Case Management

Case management begins as soon as immediate crisis is averted. When the client expresses interest in receiving ongoing services, the case manager discusses the client’s short and long-term needs and what types of services she may need. KAN-WIN provides culturally sensitive and comprehensive services with a staff capacity of Korean, Chinese, and English to women and children affected by domestic violence. All programs are multilingual, confidential, and provided free of charge.

Case management services include, but are not limited to:

+ Individual counseling: KAN-WIN offers advocate counseling by licensed professionals and supervised interns to domestic violence survivors at no cost. The counseling helps survivors heal from their traumas and resolve underlying personal problems so that they may move forward with their lives. 

+ Job skills development: Basic and intermediate computer classes, English tutoring, resume writing, interview skills, networking, etc.

+ Financial Empowerment Program: 8 weeks of financial management and self-empowerment workshops designed to empower survivors to understand and manage their finances. The program was originally developed by Allstate foundation. This workshop has been modified to assist Asian immigrant domestic violence survivors.

+ Assistance in applying for public benefits, if clients are eligible.

Case management provides comprehensive direct services to domestic violence survivors and empowers women to make informed decisions about ending violence in their lives. The caseworker and clients work as a team to discuss the clients’ short-term and long-term plan. The ultimate goal of case management is to empower survivors to end violence in their lives and build long-term self-sufficiency.

Elaine’s* husband owned a dry cleaning shop and forced her to work 12 to 14 hours a day like a slave. He ridiculed, criticized, and controlled her. He also isolated her from any other contact outside of the dry cleaning shop. Elaine has no savings, no knowledge about legal systems in the United States, and was unable to drive or use public transportation. She had a hard time envisioning a way out, but she knew that leaving was the only way to keep herself safe and sane. After calling KAN-WIN, Elaine began receiving intensive case management services. She was able to find an emergency shelter in Chicago, access the public health care system and public benefits, take English as a Second Language (ESL) and computer classes at the local community college, and obtain a driver’s license, all with the help of the case manager from KAN-WIN. Elaine says that she now feels safe and happy in a stable environment and lives as an independent woman, free of violence.
*Name changed to protect anonymity.