The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services

The Umbrella Center

The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS) provides services for victims and their children at two sites located in Shelton and New Haven. All services offered are free of charge and confidential. Services support 170 different languages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact us:

Click here to confidentially e-mail UCDVS.

The UCDVS 24/7 Crisis Hotline numbers are (203) 736-9944 and (203) 789-8104. Toll-free 1-888-774-2900

To schedule an appointment or reach office staff, please call (203) 780-2037 (Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Interested in giving?

If you’d like to make a donation or host a collection drive, please call (203) 446-9739 x1327 (Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm), email development@bhcare.org or donate safely online.

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What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is the result of a person’s feeling of entitlement to have power and control over their partner or family member and their choice to use abusive behaviors to gain and maintain that power and control. Click here to learn more about domestic violence including warning signs and risk factors.

About UCDVS

UCDVS is dedicated to increasing awareness of domestic violence and its effect on the community, empowering those victimized by providing advocacy and safe and effective services, and to working for social change to eliminate domestic violence.

UCDVS believes that all persons have the right to live free from violence and fear, especially in their own homes. The program’s purpose is to provide practical assistance and support for victims of domestic violence, while seeking to create an environment that supports individual safety and breaks the cycle of violence.

UCDVS provides services for residents of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, West Haven, and Woodbridge.

Services

Walk-in Crisis Services & 24-hour Hotline
Emergency Safe Houses
Crisis Intervention
Individual Counseling
Support Groups
Court-based Advocacy
Domestic Violence Education & Prevention

Programs

Assistance, Support and Counseling Program (ASC)

ASC offers advocacy, counseling and case management services. The strength-based, client centered services empowers clients in self-determination of their futures. Case management services provided for up to one year. The supportive, trauma-responsive environment promotes safety and access to resources.

Teen Program

Love shouldn’t hurt, but for many teens it does. UCDVS can help if you have questions and need support. We also provide healthy relationship building counseling.

CHERISH (Caring Home for Elderly Receiving Insight, Safety, and Healing)

The CHERISH program provides safe shelter through partnerships with local and regional assisted living communities throughout Connecticut. The program provides domestic violence victims, ages 60 and older, with safe alternatives to living in abusive home environments. Supportive counseling and information is provided to assist late-life victims make decisions about their options and learn how to access community resources designed to support them. CHERISH also provides support with advocacy for legal, medical and housing assistance.

Download CHERISH brochure here.

Developing Options for Victim Education Classes (DOVE)

DOVE classes are 8-week classes held once a week to educate women about domestic violence and its effect on the family. The classes are intended for women who have been arrested on domestic violence charges or have Department of Children and Families involvement due to domestic violence. Women who are referred from DCF, court, and social service agencies are eligible for DOVE classes.

Volunteer and Internship Program

UCDVS utilizes volunteers in many aspects of programming (court, crisis work, committees, etc.). Each semester, including summer sessions, UCDVS accepts interns on undergraduate and graduate levels in the fields of counseling, psychology, social work, public health, and criminal justice, etc. All volunteers/interns must complete a mandatory 20-hour training series.

Funders

Domestic violence services are funded in part by the Office of Victim Services, Superior Court Operations Division, Victims of Crime Act Victim Assistance Grant Program, Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, City Missionary Fund of New Haven, Inc., Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Department of Justice, Department of Social Services, FEMA, Guilford Community Fund, Guilford Human Services Council, Hamden CDBG, Michael Bolton Charities, Milford CDBG, New Haven CDBG, Quinnipiac University – Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, The Connection, towns of Bethany, Branford, Derby, East Haven, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Woodbridge, United Way of Milford, University of New Haven, Valley United Way, Violence Against Women Act. (VAWA), Violence of Crime Act (VOCA), West Haven CDBG and Yale University – The Consultation Center.