Grant Proposal

GUARDIAN ANGEL COMMUNITY SERVICES

Sexual Assault Services Center Program Plan

FY2012

Agency Name: Guardian Angel Community Services

Address: 1550 Plainfield Road

Joliet, Illinois 60435

Telephone: (815) 729-0930

Fax: (815) 744-6087 E-Mail: [email protected]

Hotline: (815) 730-8984 EIN: 36-2170860

Legal Status: Private not for profit tax exempt

Agency Mission Statement

It is the mission of Guardian Angel Community Services to improve the quality of people’s lives so that they become empowered to realize their God-given potential.

Agency History

On October 19, 1897 Guardian Angel Home (GAH) came into existence as a facility to care for dependent and neglected children, under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet Franciscans). The present structure was built in 1926 in response to a growing need, which exceeded the capacities of two earlier locations in the community. In 2005, the Agency’s name was changed to Guardian Angel Community Services (GACS). Over the years the Agency has given shelter, education, security, and loving guidance to hundreds of children—many of whom have gone on in life to become productive and responsible members of our community.

The modern era of Guardian Angel Community Services began in 1971 when services, staff, and administration were revised to address the increasingly complex problems of children and families. In 1973 the Agency became a licensed child welfare agency, recognized for its purpose and its capacity to provide a full range of services to benefit children and families. Guardian Angel Community Services has, from its beginnings, operated as a not-for-profit enterprise.

Professionally-designed and operated programs now offer support to victims of physical and emotional abuse, parents seeking more effective skills, families in crisis or conflict, and children with under-developed social and personal controls.

Sexual Assault Service Center

Program History

In 1992 the Director of Groundwork became a member of the Multi-Agency Survivor Services Committee of the Will County Community Services Council. The committee was formed to help victims of a tornado that had recently devastated part of our community. The committee expanded its task to look at unmet needs within Will County. The committee identified an unmet need -- crisis intervention services for victims of rape/sexual assault.

The Sexual Assault Consortium continued the work of the Multi-Agency Survivor Services Committee. This group identified Groundwork as the program to develop and implement crisis intervention sexual assault services. In 1992 Mutual Ground, a sexual assault service program located in Aurora, Illinois, provided Groundwork staff with 40-hours of Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault approved training. This prepared staff to begin services.

In 1993 -1994 Groundwork provided sexual assault crisis intervention services with its existing staff. In 1994, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center through its Social Accountability and Community Collaboration Grant Program awarded Groundwork the “seed money” to hire separate staff. In 1994 Groundwork officially expanded its mission to include sexual assault victims.

In 1997 the Board of Guardian Angel Community Services established the Sexual Assault Service Center as an agency program. This decision separated the delivery of domestic violence services and sexual assault services. In 1998 Guardian Angel Community Services became a full member of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault. The initial services included crisis counseling, a 24-hour hotline, prevention education, and legal and medical advocacy. At that time the program responded regularly to one area hospital. In 2000 the program expanded its counseling services to include children aged three and up. In 2006, through the program’s prevention education services, the Prom ‘N Aide Project was addedPrevention, wherein students are offered the opportunity to obtain free prom dresses in exchange for attending a 2-hour dating safety class.

Mission

The Sexual Assault Service Center is a program of Guardian Angel Community Services. It offers victims of rape/sexual assault supportive services to help them regain a sense of control over their lives and healing from a violent crime.

The Sexual Assault Service Center views rape/sexual assault as a crime of power and control. The violence affects both individuals and society. The Center seeks to address the systemic and structural issues that underlie violence through institutional/community advocacy and violence prevention education.

GACS Board Adopted 4/27/98

Program Narrative

A. Staffing/Training

The Program Supervisor administers the Sexual Assault Service Center. Children’s Counselors are supervised by their Clinical Supervisor. The Supervisor supervises the Prevention Educators, Clinical Supervisor, Adult Counselor, and Advocates.

Staff Positions

Program Supervisor Full Time

Prevention Educator/Project Coordinator Full Time

Volunteer Liaison/Advocate Part Time

Advocate Full Time

Prevention Coordinator Full Time

Adult Counselor Part Time

Adult Counselor Full Time

Children’s Counselor Part Time

Lead Child Counselor Part Time

Interns

Volunteer Medical/Legal Advocates

It is agency policy to hire persons with the professional degrees, or in some cases the experience, required to perform position responsibilities. Upon hire all staff members are provided with an orientation to Guardian Angel Community Service’s (GACS) multi-program services as well as agency policies and procedures.

Initial training includes 40-hours of ICASA approved sexual assault training; this must be completed prior to any contact, however slight with clients or client files. Additional training in order for staff to be cross-trained for domestic violence must be completed by the end of the first year of employment. All staff members are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of job-related continuing education annually. The training must include, but is not limited to emergency procedures, cultural diversity, mandated child abuse and elder abuse reporting, crisis intervention and de-escalation, drug awareness, information specific to working with survivors of sexual violence, and referral sources and procedures for assisting clients to connect with referrals sources. The employee, with her or his supervisor, projects ongoing in-service and training needs. Completion of this training is part of the annual evaluation. The Supervisor approves in-service training based on GACS and ICASA requirements and staff recommendations. Every year each staff member has the opportunity to attend at least one ICASA training. Weekly staff meetings provide time for short reviews. Individual monthly supervision is a minimum requirement. Clinical Supervision is provided for 1 hour weekly to full time counseling staff during their first year serving sexual violence survivors, and minimally 1 hour twice per month thereafter. Part time counseling staff must have a minimum of 1 hour per month of clinical supervision after their first year.

Volunteers who provide direct services receive the same 40-hour training as paid staff. It is preferred that they also complete the required hours to be cross trained for domestic violence services. The Advocates arrange for monthly volunteer meetings, in-services, and on-going supervision. Volunteers who provide indirect services are given a brief orientation to the Sexual Assault Service Center. Volunteers are encouraged to complete 6 hours of continuing education each year.

B. Catchment Area

SASC primarily serves Will, Grundy, and Eastern Kendall Counties. Services are available to those outside this area, upon request. As a rule, staff members assure that persons living outside of the Will-Grundy area are aware of similar services in their area, but will offer services through SASC if the clients prefer.

C. Funding

ICASA requires “that in-person crisis intervention services and advocacy are free of charge for sexual assault victims.” Guardian Angel Community Services supports the Center’s services at no fee to survivors and their significant others through state and federal grants, United Way Funds, restricted donations, and community support. Counseling, prevention education, and community awareness programs are offered free of charge. Donations to the Center are welcomed.

D. Eligibility for Service

The Sexual Assault Service Center (SASC) serves survivors of sexual violence, adults and children, and their non-offending significant others. Identified perpetrators of sexual violence are served through referral only. Admission is based on self-referral and client consent. When serving a minor less than 12 years of age, parental consent confirms services. Minors 12 through 16 and adults with guardians are eligible for up to 5 counseling sessions at 45 minutes each prior to receiving parental/guardian approval, in accordance with state law. Youth who are 17 have full ability to consent for services without parental involvement. SASC accepts referrals from external sources. Staff contacts the referral to identify her/his interest in one or more services.

Services are provided without regard for race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, physical, mental, or emotional disability. Crisis intervention and information/referral services are available to all clients. Based on an assessment, however, one or more services may be deferred.

· A survivor who requires mental health services or any other service not provided by SASC is referred to appropriate internal programs as well as outside agencies.

· A survivor, who is suicidal, exhibits severe symptoms of mental illness and/or is not taking the prescribed medication, or exhibits chemical dependency is referred to an appropriate health care agency.

If the individual is not a survivor of sexual violence, or the significant other of a survivor of sexual violence, staff members make every effort to determine the applicant’s service needs and link the person with appropriate services.

E. Confidentiality

Strict rules of confidentiality govern sexual assault services. Confidentiality with survivors is assured in compliance with Illinois law, 735 ILCS 5/8-802. 1 “Confidentiality of Statements Made to Rape Crisis Personnel”. The 40-hours ICASA approved training protects the privilege provided under the statute.

A signed release of information is required to provide client information to another party. No third party information may be released. Staff educates clients on the implications of releasing information in sexual assault or abuse cases.

F. Safety/Security

All doors to GACS are locked; only staff members have keys. Entrance into the Administration area is through the front door. Request for entrance is screened. The receptionist then releases the locked door. Upon entry the person stops at the main desk. The receptionist announces the person and requests permission to direct the visitor to SASC offices.

SASC offices are located on the ground floor of the main building. To assure confidentiality clients may access this area without going through the main entrance. A buzzer system on the doors off the west parking lots ring in the SASC offices. Staff opens the door for the client.

G. Availability

· SASC maintains a 24-hour, 365 day hotline. When staff members are unavailable to answer the office hotline, Crisis Line of Will County acts as an answering service. Crisis Line workers are trained and have procedures to follow when they answer a call for SASC. The hospitals, Will County Crisis Line, Office of the State’s Attorney, law enforcement, and other agencies have the hotline number. Brochures listing the hotline number are distributed within the Will-Grundy area.

· SASC maintains 24-hour on-call medical advocacy. Staff and volunteers maintain this service through a pager system. The pager number is available to medical and law enforcement personnel for their use. Clients may access an on-call staff only through the hotline.

· SASC provides 24-hour in-person advocacy for victims with hospitals, police, states attorney, and the court. Advocates conduct this service.

· SASC works closely with other area service providers and maintains networking agreements to assure that staff members may respond in an informed manner to clients’ needs for services.

· The Program Supervisor assures that a request for crisis intervention counseling is scheduled within one working day of the request.

H. Service Delivery System

In compliance with ICASA service standards, the Center is dedicated to victim-centered services and creating an atmosphere where staff and volunteers create an environment where victims can understand, speak about, and define the painstaking steps to recovery from sexual victimization. In keeping with victim-centered services, clients determine their service goals and the pace at which they are able to address their trauma. Staff members provide services that nurture the client’s ability to express their needs and goals, while maintaining and modeling all appropriate ethical boundaries.

The Center provides “comprehensive services to adult victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse, significant others, and the community. At least crisis intervention and information and referral must be provided for the child victims and their significant others.” (ICASA Standard and Service Manual p.3-2). As of February 2000, children ages 3 and up also receive comprehensive services, including counseling.

1. Hotline

The 24-hour hotline serves survivors, significant others, community members and professionals. The hotline number is listed in area directories. Services include, but are not exclusive to, information/referral, crisis intervention counseling, or requests for medical or legal advocacy. Hotline workers conduct services in a calm, professional manner. Each hotline call is documented on a Non-Client Interaction form with date, time, and outcome and signed by staff. The Interactions are maintained in a binder that comprises a Hotline Log. The Hotline Binder is maintained in the file room.

Hotline services include, but are not exclusive to, the following:

a) crisis intervention,

b) screening for eligibility and conducting an intake,

c) making arrangements for follow-up services,

d) providing information and referral services,

e) paging on-call advocates for services,

f) scheduling services with appropriate staff; and

g) communicating messages to the appropriate staff.

2. Information and Referral

Information/referral is available by telephone or in-person. Directories of referral sources are available to all SASC staff members. Information maintained includes the name of the service provider, its location, telephone number, services description, fees, languages offered, eligibility requirements, and contact person.

Information and referral services include telephone contacts, distribution of information to the community at information/health fairs and the provision of service and awareness information at community events. It serves as a form of outreach to the community and may be a single service to a client, significant other, interested party, or professional. It may be part of other services. This service offers information about SASC, other sexual assault services, or services which may benefit the person. Information about the subject of sexual assault is also part of this service. The SASC office contains service directories, a variety of brochures, pamphlets, posters, and other resources to support this service. All information and referral calls are documented on Non-Client Interactions, in a client file, or on other reporting forms, as is appropriate.

3. Intake/Assessment Procedure

The intake process begins with the request for services. Initially the client is assessed for imminent danger, risk of lethality, or danger of infliction of significant bodily harm to self or others. The client is also assessed for emotional status and needs. During the assessment process this information is expanded upon and additional information including strengths, coping skills, and assets that facilitate service participation and success. The assessment will determine the most appropriate service alternatives for the client. The intake may be initiated by telephone or in person.

Telephone

An Intake may occur by telephone as stated.

In-Person

The first contact may be by appointment or unscheduled. In-person services are conducted at various locations in the Will-Grundy area. These include: SASC office, GACS Morris satellite office, Silver Cross Medical Center (Joliet), Silver Cross Health Center ( Homer Glen), Morris Community Hospital, Provena Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, Bolingbrook Hospital, the Plainfield Emergency Department, the county courthouses, and at other off-site locations.

During an Intake staff extends a sensitive and empathic presence, remaining alert to the client’s feelings and needs. The presence of current or past sexual violence determines eligibility. At the first in-person session the client and staff review the necessary documents to assure an informed consent for services.

It may take up to two in-person sessions to complete a thorough intake. This process includes:

4. Crisis Intervention

This is a very short-term, intensive, and direct counseling that assists the survivor or significant other in returning to the pre-crisis level of functioning. It may be conducted in-person, by telephone, or as part of medical/ legal advocacy services. Information regarding Rape Trauma Syndrome is shared with the survivor and significant other. Staff document the service and arrange, with the client’s consent, for follow-up contact.

5. Supportive Counseling

Individual

Individual counseling is a cooperative process between counselor and client. The counselor encourages, upholds, and sustains the clients’ internal strengths and assists the clients to find methods of responding to traumatic incidents that improve their abilities to respond to the world around them. Clients are reassured that their situation can improve through a process of identifying strengths and supports that are the basis of realistic and achievable goals. Clients are assisted to develop internal and external support systems, manage stress, and improve daily functioning. All counseling is voluntary.

Office and counseling areas are designed to provide a safe, confidential, and comforting service environment. The counselor individualizes counseling styles and modalities to assist clients in their recovery. All interactions are documented and placed in the client file. SASC counselors have the support of a clinical supervisor in developing effective skills.

The SASC counseling schedule allows for clients to arrange individual sessions in a timely manner. If there is a waiting period for counseling, clients are offered optional services such as telephone counseling or a referral to another counseling agency.

Group

Group counseling is a cooperative process in which clients, guided by trained counselors, support each other in their recovery process. The group provides a safe, confidential, and comforting environment for survivors of sexual violence to share their common strengths, concerns, and feelings. Counselors facilitate the group process and provide appropriate information and hand-outs. The counselor works to assist group members to identify strengths and mutual support, while increasing coping skills and improving daily functioning.

SASC offers support groups held at GACS and at Joliet Central High School, and Joliet West High School. They are also held at other locations as needed. These groups may be designed for a specific population or topic such as: marital rape, date rape, or incest and are scheduled to accommodate the schedules of the client and service provided. The counselor creates a group service plan that may evolve with the needs of the group. The counselor meets with each group member to evaluate the group’s help in her recovery process on a periodic basis. Services are documented on a counseling interaction and recorded in individual files.

6. Medical Advocacy

Direct Service

The client’s needs and the exercise of victim’s rights is the priority of medical advocacy. The advocate assures that the victim receives care in accordance with the Sexual Assault Services Emergency Treatment Act, 410 ILCS 70/1. A survivor may request medical advocacy as part of a crisis intervention service. However, as a rule, medical advocacy is initiated through the intervention of health care personnel.

An advocate arrives at the emergency room within one hour of a page. With the victim’s consent the advocate remains throughout the examination and evidence collection process, offering empathic and supportive services. The advocate provides information about the rights of crime victims, the evidence gathering components and process, sexually transmitted disease, morning after contraception, and anonymous HIV testing. The advocate extends SASC follow-up services and provides information/referrals. The advocate documents all services and maintains the records in the client’s file.

It may not be appropriate to undertake a formal intake with the survivor while conducting medical advocacy. This may be done during the follow-up call which must be conducted by the advocate or her designee within 48 hours after the completion of the initial medical advocacy services, unless the client requests a different arrangement. Aftercare related to medical advocacy services extends beyond the emergency room. Advocates provide follow-up calls and offer to accompany survivors for HIV and other testing appointments. They assist them in exercising their rights under the Sexual Assault Services Emergency Treatment Act, the Crime Victims’ Compensation Act, Civil No Contact Order Act, and other applicable laws.

When at the emergency room, the on-call advocate provides emotional support and information to a family member(s) or a significant other(s). The advocate can conduct an intake based on service needs, services provided, and the party’s consent.

7. Criminal Justice Advocacy

Direct Service

Legal advocacy is victim-centered. The priority is with the survivor, not the institution. The advocate provides the victim with an empathic, supportive, and non-judgmental presence. In addition, the advocate explains to the survivor reporting options and procedures, answers questions about the criminal justice process as it relates to sexual assault, victim’s rights, and victim compensation. With the survivor’s consent the advocate provides emotional support and accompaniment throughout the criminal justice proceedings.

This service may be initiated by the victim or through networking agreements with law enforcement agencies. SASC provides 24-hour, in-person legal advocacy for victims with police, states’ attorneys’ offices and courts. The advocate responds to police and victim requests for crisis intervention and advocacy within sixty minutes. The advocate documents service in client file.

8. Institutional Advocacy

Indirect Service

Institutional advocacy works with systems and institutions on behalf of all sexual assault victims. The goal is to ensure sensitive, effective policies and procedures for handling sexual assault cases.

The Program Supervisor, assisted by the Advocate, works to secure written agreements with local medical institutions, law enforcement agencies, criminal justice personnel, Department of Children and Family Services, and other institutions. Staff maintain contact with personnel in these agencies, providing them with relevant information on the subject of sexual assault. They keep them informed of SASC services and encourage referrals. Staff document all interactions related to institutional advocacy.

9. Professional Training

Professional training is provided to ensure that professionals and interested parties receive in-depth education, updated information, and skill building to intervene effectively and empathetically on behalf of sexual assault victims.

SASC schedules professional trainings for health care, law enforcement professionals, and volunteers. Staff arranges professional trainings with other social service agencies, educational institutions, and other groups. Staff documents this service.

10. Prevention Education

Prevention Education is a service offered to educational institutions, social service providers, and community groups. This service provides basic information on SASC services and the subject of sexual violence. The prevention educator assures that this service is available to the community. Effective networking within the community accentuates the promotion of the program.

The model is family-centered and systems oriented. It involves systems within the community including the family, education, religious, and health care to reach at-risk populations. When making presentations to children, guidelines include steps to encourage parental participation when appropriate.

The presentations incorporate information and materials prepared by respected organizations in the field of violence prevention. The prevention educator develops and presents age-appropriate curricula, introducing topics and actions relevant to the prevention and deterrence of sexual violence. Topics include, but are not exclusive to; myths associated with the origins and perpetration of sexual assault, the effect of sexual assault on the victim, characteristics of an offender, and Rape Trauma Syndrome. Staff document presentations.

I. Reports

The Program Supervisor submits required reports in a timely manner to the Senior Program Director. They are reviewed and then provided to the Chief Executive Officer for further review and evaluation on the progress of program goals/objectives and direct services. Financial and budget reports for all contracts are developed in cooperation with the Chief Financial Officer, who prepares the respective monthly, quarterly and year end reports. SASC reports include the following:

a) reports required by the Chief Executive Officer or other officers of Guardian Angel Community Services,

b) any reports required by the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault and other funding bodies,

c) year end reports to all funding agencies; and

d) other reports as they may arise.

J. Sexual Assault Services Center: Service Definitions and

Standards

Advocacy -- To act with or on behalf of others through direct intervention, empowerment or representation; this is a required service for ICASA membership

· Individual Advocacy refers to action taken with or on behalf of victims and significant others; response time for crisis intervention medical and legal advocacy 60 minutes; required for ICASA membership Documentation: Client File, Consent for Advocacy

· Institutional Advocacy refers to work with systems, agencies, and institutions on behalf of all sexual assault victims; required for ICASA membership Documentation: Advocate Activity Report

Assessment -- An instrument to collect and analyze information, describe the nature of service needs and to direct a client’s service plan; initial assessment begins at first contact and is completed by the second in-person session. Documentation: Client Intake, Service/Intake Assessment, Client File

Case Notes -- A written, signed and dated statement by the service provider describing the delivery, interaction and length of services between the client or significant other according to ICASA standards. Documentation: Case Notes, Group Notes

Case Review -- A regular and periodic examination of a client’s service needs and problems, service delivery goals/objectives and the timelines required to achieve them, intervention plans including outcomes

· Internal Review is two-fold. 1) It is a routine service conducted between staff and supervisor. 2) It is a scheduled activity of Guardian Angel Community Service’s Performance and Quality Improvement Plan.

· External Review is a joint case review with staff from another program or agency to provide the client with coordinated services. Documentation: Case Notes, Service Plan, QI Reports, Release of Information

Client File -- opened with the provision of direct service and client consent with an identification number; staff documents file access with date and signature; closed after three months inactivity; destroyed after three years or according to contract obligations Documentation: Client Rolodex

Client Rights -- basic rights of a person who consents to services as related to the agreement for services, social work and ICASA service standards; shared with client by the second in-person contact Documentation: Client Rights

Confidentiality -- a fundamental ethical and professional principle governing disclosure of information in accordance with ICASA standards; shared at first contact with all persons served; confirmed at the first in-person session; document dated and signed by client and staff Documentation: Confidentiality Agreement in Client File

Crisis Intervention – Very short-term, intensive and direct counseling that assists the victim or significant other in returning to the pre-crisis level of functioning; provided within 24-hours of request; this is a required service for ICASA membership. Documentation: Client file case notes or Non-Client Interaction

In-Person Counseling -- Supportive scheduled service provided to survivor, significant other or family member by trained staff; this is a required service for ICASA membership Documentation: Client file case notes

Group Counseling -- A supportive service facilitated by staff to encourage sexual assault survivors to journey together in the healing process and to extend peer support Documentation: Group Notes, Client file,

Hotline – 24-hour access to trained staff for crisis intervention and information services; offers immediate contact; pages advocates; arranged contact with trained staff within 20 minutes of call; this is a required service for ICASA membership Documentation: Non-Client Interaction

Networking Agreements -- signed agreements with agencies to support direct services and to establish collaboration in the service of sexual assault victims Documentation: Networking Agreement

Prevention Education -- age-appropriate service to build awareness and to inform audiences on subjects related to sexual abuse and assault; written objectives for each presentation with an outline of materials; documentation includes type of presentation, date, time, number in attendance and staff; this is a required service for membership in ICASA Documentation: Advocate’s Activity Report

Procedure Manual -- updated and detailed steps for carrying out activities, services, reports and maintaining safety; copy distributed to staff; Documentation: Procedure Manual, Personnel File

Professional Training -- a single training or an ongoing service to assist professionals and volunteers with in-depth education and skills to intervene effectively with sexual abuse and assault victims; written outlines with objectives, educational methods and corresponding materials; documentation indicates professional category, date, time and number of participants Documentation: Advocate’s Activity Report, Certificate of Completion

Rape Trauma Syndrome – a special type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that is discussed with clients within the first two in-person counseling sessions as required by ICASA standards Documentation: Case Notes

Release of Information -- document dated and signed by staff and client; identifies a single name with agency (relationship) to whom information may be released; states the information that may be released; records expiration date Document: Release of Information, Client File

Service Plan -- document, dated and signed by client and staff, by the fourth in-person session; records counseling goals and objectives established by client and counselor working together; counselor may suggest particular issues for the client’s consideration. As age appropriate, the client participates in evaluation of progress toward goals. Staff maintains progress notes including outcomes. Program review occurs at three month intervals or at staff request. Documentation: Service Plan in client file

Telephone Counseling -- supportive service offered to clients Documentation: Client file case notes

Termination – a decision and process to end services based on a client’s participation, completion or significant progress on service plan goals; client informed of termination Documentation: Case notes, Case Summary

Documents on GAH1/Quality Assurance and Training/Program Plans/SASC/SASC Program Plans 2011