Provides an advocate/support person for the rape or sexual assault victim and their families; this includes victims of partner rape, acquaintance rape, date rape, stranger rape, gang rape, ritualistic rape, or any form of sexual assault. Also addresses sexual harassment and hostile work environment issues. Provides support through services: - Books and resources - Crisis counseling and intervention - Crisis line - Information and referral - Legal/court/law enforcement advocacy - Medical advocacy - Orders for Protection or Harassment Restraining Order assistance - Reparations (financial assistance for crime-related costs)

Legal services may include: legal advice, review court papers, assist in drafting paperwork, mediate, negotiate, litigate, and/or represent at an administrative law or district court hearing LSNM assists people with low incomes and issues critical to daily life. Cases including: - Consumer: threats or harassment by a creditor or debt collector, paycheck or bank account being garnished, and utilities shut off - Education: children with a disability and need an Individualized Education Program (IEP), wrongfully disciplined, suspended or expelled of a child - Employment: criminal history, denied unemployment benefits - Family: custody, divorce, parenting time rights, understanding court papers, etc. - Housing: contract for deed, denied of subsidized housing, evictions, foreclosures, housing discrimination and accommodation, locked out, and repair issues - Protective orders: from physically harming or threatening to harm an individual or child and harassment - Public assistance and disability benefits: food support, medical assistance or other public assistance, denied necessary medical care and unable to work because of a disability - Senior issues: health care directive, power of attorney, and simple will

Provide support to those who have been affected by domestic violence or sexual assault. Services may include: - 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: Provides a hotline for advocacy, resources, and shelter for all victims of violence. The hotline provides information and safety planning to support victims. - Advocacy: Legal advocates can help victims navigate and explain the legal system in criminal and civil protective order cases. Helps victims work with local police, city, and county attorneys to advocate on the victim's behalf. Assist in filing Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders. Attend court hearings with victims to provide information and support and more. - Emergency Shelter: A 24-hour domestic violence and sexual violence emergency shelter within Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, and Pine counties. The Black Dog Hill Shelter provides secure emergency shelter and access to basic needs to survivors and children. Basic needs include meals, toiletries, clothing, linens, diapers, laundry facilities, and access to a food shelf. - Intervention: Offers a Batterers Intervention Program to those interested and/or court-ordered to participate in a psycho-educational group led by trained professional facilitators. Participants learn to identify abusive behaviors and are taught to react to situations non-abusively and communicate with their partner. - Support Groups: Provides support groups to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through empowerment, conversations, and activities. Meetings are held in-person and virtual and times will vary by county office.

Services are victim-centered, which means individuals will guide their own process, make their own decisions, and have staff provide information, support, and referrals. Services include: - Advocacy: Assistance in obtaining Emergency Protective Orders, Permanent Restraining Orders, Stalking/Harassment Orders, Temporary Restraining Orders, housing, community services, and medical appointments - Confidentiality - Community education and professional training - Crisis line - Emergency Services: Transportation to medical facilities, law enforcement, safe housing, etc. - Individual and group support - Prevention and/or Rapid Rehousing: Services provided by the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program - FHPAP - Safety planning

Attorney services include: - Child custody decrees - Child protection representation - Child support assistance/enforcement - Conservatorship assistance - County counsel - Court filing assistance - Crime victim compensation - Crime victim notification services - Crime victim assistance - Crime witness support - Criminal law - District Attorney - Domestic/family violence legal services - Estate entitlement assistance - Guardianship assistance - Juvenile delinquency prosecution and diversion - Paternity suits - Paternity/maternity establishment - Permanent restraining orders - Stalking/harassment orders - Temporary restraining orders - Third-party involuntary commitment petition services The County Attorney is not permitted to provide legal advice to citizens, but can refer them to a department, agency, or private law firm that can help them.

Provides assistance with: - Understanding the legal process and court procedures in a criminal matter - Understanding and exercising victims' rights - Seeking restitution for economic loss or harm resulting from crime - Information about proposed settlement offers and pre-trial diversion programs - Referrals to other agencies providing victim services - Explaining Order for Protection and Harassment Restraining Order application process - Assistance to witnesses testifying in court hearings and trials

The Senior Law Project provides legal advice or representation for people age 60 or older for issues including: - Social Security - Family law Including marriage dissolution, orders for protection, and third party custody where domestic abuse or child endangerment is alleged, or spousal maintenance is needed - Power of attorney and health care directives - Public benefits programs including denial or termination of eligibility/lack of payment by: Medicare Social Security SSI, Medical Assistance, food support, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, fuel assistance, Veterans benefits - Medicare - Housing including: eviction, foreclosure, poor conditions, requests for reasonable accomodation - Consumer law including debt collection and garnishment - Nursing home problems including involuntary discharge - Citizenship including medical waivers The Senior Law Project DOES NOT handle: - Living trusts - Wills - Estate Planning - Real estate transactions Disability law efforts include: - Reducing abuse and neglect - Decreasing discrimination and increasing integration - Increasing access to appropriate services - Individual and system advocacy concerns

Provides support through education, empowerment, protection, and advocacy services. Services include: - 24-hour crisis support line - Advocates that includes a Spanish speaking advocate - Educational presentations - Legal options and advocacy - Limited emergency safe housing - Restraining Order assistance - Safety planning - Support Group: Offers a Spanish speaking support group - Systems coordination and referrals to resources - Transportation - Volunteer opportunities for those interested in providing transportation, community outreach, staffing information booths, fundraising, quarterly newsletter, and serving on the Board of Directors

Works with victims of general crimes including physical assault, harassment, stalking, identity theft, attempted murder, and men who are victims of intimate partner violence, in addition to other crime victimizations. Provides support through services: - Assists applying for compensation assistance from the Crime Reparations Board - Assists in filing Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders - Assists preparing a victim impact statement - Assists with restitution paperwork - Being a liaison between the victim, police department, and county attorney - Provides crisis intervention for victims - Provides help through crisis line - Provides referrals to community and area agencies Grant funds (when available) are used to meet the emergency needs of crime victims - Provides victim rights information - Support and guidance through medical, law enforcement, and legal processes ? Emergency assistance includes, but is not limited to, the following expenses: - Cleanup of a crime scene - Purchase and installation of necessary home security devices - Reimbursement for reasonable travel and living expenses that the victim incurred to attend court proceedings that were held at a location other than the place where the crime occurred due to the change in venue - Reimbursement of towing and storage fees incurred due to impoundment of a recovered stolen vehicle - Replacement of necessary property that was lost, damaged or stolen as a result of a crime - Transportation to locations related to the victim's needs as a victim such as medical facilities and facilities of the criminal justice system. - When available, funding through the program for items such as repairing a broken door, installing new locks, and replacing clothing or bedding taken as evidence.

A secure, 24-bed emergency domestic violence shelter for women and their children under age 18. Assistance includes: - 24 hour domestic violence crisis hotline - Advocacy - Assistance with protection and restraining orders - Basic needs - Housing resources - Outreach services for anyone (residents and non-residents of the shelter) needing assistance with personal or legal issues related to domestic violence - Parenting support provided to shelter residents - Referrals - Resources - Safety planning - Support groups for anyone affected by domestic violence and/or sexual violence - Support through court proceedings

Law library which provides monthly family law clinics. Lawyers are able to review legal papers, answer questions about the law and provide advice about court procedures. Attorneys can advise about: - Child support motions - Criminal expungement - Custody matters - Divorce - Orders for Protection - Parenting time (visitation) Some individuals may also be eligible for personalized consultations following their initial session. More information will be provided about how to apply for direct legal assistance during the clinics. Also provides general legal reference services.

Responsibilities of the County Attorney's Office include: - Adult prosecution - Child custody decrees - Child protection cases - Child support and paternity matters - Civil advice - Family services - Juvenile prosecution - Pursuing improvement and prevention: Plays an important role in seeking new laws to strengthen law enforcement, criminal justice, child protection, victim's rights, and other areas. Also participates in efforts to prevent or reduce crime in the local communities and statewide. - Victim/Witness Assistance

- 24/7 Crisis Hotline - Law enforcement accompaniment - Legal advocacy (assistance filing Orders for Protection, Harassment/Restraining Orders, and reparations claims, including help through the court system) - Outreach and education (programs for domestic and sexual violence prevention for all ages) - Relationship abuse advocacy - Resources and referrals - Safe exchange - Safety planning - Sexual assault advocacy - Supervised visitations - Support groups - Supportive/transitional housing New Beginnings Housing - Supportive housing on site with six units of safe, affordable units

Bilingual advocates assist with: - Court coordination with legal systems - Crisis intervention - Filing Orders for Protection - Safe housing/relocation - Safety plans and crime victim rights - Supportive listening

Handles family law matters, including: - Adoption - Child support - Custody and visitation/parenting time - Designation of standby custodian - Domestic abuse/Order for Protection - Divorce - Grandparents visitation - Harassment restraining orders - Name change - Paternity

Operates a 24-hour support line staffed by trained advocates. Offers services such as: - Accompany and support in making a police report and/or sexual assault forensic exam at North Shore Health Hospital - Confidential advocacy and emotional support - Emergency short-term safe housing for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault - Free and confidential support for adults and youth ages 13 years and up who can access services without a parent's permission or knowledge - Legal advocacy including obtaining a Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) or Order for Protection (OFP) - Survivor support groups - Referral to additional resources and a lending library NOTE: Advocates are not mandated reporters and cannot provide legal advice

Represents people who meet the financial and case priority guidelines when the case has legal merit and fits within the program. Family law cases handled include: - Cases for victims of abuse where the courts or law enforcement are not following rules or laws - Cases for victims of abuse or primary caretakers that challenge racial or other illegal discrimination - Indian Child Welfare Act cases (Ramsey County only) Legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking: - Custody - Divorce - Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO's) - Orders for Protections (OFP's) - Paternity (if can't obtain court-appointed counsel) Primary Caretakers: - Child-snatching - Custody modifications and restricted parenting time when the child is in danger - Responding to divorce or custody petitions where the other parent is seeking custody May accept a custody case on behalf of a friend or family member if: The child will otherwise be placed in fostercare; The child is in danger in the parents' care; The friend or relative has been the child's primary caretaker for at least 6 months (if the child is under 3 years old) or one year (if over 3 years old)

Services: - Temporary Restraining Order filing office - Abused Children and Adults services - Issues warrants, subpoenas, and executions on judgments Court and legal information: - Landlord/tenant information - Law library - Pro-se forms for self-representation - Information on legal issues - Notary Public - Files Notary Public registration, wills, and minister credentials - Performs civil marriage ceremonies - Publish Divorce Decrees - Divorce/custody records - Other legal records - Jury selection

Civil Division: - Advises and represents the community social services department under state and federal mandates Criminal Division: - Prosecutes criminal acts and provides leadership to law enforcement Juvenile Division: - The Juvenile Division attorneys carry a caseload of both juvenile prosecution cases and child protection cases Victim-Witness Division: - Fulfills statutorily mandated advocacy assistance, information and services for victims and witnesses Services Include: - Child Custody Decrees - Child Support Assistance/Enforcement - Conservatorship Assistance - County Counsel - Crime Victim Compensation - Crime Victim Notification Services - Crime Witness Support - Criminal Law - District Attorney - Domestic/Family Violence Legal Services - Estate Entitlement Assistance - General Crime Victim Assistance - Guardianship Assistance - Juvenile Diversion - Paternity Suits - Paternity/Maternity Establishment - Permanent Restraining Orders - Stalking/Harassment Orders

Legal services may include: legal advice, review court papers, assist in drafting paperwork, mediate, negotiate, litigate, and/or represent at an administrative law or district court hearing LSNM assists people with low incomes and issues critical to daily life. Cases including: - Consumer: threats or harassment by a creditor or debt collector, paycheck or bank account being garnished, and utilities shut off - Education: children with a disability and need an Individualized Education Program (IEP), wrongfully disciplined, suspended or expelled of a child - Employment: criminal history, denied unemployment benefits - Family: custody, divorce, parenting time rights, understanding court papers, etc. - Housing: contract for deed, denied of subsidized housing, evictions, foreclosures, housing discrimination and accommodation, locked out, and repair issues - Protective orders: from physically harming or threatening to harm an individual or child and harassment - Public assistance and disability benefits: food support, medical assistance or other public assistance, denied necessary medical care and unable to work because of a disability - Senior issues: health care directive, power of attorney, and simple will

- Collection and receipt of fees, bonds, and escrow funds - Court Records - Divorce/custody records - File wills - Information on other legal issues - Jury selection - Landlord/tenant information - Notary Public - Orders for Protection/Domestic Abuse - Performs civil marriage ceremonies - Pro-se Forms for self-representation - Public Defender - Reimbursement and collection of guardian ad litem fees - Law library including book loan, book giveaways, legislative reference services, online databases/CD ROMs, reference/information, and government publications

Provides legal assistance in criminal matters from petty misdemeanors to felonies, as well as many areas of civil law. Civil Law - General - Collections - Commitment - Expungement - Garnishment - General Assistance - Housing - Landlord/Tenant - Name Change - Native American Enrollment - Public Assistance - SSI - Unemployment - Unlawful Detainer ? Civil Law - Family - Child Support - CHIPS - Custody - Dissolution - Guardianship - Harassment - Long Term Foster Care - Orders for Protection - Paternity - Termination of Parental Rights - Visitation

Advocacy for victims of sexual violence or harassment, family, friends, community members, and service providers in Goodhue and Wabasha counties. Services include: - Advocacy within criminal justice system - Advocates assist with support and guidance - Free, confidential 24-hour sexual assault hotline Resource for service providers: Goodhue County SMART (Sexual Assault Multi-Disciplinary Action Response Team) works to ensure that the people and agencies responding to a sexual assault survivor are victim-centered and culturally-competent.

Provides free and confidential services to those affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking/exploitation, and high-risk youth in Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine counties. Confidential services: - Accompaniment to court - Assistance with petitioning for an Order for Protection or Harassment Restraining Order - Community education - Crisis line - Emergency transportation, and/or assistance - Information, referrals, and resources - Temporary emergency safe housing - Systems coordination - Support group - Youth Programs: Provides youth the ability to teach and learn from their peers about confidence, communication, safety, and life skills. Emergency assistance includes, but is not limited to, the following expenses: - Crime Scene cleanup - Grant funds are used to meet crime victims' emergency needs when available - Purchase and installation of necessary home security devices - Reimbursement of towing and storage fees incurred due to impoundment of a recovered stolen vehicle - Replacement of necessary property that was lost, damaged or stolen as a result of a crime - Transportation to locations related to the victim's needs as a victim, such as medical and criminal justice facilities - Victim reimbursement for reasonable travel and living expenses incurred due to a change in venue Victims of crime have also received funding through the program for items such as repairing a broken door, installing new locks, and replacing clothing or bedding taken as evidence. Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program - FHPAP may be available through pre-screening.

Services include: - Personal safety planning - Assistance with finding safe (shelter) housing - Transportation to court, safety, and medical care - Orders for Protection and harassment restraining orders - Attendance at court appearances resulting from domestic assault in Hennepin County - Assistance with lock changes, food, shelter and phone reconnection/repair, window and door repair due to assault