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Our impact
  • We answered over 4,000 calls to our 24-hour crisis line.
  • We supported 750 individuals with counselling sessions.
  • We provided 6,898 nights in our shelter to survivors seeking immediate safety.
  • We assisted 18 survivors transition into permanent safe housing.
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Safety planning
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Paw-sitive News!
SAFE HAVEN
A Santa Barbara Countywide program that assists survivors of family violence and their companion animals!
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2022 Annual Report
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Our Staff

Leadership Staff

Ken Oplinger

Executive Director

Ken has 27 years of experience in nonprofit management with Chambers of Commerce in California, Oregon, and Washington State. Most recently, he co-founded Blue Door Consultancy, a grant writing and nonprofit consulting firm with clients across ten states, raising over $15 million in private and government grant funding.

Ken is a graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon (BA in Political Science and Spanish) and the Institute for Organizational Management at UCLA. He is the Past Board Chair of WACE (Western Association of Chamber Executives), served on the Planning Commission of the City of Visalia (CA) for three years, the Planning Commission for the City of Blaine, Washington for six years, three as the chair, and served on the Blaine City Council. He is a past winner of the Russell E. Pettit “Excellence in Leadership Award” and was honored as the WACE Executive of the Year.

Tina Ballue

Director of Development

Tina has dedicated over seven years to Development and Events for local non-profits, successfully implementing innovative fundraising strategies that have led to the most successful campaigns. Her adeptness at fostering meaningful relationships with supporters and volunteers has made a lasting impact. Prior to this, Tina spent four years as the Director of Special Events at the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, where she excelled in organizing high-profile events that significantly boosted the organization’s outreach and funding.

A graduate of Westmont College in Montecito, CA, Tina was an accomplished Track & Field athlete and continues to nurture her passion for sports as a coach at San Marcos High School. Originally from Siskiyou County, CA, her deep roots in community involvement have shaped her into the passionate advocate she is today. Her hobbies—photography, event planning, and volunteering—reflect her commitment to service, as she actively engages with organizations like Partners in Education, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, and the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County.

Cristina Caratachea

Director of Administration

Cristina is a local, born and raised in Santa Barbara. She comes to DVS with over 25 years of experience in both the government & private sectors, with expansive administration & finance experience. She has been a commissioned Notary public for the State of California for the past 8 years.

Cristina’s background includes working for a local Advertising Company, City Government & most recently, for a reputable real estate investment, Construction, Development, and Commercial & residential property Management Company. Due to her expansive knowledge, she has been able to fill many positions within each employment.

Cristina is passionate about her community and brings leadership skills committed to the DVS mission.

Carolina Najera-Magana

Clinical Director

Carolina Najera-Magana is the Clinical Director for Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County.

Carolina Najera-Magana has worked for DVS for over 8 years over the last 14 years. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from UCSB and her M.S. in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She has worked with Domestic Violence victims since 2004 when she began with DVS as a trainee. She was hired on as an intern and became licensed in 2011. During her career, she has worked with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, persistent and severe mentally ill clients, dual-diagnosis clients, and sexually offending teens. She is dedicated to her work with domestic violence victims.

Veronica Cubillo

Director of Programs and Client Services

Veronica, a graduate of California State University, Northridge, has built an impressive career dedicated to public service and advocacy. Her journey began with a pivotal internship at the police department, which sparked her interest in supporting vulnerable populations. During her final semester at CSUN, Veronica gained hands-on experience at the Self-Help Legal Access Centers at the Chatsworth Superior Courthouse, assisting individuals in obtaining domestic violence restraining orders (DVROs). This experience solidified her commitment to advocacy and client support, setting the stage for her future endeavors.

In 2016, Veronica joined Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) as an Advocate, where she passionately supported individuals in crisis. Her leadership and dedication quickly became evident, leading to her promotion to Assistant Director in 2021, where she managed multiple sites and led her team with both expertise and compassion. By 2022, Veronica had ascended to the position of Director of Program & Client Services, a role that allows her to combine her expertise in crisis intervention with her passion for education and resource dissemination. Veronica believes that education is a powerful tool for empowerment, and she is committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and growth, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.

Veronica shares, “I believe in sharing the power of education and resources because we can only get better if we continually learn. It’s why I love my job. I can share DVS as a resource and learn about other resources that can better help our staff and, in return, better help our clients.”

Jimmy Poggione

Director of Facilities

Jimmy, the Director of Facilities at DVS, began his journey with the organization in January 2017 as a part-time maintenance assistant. Initially working three days a week in Santa Maria, he focused on painting and handling small maintenance projects. By the end of that year, Jimmy’s dedication and skills had led him to manage both the Santa Maria and Lompoc sites. Today, Jimmy oversees all four DVS properties, ensuring clients’ and staff’s safety and well-being.

Jimmy attributes his maintenance skills to his stepdad, who taught him the intricacies of the trade. His passion for non-profits stems from his mother, who served as the Executive Director for the Women’s Shelter before it evolved into DVS. This unique blend of practical skills and a heartfelt commitment to community service has made him an invaluable asset to the organization. His role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from ensuring the structural integrity of facilities to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for everyone involved.

One of Jimmy’s favorite aspects of his job is witnessing the positive transformations in the lives of the clients. “My favorite part is being able to go out in public and see somebody who has been in our shelter and recognizes me, and they are flourishing,” Jimmy shares. He takes immense pride in being a positive role model, demonstrating to the younger generation that kindness and care can come from unexpected places. Jimmy’s dedication and compassion make him a cornerstone of the DVS team, continuously contributing to the organization’s mission and success.

Board of Directors

MORGAN STEFFEN
President
LAYLA FARINPOUR

Vice President

Michelle bird
Dawnielle brownell
Clara Holm
Heather Martinez
MORGAN NOBLE
Kerry o'rourke
Brandi Redman
Brett Weichbrod

Privacy Policy

Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County respects the privacy of our online and offline donors, clients, volunteers, and friends. As a result, we will not sell trade or share our donors’ contact information with anyone else at any time, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. DVS periodically communicates with donors and friends through enewsletters and other mailings. If you wish to be excluded from these communications, you may unsubscribe at any time. For more information, contact Domestic Violence Solutions at (805) 963-4458.

Read more about our Policies & Procedures.
EIN: 95-3495141