About DVCLH

Agency Profile:

The Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline is dedicated to alleviating the problem of domestic abuse in Hawaii.  We are the only agency in the State that accepts large numbers of high risk divorce, temporary restraining order, post-decree and paternity cases.  We are also the only agency in the community with a full complement of services to assist as a victim navigates the system and moves her (his) life to freedom and self-sufficiency.  With advocates accompanying victims to court, seeking financial support, pursuing educational goals, obtaining child support, or maneuvering the military, medical or mental health systems a victim is empowered and closer to safety if she is working with one of our programs.

DVCLH was founded in 1990 and incorporated in 1991.  With two staff in the beginning, we are now fully staffed at 52.  Training and education, technical assistance and community building, direct services and public awareness are amoung the commitments the agency makes to the people of Hawaii.

The Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline staff is deeply involved at the community level and participate in working committees coordinated by government agencies such as the Department of the Attorney General, The Department of Education and The First Judicial Circuit.  We also work collaboratively with local associations and agencies like The Hawaii State Bar Association, The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, The Hawaii Association of Non-Profit Organizations, Advocates for Immigrant Women, The Women's Fund, and Hawaii Women Lawyers.

Our work has become known across the country and our management staff participates frequently in initiatives related to post-traumatic stress disorder, needs of multi-ethnic communities, family practice issues, and cutting edge challenges facing domestic violence programs and survivors.

The agency has four departments overseeing direct services specialized programs and administration.  We provide outreach in civil and criminal court, accept referrals from many community programs and public agencies, and seek opportunities to let the community become better acquainted with our special services provided by expert staff intimately trained on the needs and challenges facing victims of abuse.  Our target population includes youth, immigrants, Filipina and adult victims.

The cost for our legal services is based on a sliding fee scale with hourly costs assessed for those in a higher income bracket.  Training and technical assistance is also fee based while court outreach is available to every victim seeking the courts protection or appearing as a witness in a criminal case.

Support, crisis intervention, safety planning, risk assessments, representation in court, education in the classroom and participation in community efforts to become more responsive to the needs of victims are the areas of the agency's expertise.  Continue familiarizing yourself with our work by looking at other areas of the website.

Staff

• Nanci Kreidman, M.A.
  Executive Director
• Pauline Ohlendorf-Chun
  Director Of Operations
• Cindy Iannce Spencer
  Director Of Client & Community Services

Board Of Directors

DVCLH has a governing board, consisting of 14 community representatives who serve without compensation. All our members are deeply committed to helping victims. The directors meet monthly. Every member contributes annually to DVCLH. The Board in conjunction with the Executive Director develops policy and guides operations. They provide the agency with legal consultation, reviewing documents, assessing feasibility, and offering fiscal guidance.

• Rob Alston (President)
• Sandra Lacar (Treasurer)
• Sandi Chun, Esq. (Secretary)
• Katie Bennett, Esq.
• Peter Gellatly
• Herbert Hussey
• Laurel Johnston
• James Lewis, Esq.
• Lynne Jenkins McGivern, Esq.
• Bradley R. Pulice, Esq.
• Gladys A. Quinto, JD
• Peter Rosegg
• Alexandra Jane Sueda, M.D.