20/02/2024
Legislative Action alert-Act by February 22!
Legislation that would strengthen funding for domestic violence and survivor services has seen support in Committee but has not been voted on in the full State Assembly. Your voices are needed to secure this critical funding. In order for this bill to move forward before the legislative session concludes, a vote needs to be scheduled for this Thursday, February 22.
AB-940 provides critical funding for domestic violence and survivor services at a moment when Wisconsin is seeing unprecedented levels of domestic violence. Here are some key things to know about this situation and why AB-940 is a necessary legislative response:
-At current funding levels, Wisconsin’s domestic violence services have not been able to meet an increasing need for services. Survivors who are not reached by services often have no choice but to endure continued violence.
-Significant cuts in federal domestic violence funding – including a 40% decrease beginning this year – sharpen the need for increased funding and state support.
-AB-940 would meet this need by ensuring the Department of Children and Families can continue to fund domestic violence and survivor services for 81 non-profit organizations and 10 tribes.
These essential services include shelter care, advocacy, counseling services, accompaniment to medical appointments, transportation services and more.
If no action is taken on this bill, domestic violence agencies across Wisconsin will provide fewer services, and many will likely need to shut their doors, leaving survivors and those currently experiencing domestic violence without support.
Call your Assembly representative and Assembly leadership today to help move this bill forward:
Tell them why you support this bill and why it is crucial they schedule a vote on AB-940 for this Thursday. How would this funding impact the families you serve? What could happen without it?
Not sure who your representative is? Find them here: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/
