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DVIP & RVAP
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
Rape Victim Advocacy Progra
800.228.1625
800.373.
Safety & Dignity. Always.
January 24, 2025
1105 South Gilbert Ct. #300
Iowa City, IA 52240
Business Line: 319.356.9863
www.dvipiowa.org
dvip@dvipiowa.org
Housing and Community Development Commission
RE: FY26 Aid to Agencies Funding Recommendations
Dear Commissioners,
I'm writing today after reviewing the revised packet on Aid to Agencies funding recommendations by Iowa City
Staff. I appreciate the tremendous amount of work that is involved in this process and the thoughtful changes that
are underway in allocation determination. I have a concern about an inaccuracy that could have a significant
impact on local resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking and human
trafficking.
In October the Rape Victim Advocacy Program was transferred to our program, moving services for sexual assault
victims under our service agency. Our expectation is this will increase our service census from approximately 2500
annually to nearly 3500. In support of that decision, Iowa City gave DVIP the contract previously held by RVAP, at a
total contract amount of $28,240.
DVIP/RVAP during FY25 is receiving a total of $88,755 to provide services for domestic violence and sexual assault
victims (in addition to dating violence, stalking and human trafficking).
In the HCDC packet, pg 10, the staff recommendation for FY26 is $62,693 and funding for the Rape Victim
Advocacy Program has been zeroed out (as would be expected). The chart indicates the $62,693 is a 4% increase
in funding to DVIP/RVAP, but this isn't accurate. The funding recommendation is a 30% cut from FY25. This does
not align with our application scoring or city planning priorities.
In addition, the cut of all funding for sexual assault services by the City will have a dire impact on federal/state
funding DVIP/RVAP receives. We are required to have matching local funds for many of our state and federal grants
to be eligible to apply for or receive victim services grants. One of the unique issues that expedited the transfer of
RVAP to our organization this past fall, was the fact that more than 95% of their funding came from one source
($401,000 federal/state dollars administered by the Iowa Attorney General's Office) making sexual assault services
vulnerable due to a lack of diversification of funding. Losing $28,000 from Iowa City that was previously allocated
sexual assault funding, could literally make DVIP/RVAP ineligible to maintain or receive the more than $400,000 in
funding that is sustaining sexual assault services in Iowa City, and our larger eight county service area. While we
are actively working to diversify funding for sexual assault services in our region, we've only had the program for
four months.
My hope is that this information will be helpful in reviewing the current allocation recommendations, and the
broader consequences of a cut of this magnitude. Understandably, applications do not always have questions
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM
Providing Free and Confidential Victim Services to the following Iowa Counties:
Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Lee, Van Buren and Washington
Supported by:
,:" United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties
United Way of the Great River Region
Free & Confidential 2417
DVIP & RVAP
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
Rape Victim Advocacy Program
8
800.373.1043 00.228.1625
Safety & Dignity. Always.
1105 South Gilbert Ct. #300
Iowa City, IA 52240
Business Line: 319.356.9863
www.dvipiowa.org
dvip@dvipiowa.org
that anticipate fiscal impact outside of the immediate request. Thank you for your time and consideration of this
matter, I'm happy to answer any questions this brings up for Commissioners.
Sincerely,
Kristie Fortmann-Doser
Executive Director
Domestic Violence Intervention Program/Rape Victim Advocacy Program
kristie@dvipiowa.org
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM
Providing Free and Confidential Victim Services to the following Iowa Counties:
Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Lee, Van Buren and Washington
_ Supported by:
vai United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties
United Way of the Great River Region