In March 2016, ALSO Consultant Laney Gibbes traveled to Saipan, an island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), to represent ALSO in its role as the comprehensive technical assistance provider for the STOP Formula Grant Program. Laney attended the U.S. Territory Roundtable on Violence Against Women, hosted by The National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women. The purpose of the roundtable was to provide information and discuss relevant issues related to the STOP Program with Territorial Administrators of STOP funds and Territorial Coalition Directors. Laney presented on meeting allocation requirements, tips and tools for STOP Administrators, new elements of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), reauthorized by Congress in 2013, and STOP VAWA Certifications.

With her fellow Territorial Roundtable presenters and participants , Laney attended the “Women’s Meet & Greet Dinner Gathering,” an event intended to bring together the women of CNMI to celebrate International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 9. Read more about the event at the Saipan Tribune. 

Laney has consulted with ALSO since 2009 for the STOP Formula Grant Program, Children Exposed to Violence Grant Program, and the Consolidated Youth Grant Program.

Roundtable participants pictured (from left to right): Back row-Vilma Gonzalez-Castro; Monica Crisostomo; May Leong; Front row- Janet Santana; Laney Gibbes; John Cruz