VICTIM ADVOCATE

The Victim Advocate is a grant position funded through the Attorney General’s Office. The victim advocate is designated to respond and assist victims of crime. The functions of this position include:

• Filing of Victim’s Compensation Applications

• Referring victims to resources that are specific to their needs

• Providing personal advocacy in the county judicial system

• Assisting with the filing of injunctions for protection (restraining orders)

• On-scene crisis intervention counseling

• Developing and discussing a safety plan with victims

• Assisting victims with safe shelter

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

The CIS unit has a commitment to the community that extends beyond its direct service to individuals in need. Specialists are available to conduct workshops, briefings, and other educational programs which typically focus on topics such as suicide, domestic abuse, sexual assaults and personal safety.

CRISIS THEORY

A crisis involves a disruption of a person’s normal or stable state. It occurs “when a person faces an obstacle to important life goals that is, for a time, insurmountable through the utilization of his/her customary methods of problem solving” (Caplan, 1961). When in crisis, an individual usually manifests:

1. Emotional upset (anxiety, anger, shame);

2. Biophysical upset (insomnia, headache, upset stomach);

3. Cognitive disturbance (disruption in usual problem solving ability, memory loss);

4. Behavioral changes (anger, irritability, crying).

SERVICES PROVIDED BY CIS

CIS will assess current individual needs while identifying natural (i.e., family/friends) and professional community supports. When needed, they will also provide referrals and links to community resources. The goal will be to return the individual to a “pre-crisis” level of functioning as soon as possible. Specific services provided by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are:

• Seniors at Risk Assistance Program (SARA)

• Work in Lieu of Arrest Program (WILA)

• Extra Special Person (ESP) Program: Bracelet identification program for persons with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease

SERVICE PROVIDED BY JUVENILE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST

The Juvenile Intervention Specialist (JIS) is trained in the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG) and is knowledgeable in the operational methods of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Juveniles in Need of Assistance (JINS) Program. The Juvenile Intervention Specialist is specially trained to identify persons with mental health illnesses, provide compassionate field intervention, provide information to locate appropriate area services, and coordination of follow-ups. In addition, team members provide safety information to the law enforcement community regarding mental health issues and serve as a Sheriff’s Office liaison to the providers of juvenile crisis intervention services.