WHO:  The Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, Inc. (DAFS), is a
private, non-profit agency.  It was founded in 1984 as a crisis
line and shelter and has grown to multi-service program with
a yearly budget of over half a million dollars.

WHERE:  Two shelters, one in Laurel and one in Hattiesburg,
as well as a slate of other programs serve victims of domestic violence, their children, and abusers in an 11-county area in southeast Mississippi:  Covington, Forrest, Greene, Jasper,
Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Marion, Perry, Smith, and
Wayne.

WHAT WE DO:

• Statewide 24-hour crisis line
• 24-hour emergency shelters in Hattiesburg and Laurel
  up to 90 days
• Temporary housing, food, transportation, and personal hygiene articles
• Information and referrals regarding financial, medical, legal, housing, employment and educational assistance
• Individual and group counseling on site (shelter), as well
  as off-site (community)
• Victim advocacy in justice and municipal courts in 9 of the 11 counties
• Aftercare case management up to 90 days after departure from the shelter
• Children’s program (therapeutic child care, crisis counseling)
• Volunteer program (field placement internships available through USM School of Social Work)
• Public education, outreach, and community awareness programs
• Domestic Violence Intervention Program for abusers

WHEN:   The shelters in Hattiesburg and Laurel are open
24-hours a day, 7 days a week.  The business office, counseling offices in Laurel and Hattiesburg, Aftercare Case Management Program, and Children’s Program are provided Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. through 5:00 P.M.  The Domestic Violence Intervention Program and support groups are held by appointment.  Public education, outreach, and community awareness are provided as requested.