One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center is a collaboration between the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, City of Birmingham-Birmingham Police Department, YWCA Central Alabama, and the Crisis Center, Inc.
OUR MISSION: To provide coordinated services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals working together under one roof.
ONE PLACE SEEKS TO remove barriers to reporting interpersonal violence in our community.
YWCA Central Alabama
Case Managers from the YWCA Central Alabama provide a full range of services to victims of domestic violence, stalking and dating violence. Case managers can make referrals for individual and group counseling and connect you with YWCA’s confidential emergency shelters where victims and their families can find help and safety.
Attorneys from the YWCA Family Law Center work with One Place to provide comprehensive civil legal services to victims. Civil legal concerns may include divorce, child custody and visitation, housing, public benefits, immigration and other non-criminal issues.
YWCA Court Advocates help victims navigate the complicated legal process and court system, even accompanying them to court.
Crisis Center, Inc Rape Response
The Crisis Center’s Rape Response staff partners with One Place to fill needs of those affected by sexual violence.
Rape Response Advocates are available 24-hours a day for victims and survivors who request a forensic medical exam. These exams are done in the privacy of the SANE Clinic unless a survivor is medically unstable, in which case the exam will be completed at a local hospital. Forensic medical exams can be completed up to 72 hours after the assault and allow for evidence to be collected. Evidence collection does not mean that a survivor must seek criminal prosecution or even report to the police, however, the evidence is collected and maintained by the Crisis Center in case the survivor decides to seek prosecution in the future.
The Rape Response program also offers counseling services and support groups for survivors as well as a 24-hour confidential crisis hotline.
Rape Response Legal Advocates accompany survivors of sexual violence during interviews with law enforcement and through legal proceedings regarding their case.
Birmingham Police Department
http://police.birminghamal.gov
The Birmingham Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit has on-site staff at One Place to interview victims, take victims statements and gather information to begin initial investigations. They work to explain the criminal justice system, assist victims with filing reports and offer advice about warrants and protection orders. The Domestic Violence Unit staff ensures that all reports are complete and that the case is assigned to a detective for further investigation.
The Birmingham Police Department is dedicated to serving the people of Birmingham by working in partner- ship with the community to enforce the law, preserve peace, reduce fear, and maintain order.
Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office
Representatives from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office are on site at One Place to help victims navigate the criminal justice system from the beginning of a criminal case to its resolution. A prosecutor is available on-site to answer questions about the process and to work side by side with law enforcement and other partners.
The District Attorney’s office is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of all victims of crime while aggressively prosecuting those who engage in criminal activity. Some crime victims may also be eligible for counseling provided through the State of Alabama or entitled to assistance with medical or other bills related to the offense. The DA’s Victims Services Office has a network of resources to ensure a victim’s rights are fully protected and that justice is served.
Board Of Directors
Julie Wall Khoury
Balch & Bingham
Leigh Haver
IBERIABANK
Donna Smith
Retired, Alabama Power Company
Ginny Willings
Brasfield & Gorrie
Alexis Barton
The City of Birmingham
Gregory Zarzaur
Zarzaur Law LLC
Anne Marie Everly
BBVA Compass
Laura Luckie Finch
LLF Counseling
Aldos Vance
Altec, Inc.
Liesel French
Birmingham Pediatric Associates
Executive Director
Allison L. Dearing is the Executive Director of One Place Family Justice Center in Birmingham. Before coming to One Place, Allison worked with local colleges and universities to prevent and address domestic violence and sexual assault on campus. Prior to that, she served as Director of the Jefferson County Coordinated Community Response, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination of services between first responders to domestic violence cases in the greater Birmingham area. Allison began her career as a Staff Attorney in the Birmingham office of Legal Services Alabama where she represented survivors of domestic violence in divorce, custody, child support and protection order cases.
Email Allison at adearing@oneplacebirmingham.com.
Program Coordinator
Kelly Klehm is the Program Coordinator for One Place. Most recently, Kelly served as Program Director for Girls on the Run Birmingham, where she recruited and coordinated school sites and volunteers; lead volunteer trainings and acted as a liaison between the organization, school sites, and volunteers. Kelly has a BA in Social Sciences/Elementary Education and a Masters of Arts in Reading and Learning Disabilities. She previously worked at UAB Early Head Start, and also in the Indianapolis Public School System. Kelly is a member of the Junior League of Birmingham, and also serves as a volunteer advocate through the Crisis Center’s Rape Response program.
Email Kelly at kklehm@oneplacebirmingham.com
