MISSION
The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence works to improve societal and community responses to domestic violence and, ultimately, prevent its occurrence.
Click here to learn how we support efforts to end domestic violence
BRIEF ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
After being established in 1993 with funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence operated as a national project housed within the structure of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), one of the first and most respected state coalitions. Working closely with an expert resource center staff, PCADV carefully nurtured the growth and development of the resource center. In late 2011, after discussions with key stakeholders (other domestic violence coalitions, national partners, consultants, funders, and NRCDV staff) and a thoughtful assessment, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Inc. (NRCDV) was formed as an independent non-profit organization to carry on this work.
NRCDV builds on over 18 years of accomplishment as it works to strengthen the capacity of programs responding to domestic violence victims and their families, promote effective public policy, institutional responses and research, and increase engagement in prevention.
Three well-tested strategies continue to frame the core of the NRCDV’s work: technical assistance & training, resource development, and the design and implementation of key initiatives that facilitate a deeper focus on a particular issue or population. As in past years, the NRCDV’s project goals, objectives, approaches and activities have been developed in response to feedback from the field and analysis of over 52,000 requests for assistance since 1994 when staff responded to their first TA call. Collaboration, coordination of efforts, and accountability to survivors, the domestic violence field and allied individuals and organizations will continue to be essential components of all NRCDV projects, as will attention to accessibility and cultural competence.
KEY PARTNERSHIPS
NRCDV’s work is significantly strengthened by a long-standing partnership with the organizational members of the Domestic Violence Resource Network (DVRN), which includes the other HHS-funded DV national, special issue and culturally-specific resource centers, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and as well as with other national allied organizations.
NRCDV BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The NRCDV receives solid leadership and support from a multi-disciplinary and diverse Board of Directors and staff. A nationally representative group has been recruited to serve on the NRCDV Board of Directors. These talented individuals include long-time domestic violence advocates, researchers, and communications professionals who bring expertise in disability rights, cultural competency, anti-poverty initiatives, prevention, community engagement and organizing, and an appreciation for the unique interests of children exposed to domestic violence, communities of color, Native communities, immigrant communities, and LGBT survivors of abuse.
NRCDV Board of Directors
Organizational affiliations are for included for identification purposes only.
CHAIR
Johnny Rice, II. Dr.PH.
Senior Program Associate, Supervised Visitation Initiative
Vera Institute of Justice
Washington, DC |
TREASURER
Katie Ray-Jones
President
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Austin, TX |
Etiony Aldorando, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research
Director, Dunspaugh-Dalton Community and Educational Well-Being Research Center
School of Education, University of Miami
Miami, FL |
Connie Burk
Executive Director
Northwest Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian, & Gay Survivors of Abuse
Seattle, WA |
Maria Jose Fletcher
Co-Director
VIDA Legal Services
Coral Gables, FL |
Nakia D. Hansen, J.D.
Director of Social Media Strategy
The College Board
Brooklyn, NY |
Alice Lynch
Chair
Women of Color, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN |
Jerry Silverman
(retired)Former Senior Policy Analyst
Office of the Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, HHS
Takoma Park, MD |
Shanaz Tejani-Butt, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Pharmacology and Toxicology
University of Sciences
Former National President of the
Member of Domestic Violence Task and former National President of Women’s Auxiliary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Philadelphia, PA |
Arlene Vassell-Richards
Lead Consultant and Trainer, ACV Consulting Services
Founding Director, You Go Girl, Inc.
Richmond, VA |
Dolly Wideman-Scott
Chief Executive Officer
Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
Chester, PA |
Sara Zesski
Disability Coordinator
NJ Coalition for Battered Women
Trenton, NJ |
NRCDV STAFF AND TEAMS
The NRCDV employs a diverse and multi-disciplinary staff of highly experienced advocates and professionals, many of whom have been active in the anti-violence against women movement for a significant number of years. Click here for a PDF NRCDV staff list.
The NRCDV operates under a team structure, which has facilitated the development of core competencies as well as specialized expertise. While the Technical Assistance (TA) Team takes the lead role in responding to incoming TA requests, staff from the Policy & Research, Library & Information Services, VAWnet and Women of Color Network Teams are also heavily engaged in both TA, training and resource development activities. The NRCDV’s key initiatives often involve cross-team collaborations as well as partnerships with outside experts. The NRCDV’s Operations Team provides comprehensive support for all programmatic activities.
Anne Menard, Executive Director
Anne Menard is an activist who has worked on policy, practice and research issues affecting domestic violence and sexual assault survivors since the mid-70s. In 2005, after serving as a senior consultant to the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services, she returned as Director of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), a position she previously held from 1994-99. At the NRCDV, she directs technical assistance, training, resource development and special projects to support domestic violence intervention and prevention efforts in the U.S. Prior to this national level work, Anne led the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence for over six years, and, in the early 1980s, co-directed Connecticut’s largest domestic violence shelter and was actively involved in grassroots sexual assault advocacy.
Click on each team to learn more about its members.
Kenya Fairley, Director of Programs
Since the year 2000, Kenya Fairley has been an advocate to end domestic and sexual violence against women and girls, both professionally and as a volunteer. As Director of Programs of the NRCDV, Kenya oversees the technical assistance, training, and resource development components of the organization. She also coordinates the
Domestic Violence Awareness Project, which creates a forum for a diverse group of professional advocates from national organizations and culturally-specific institutes to provide input on issues of national importance; those emerging issues and ideas are then converted into resource tools and materials for use by advocates and allies. Kenya’s background is in direct services, training, and child welfare. She holds a Master’s degree in Counselor Education from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in Psychology from North Carolina Central University.
Patty Branco, Technical Assistance Specialist
Patty Branco has been at the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) since 2003. As the Technical Assistance Specialist, she responds to requests from a broad-based constituency for information, technical assistance (TA), and training on a full range of domestic violence-related topics. Patty assists in the identification and development of resources to support NRCDV’s training efforts, and has also been the lead staff in the development of several NRCDV publications. Her background includes anti-violence work in Brazil, where she engaged in research, community-organizing and outreach efforts. She has a Master’s in Community Psychology and Social Change from Pennsylvania State University.
Annika M. Gifford Brothers, Policy and Research Manager
Annika M. Gifford Brothers is the Policy and Research Manager at the National Resource Annika M. Gifford Brothers is the Policy and Research Manager at the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV). Prior to joining the NRCDV, Annika spent four years working in Zagreb, Croatia for the Centre for Women’s Studies, Zagreb and the Centre for Women War Victims. Her work focused on gender mainstreaming, capacity building, human rights and justice, cross-border reconciliation, and anti-violence against women. She also co-founded a Croatian non-profit and non-governmental organization for children and youth with disabilities. At the NRCDV, Annika provides leadership to the policy advocacy and research initiatives, including the Building Comprehensive Solutions to Domestic Violence and the DV Evidence Project. Annika has a Master of Arts in Gender and Peace Building from the United Nations mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. She is an Advisory Board member of the Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence.
Amanda Hoffman, Policy and Research Analyst
Prior to joining the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), Amanda Hoffman practiced law for both the public and private sectors. She began working with survivors of domestic violence as a student attorney in the family law clinic during law school, and has since volunteered her time with a number of organizations in the DC area, providing direct legal services to survivors. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science degree cum laude in Psychology and Political Science and a Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Anne Menard, Executive Director
Anne Menard is an activist who has worked on policy, practice and research issues affecting domestic violence and sexual assault survivors since the mid-70s. In 2005, after serving as a senior consultant to the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services, she returned as Director of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), a position she previously held from 1994-99. At the NRCDV, she directs technical assistance, training, resource development and special projects to support domestic violence intervention and prevention efforts in the U.S. Prior to this national level work, Anne led the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence for over six years, and, in the early 1980s, co-directed Connecticut’s largest domestic violence shelter and was actively involved in grassroots sexual assault advocacy.
Casey Keene, VAWnet Manager
Casey Keene has served at the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) since 2001, where she coordinates the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women, a highly utilized web-based library housing thousands of high-quality materials. Her background includes community organizing, counseling, and crisis intervention. Specializing in issues related to children’s exposure to domestic violence, Casey provides national level technical assistance and training on the issue. Casey is a Licensed Social Worker who earned her Master’s in Social Work from Temple University and her Bachelor’s in Communication from Millersville University, and has been active in the movement to end domestic violence for over 12 years.
Anne Menard, Executive Director
Anne Menard is an activist who has worked on policy, practice and research issues affecting domestic violence and sexual assault survivors since the mid-70s. In 2005, after serving as a senior consultant to the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services, she returned as Director of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), a position she previously held from 1994-99. At the NRCDV, she directs technical assistance, training, resource development and special projects to support domestic violence intervention and prevention efforts in the U.S. Prior to this national level work, Anne led the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence for over six years, and, in the early 1980s, co-directed Connecticut’s largest domestic violence shelter and was actively involved in grassroots sexual assault advocacy.
Tonya Lovelace, Director of WOCN
Tonya Lovelace draws upon two graduate degrees, a former role as adjunct instructor for several accredited universities, and over 18 years of direct service, advocacy, systems change project development and management, and national, state, and local anti-oppression and cultural competency training experience within the antiviolence against women movement to lead the overall development and growth of the Women of Color Network (WOCN) Project. As WOCN Director, Tonya oversees all WOCN projects, generates funds for new initiatives, and provides overall direction for the national training, technical assistance, programming and support provided to WOCN constituents and colleagues by staff, Advisors, Mentor Project, and consultants across the country.
Rebecca Balog, WOCN Projects Administrator
Rebecca Balog has dedicated twelve years of service to the anti-violence movement in various capacities. Rebecca has been published in various national human rights and social justice publications for her work in Tribal Nations. Rebecca administers and maintains timelines and tracks the progress of Women of Color Network (WOCN) staff and consultants, and provides comprehensive support to WOCN projects. Her responsibilities include providing advanced technical assistance, outreach and executing anti-oppression initiatives within communities of color, coordinating the development of WOCN publications and WOCN information technology, and helping to steer and support membership activities. As WOCN Project Administrator, Rebecca provides specialized public policy addressing issues within Tribal and Sovereign Nations related to domestic and sexual violence, and implements national organizing around young women of color and leadership.
Shasme Jackson, WOCN Project Coordinator
Shasme Jackson brings to Women of Color Network (WOCN) over a decade of public service improving the lives of women and minority business owners by guiding them through the state’s procurement process and helping them compete successfully in state government. In her current role as Project Coordinator with WOCN she provides the first tier of technical assistance to callers and written inquires related to communities of color and violence against women and families, implements outreach and communication strategies with WOCN participants and constituents, helps shape and enhance the WOCN Membership, assists in the development of WOCN marketing tools and publications, and helps in the development and implementation of WOCN information technology. As Project Coordinator, she assists with coordinating all logistics and implementing WOCN meetings, conference call, and event, and helps with providing comprehensive organizational support. Shasme has an Associate’s degree in Business and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication.
Farzana Safiullah, Director of Operations
Farzana Safiullah’s work involves managing the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) contracts, grants, administrative, human resources and fiscal operations, and facilitating collaborative relationships with other service providers. She has extensive experience in managing federal programs funded by the US Departments of Labor, Education and Health and Human Services. Farzana is a founding member of the US based Muslim Advocacy Network against Domestic Violence. She is a graduate of Sweet Briar College, VA, with a Bachelor’s in English and Anthropology and is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration. She recently completed a Harvard Executive education program on Performance Measurement for Nonprofits.
John Schein, Information Technology Manager
John Schein has been working with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) for 9 years. He started as Content Administrator for VAWnet and has moved on to being the NRCDV’s Information Technology Manager. While managing the technological needs of the NRCDV, his duties include building maintaining and designing web communication for all projects of NRCDV. He gives advice and researches technology issues that may come up to help staff members accomplish their jobs more effectively. John graduated from the University of Maine with studies focusing on Political Science, Public Administration and History.
Dalia Rhoads, Office Coordinator
In her role as Office Coordinator, Dalia Rhoads is responsible for the daily administrative support of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), which includes large meeting event planning and organization, set-up of staff and participant travel and lodging accommodations, daily communications with vendors, catering booking, invitations, and more. Dalia is a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh; her studies specialized in Rhetoric Communications and Economics. Dalia served over 4 years in the demanding Real Estate Industry, solely managing a fast paced office. She brings strong awareness and communication skills to her position.
Ashley Carter, Fiscal Coordinator
Ashley Carter works closely with the Director of Operations to maintain, compile and monitor consistency of contracts and budgets with compliance requirements. She reconciles expenses and prepares grants expenditures reports. She also processes invoices and bills and assists in other administrative duties. Ashley brings to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) four years of supervisory experience, which includes bookkeeping and payroll processing, four years Human service experience, exceptional attention to detail and great organizational skills. Ashley has an Associate’s degree in Business and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Management.
Erica Keim, Project Coordinator
Erica Keim is responsible for providing comprehensive support to National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) projects and initiatives across organizational teams. With her background in graphic design and digital media, Erica utilizes her interdisciplinary skills to provide fresh perspectives and technical expertise for the effective coordination of NRCDV endeavors. Her main roles include webinar management and design of publications, graphics, and various resource materials. Erica also participates in the design, development, and content management of NRCDV project websites as needed. As an Albright College graduate, she currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing, and Digital Media.
Susan Metz Ermlick, Director of Library & Information Services
Susan Metz Ermlick is the librarian for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV). She has 32 plus years of library and information services experience from corporate, legal, special, and public libraries/agencies. The NRCDV Librarian since 1994, she provides reference/research services to NRCDV staff, allies, and constituents. In addition to managing the print and digital collections of the NRCDV Library, Susan also provides specialized technical assistance and referral on federal and private funding sources to a national constituency. She has a Master of Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence provides a wide range of free, comprehensive, and individualized technical assistance, training, and specialized resource materials and key initiatives designed to enhance current domestic violence intervention and prevention strategies. Reach the NRCDV Technical Assistance Specialist for guidance at 1-800-537-2238 / TTY 1-800-553-2508 or via email at nrcdvTA@nrcdv.org. Or complete the NRCDV Online TA request form.
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