HomeResourcesPublicationsCommunity Needs AssessmentSafety and Security
abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz#

Safety and Security Archive

Safety and Security Files

Homelessness

Modified on 11 August 2010

Homelessness:  At any given time, there are in the range of 600 to 800 homeless persons in DuPage including individuals and persons in families in shelters, in transitional housing, or on the street.  Homelessness is devastating for those who are affected by it.  The homeless population in DuPage includes a significant component of chronic homeless persons, persons with mental illness and substance dependencies, and domestic violence victims.  The veteran component of the homeless population is relatively smaller, but this is a group that could grow in the coming years.  The DuPage Homeless Continuum of Care is working to reduce homelessness by preventing homelessness, emphasizing permanent housing, and providing necessary services.

/// Read more

Download

Hunger and Food Security

Modified on 24 August 2010

Hunger and Food Security:  Upward trends in use of food pantries in the last few years clearly show the effects of the poor economy.  Between 2005 and 2009, the number of individuals using food pantries increased by 52%, the amount of food distributed at the pantries increased by 72%, and the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly Food Stamps) more than doubled.  It appears that unemployment and underemployment (key features of the recent recession) are expected to continue for some time even though parts of the economy may be recovering.  Therefore, the high need for food supplements for vulnerable people will continue.

/// Read more

Download

Child Safety

Modified on 30 August 2010

Child Safety:  DuPage appears to be one of the safest counties in the state for children. Measures of abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and crimes against youth are all among the lowest in the state.  Maltreatment of children has a long lasting impact that will continue into adulthood and is often passed on to future generations.  It affects child development, ability to learn, physical health, and socialization.  Therefore, any maltreatment of children is too much.  A central focus of the DuPage community response to child abuse rests with Positive Parenting DuPage (PPD), which provides some direct services.  However, PPD is also a collaboration of agencies that provide a full range of essential services.

/// Read more

Download

Domestic Violence

Modified on 24 August 2010

Domestic Violence:  The incidence of reported domestic violence is lower in DuPage than in other parts of the state and the region, but there are still about 7,000 reported incidences each year.  Like many areas, DuPage struggles with the legal process of holding abusers accountable, and, for a variety of reasons, prosecutions are abandoned for about 85% of cases.  The reporting of elder abuse is on the rise in DuPage and throughout the state, and the three most common types of elder abuse are financial exploitation, emotional abuse, and neglect.  With the expanding senior population in DuPage, elder abuse is likely to be a continuing concern.  Coordination of the many parts of the system addressing domestic violence (law enforcement, the court system, prosecution, defense, victim advocates, etc.) is the responsibility of the Family Violence Coordinating Council (FVCC), which was established by the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage.

/// Read more

Download

Chair & Director

Theresa Nihill
Chairperson

Kathleen McGowan
Immediate Past Chairperson

Candace M. King
Executive Director

Our Mission

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people in DuPage County by leveraging relationships and knowledge to build an effective and efficient health and human service system.

Latest Blog Entries