New Interim Director for DVS

Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County is pleased to announce Richard Kravetz MFT as its new Interim Executive Director.

Mr. Kravetz, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, as well as a Juris Doctor Degree from Southwestern University School of Law, and more than twenty-five years experience as an attorney. "Domestic violence is on the rise during these stressful times, when our organization has suffered from government cuts. We are determined to continue to offer shelter and counseling to the families in our five facilities in the county, and Mr. Kravetz's skills will help us get through this period," says Board President Sally Hamilton.

Award-winning author and outgoing Executive Director Beverly Engel will continue her research and writing as an expert in domestic violence. She will serve as a consultant to Domestic Violence Solution's book project "Sharing Our Voices, Sharing Our Vision." Beverly Engel's expertise and outreach through her writing has helped our organization to advance its mission in our community. We appreciate her many contributions.

Domestic Violence Solutions is the only agency in Santa Barbara County focused solely on ending domestic violence. Last year we provided confidential shelter to 311 women and children, personal counseling to 910 individuals and phone assistance to 2,081 people who called our 24-hour crisis hotlines. Our trained advocates responded to 582 9-1-1 domestic violence calls with law enforcement officers and we educated more than 1,500 junior high and high school teens about healthy relationship skills and how to recognize and avoid violence in their relationships. To learn more about DVS or to donate please find us online at http://www.dvsolutions.org/donate or call (805) 963-4458.