Counseling and Direct Services to Clients
The CHANA director and assistant director are mental health professionals with a great deal of experience in the field of domestic abuse, as well as specific issues of the Jewish community. The crisis advocate is available for urgent issues and routine appointments two evenings a week and on Sunday mornings. The legal advocates assist clients with utilizing the civil and criminal court systems in effort to achieve safety for their families. They are all available to women in need, rabbis, friends and families of victims, schools, other professionals, and just about anyone in the Jewish community who is affected by or is interested in learning about the dynamics of domestic abuse. When a victim or survivor is in need of counseling, services are provided at either Jewish Community Services or the House of Ruth. The clinicians and CHANA staff meet regularly to discuss the best ways to serve clients.

Community Outreach, Education and Advocacy
CHANA provides a workshop on healthy relationships free to any school or youth group in the Jewish community. Speakers are available to community groups and dozens have spoken to sisterhoods, brotherhoods, Rosh Chodesh meetings, etc. Special programs have been developed for rabbis, rebbetzins, mikvah attendants, secular organizations with Jewish clients, teachers, mothers/daughters, immigrants and other special populations. Our bilingual advocates provide services and outreach to the former Soviet Union and Iranian refugees in Northwest Baltimore. CHANA staff serve on local, state and national coalitions and task forces that advocate for policies and laws aimed at providing protection and access to services for victims and survivors.

Emergency Support
CHANA members are available to anyone in the Jewish community who is experiencing a domestic violence . The helpline is answered by trained volunteers who can link callers to service or provide appropriate referrals. In addition to helping victims, the office staff often receives calls from private therapists, clergy, physicians, employers, schools and family members who are dealing with a crisis involving potential immediate danger and would like support to develop an appropriate response. When a family must be protected in the kosher safehouse CHANA staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Client Financial Assistance
The CHANA board administers financial assistance to victims and survivors for a variety of needs related to their abusive situations. Security deposits and first month’s rent are the most requested items, but other approved needs have included: changing of locks, camp for children who have been traumatized, vocational training courses, and uninsured visits to physicians and medications.