the essential guide - Texas Council on Family Violence

housing and homeless issues in <strong>the</strong>ir service area. Each large metro area in <strong>Texas</strong> has its ownCoC. Smaller communities and rural areas are able to participate in <strong>the</strong> Balance of State CoCthrough <strong>the</strong> <strong>Texas</strong> Homeless Network: www.thn.org/faqs/balance-of-state/.Domestic Violence agencies can play an important role in working with a CoC to: Represent <strong>the</strong> interests of survivors in policy and program development. Ga<strong>the</strong>r information necessary to link survivors to needed housing resources. Build awareness of DV issues among o<strong>the</strong>r homeless service agencies. For more information about <strong>the</strong> intersection of domestic violence and homelessness, visit:www.nnedv.org/policy/issues/housing.html.An Advocate’s Role…Domestic violence agencies should request training before assisting applicants in applyingto <strong>the</strong> Address Confidentiality Program. Agency staff that has received ACP training will<strong>the</strong>n be able to train o<strong>the</strong>rs within <strong>the</strong>ir agency.Training is available through: OAG by contacting crimevictims@oag.state.tx.us <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Council</strong> on Family Violence at www.tcfv.org, or <strong>Texas</strong> Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) at www.taasa.org.Participating agencies should receive training every three years to maintain <strong>the</strong>ir status.Agencies will receive enrolling materials, including applications, from <strong>the</strong> OAG once <strong>the</strong>ycomplete trainingTHE ESSENTIAL GUIDE: AN INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCATING FOR SURVIVORS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE50 | P a g e