
efficiently? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 

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Resources 
¥ Staff need knowledge about community 
referral resources available to people with 
disabilities 
¥ Need updated and detailed referral 
information 
Education 
¥ Need more trained individuals to provide 
services 
¥ Need continuing education in these areas for 
service providers 
¥ Need education for families, schools, 
workplace, nursing facilities, etc. 
¥ Need training on domestic violence and 
sexual assault in general 
Need training on how to assess for domestic 
violence and sexual assault 
Information 
¥ Training and education 
¥ Information on services available 
¥ Feedback on what happens after a person is 
referred to another organization 
Funding 
¥ Need funding to provide adequate and 
appropriate services 
Interview Question: What do you see as barriers to providing effective service to victims of 
domestic violence and sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Transportation 
¥ Need more accessible transportation in this 
rural state 
Safety 
¥ Need safe place to stay when abuse has been 
identified 
Resources 
¥ Need community referral resources 
¥ Need to know what resources are available 
Education 
¥ Need education and training in all areas of 
disabilities, domestic violence and sexual 
assault 
Information 
¥ Training and education 
¥ Information on services available 
¥ Feedback on what happens after a person is 
referred to another organization 
Funding 
¥ Need funding to provide adequate and 
appropriate services 
Accessibility 
¥ Need accessible transportation 
¥ Need all city sidewalks to be accessible 
¥ Need public buildings to be accessible: wide 
doors, automatic doors, ramps, etc. 
¥ Not enough monitoring of valid parking in 
accessible parking spaces in city 
Stigma 
¥ People run in to being prejudged to some 

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degree 
¥ People judging those with hidden disabilities 
as just using the system 
Interview Question: Have you been trained on all types of disabilities and how to respond to 
persons with disabilities who seek services in your organization? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Disability Training 
¥ Have not had trainingÑwant it for all staff 
¥ Feel other staff are resources about 
disabilities because they all have different 
types of disabilities 
Domestic Violence Training 
¥ Have not had trainingÑwant it for all staff 
Sexual Assault Training 
¥ Have not had trainingÑwant it for all staff 
Disability Training 
¥ Have not had trainingÑwant it for all staff 
Domestic Violence Training 
¥ Have not had trainingÑwant it for all staff 
Sexual Assault Training 
¥ Have not had trainingÑwant it for all staff 
Interview Question: How can disability/sexual assault/domestic violence and health care 
organizations work better together to provide services to women with disabilities who are 
victims of domestic violence or sexual assault? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
Collaboration 
¥ Need to establish a system to bring all 
organizations working with people with 
disabilities and victims of abuse together 
¥ Collaborative needs to work toward a 
solution of all problems together 
Accountability 
¥ Needs to be a system in place for 
accountability in responding to an abuse victim 
Accessibility 
¥ Need to collaborate with disability 
organizations to help make shelters accessible 
¥ Need to make city hospital more accessible 
Collaboration 
¥ All organizations serving people with 
disabilities and victims of abuse would 
collaborate to provide appropriate and 
accessible services 
¥ All organizations would be in one location so 
anyone with or without a disability would only 
have to go to one location to receive all 
services 
¥ Adequate funding would be needed to have a 
collaborative effort 
¥ If canÕt be in one location then develop a 
comprehensive directory of services and 
distribute to all organizations serving people 
with disabilities 

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Education and Training 
¥ Need to have partners in collaboration cross 
train on disability, domestic violence and 
sexual assault issues including identification 
and assessment of abuse 
Communication 
¥ Need system of follow-up to know if person 
is getting appropriate services 
¥ Need help understanding the legal system 
Interview Question: Is there anything else you would like for us to know? 
Jackson Direct Service Providers Vicksburg Direct Service Providers 
No response 
No response 
Focus Groups with Self-Advocates 
Interview Question: How do you find out things that are going on in your community? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Information Sources 
¥ Local newspapers 
¥ Word of mouth 
¥ Internet: email 
¥ Public community meetings 
¥ Television 
¥ Referrals 
¥ Telephone calls 
Vicksburg self-advocates are members of same 
organizations as Jackson self-advocates and 
meet at the same time. Vicksburg selfadvocate 
responses are included with those of 
Jackson self-advocates. 
Interview Question: How do you seek services in your community? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Various Methods 
¥ Circle of friends 
¥ Telephone 
¥ Personal relationship with care providers 
¥ Provider referrals 
Vicksburg self-advocates are members of same 
organizations as Jackson self-advocates and 
meet at the same time. Vicksburg selfadvocate 
responses are included with those of 
Jackson self-advocates. 

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¥ Conferences 
¥ Medical suppliers 
¥ Physicians 
¥ Vocational Rehabilitation Department helps 
Interview Question: What services in your community provide you with the best assistance? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Service Providers 
¥ Medical organizations 
¥ Disability organizations 
¥ Education organizations 
¥ Rehabilitation services 
¥ Non-profits (charities) 
¥ Crisis centers 
Vicksburg self-advocates are members of same 
organizations as Jackson self-advocates and 
meet at the same time. Vicksburg selfadvocate 
responses are included with those of 
Jackson self-advocates. 
Interview Question: What is the best way to get information to women with disabilities about 
services available in your community? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Various Methods 
¥ Medical personnel 
¥ US mail 
¥ Churches 
¥ Newspaper 
¥ Announcements at trainings and meetings 
¥ Go door to door 
¥ Telephone 
¥ Printed materials 
¥ Grocery stores 
¥ Flyers 
¥ Schools 
¥ Community gatherings 
¥ Health fairs 
¥ Drug stores 
¥ Wal-Mart 
¥ Library 
¥ Radio 
¥ Where we work 
¥ Put flyers/brochures on cars 
Vicksburg self-advocates are members of same 
organizations as Jackson self-advocates and 
meet at the same time. Vicksburg selfadvocate 
responses are included with those of 
Jackson self-advocates. 

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Interview Question: What advice would you give a person who is serving people with 
disabilities about how to better serve them? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Sensitivity 
¥ Acknowledges the person 
¥ Acknowledges the disability 
¥ To personÕs limitations 
Staff 
¥ Be accessible to the person 
¥ If service provider isnÕt the right person to 
help, find the right person 
¥ Follow-through with what is promised 
¥ If canÕt follow through with promises, 
explain why not 
Honesty 
¥ Be honest no matter what 
Communication 
¥ DonÕt give inconsistent answers 
¥ DonÕt double-talk 
¥ Clear up confusion 
Respect 
¥ Treat the person with respect no matter what 
Understanding 
¥ Get trained on how to better understand 
people with disabilities 
¥ Understanding comes from listening to what 
is said 
¥ Get to know the person with the disability 
¥ DonÕt assume anything 
Vicksburg self-advocates are members of same 
organizations as Jackson self-advocates and 
meet at the same time. Vicksburg selfadvocate 
responses are included with those of 
Jackson self-advocates. 
Interview Question: What qualities would you look for when seeking services from a service 
provider or advocate? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
Knowledge about Vicksburg self-advocates are members of same 

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¥ Disabilities 
¥ Resources 
¥ Referrals 
Want service provider to 
¥ Be compassionate 
¥ Be caring 
¥ Be kind 
¥ Say Òthank youÓ 
¥ Help me 
¥ Talk to me 
¥ Not be afraid I might fail 
¥ Assume competence 
¥ Know that the person knows what they are 
talking aboutÑitÕs their disability 
¥ Know that people will not return for service 
if they do not receive accommodations when 
needed 
DonÕt want these qualities 
¥ Service provider being too personal 
¥ Service provider telling them personal 
information about someone else 
¥ Service provider patronizing themÑpeople 
with disabilities are not children 
organizations as Jackson self-advocates and 
meet at the same time. Vicksburg selfadvocate 
responses are included with those of 
Jackson self-advocates. 
Interview Question: Is there anything else you would like to share with us? 
Jackson Self-Advocates Vicksburg Self-Advocates 
General comments 
¥ Not enough community services 
¥ Cost of medications too high 
¥ Want more choices for services 
¥ Have to travel too far to received needed 
services 
¥ Not enough transportation 
¥ Need more service providers in the state 
¥ Hard getting a job 
¥ Need help with bathroom and home 
modifications 
¥ Hard for people with vision impairments to 
get public transportation 
Vicksburg self-advocates are members of same 
organizations as Jackson self-advocates and 
meet at the same time. Vicksburg selfadvocate 
responses are included with those of 
Jackson self-advocates. 

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