Programs: The Eastland County Crisis Center, Inc. (ECCC) is available to provide services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The agency offers options to victims to allow them to make their own choices about how to proceed when an assault has taken place, no matter what time frame the assault took place. The 24-hour hotline that the agency maintains is handled by trained staff and volunteers (responders) that are able to answer questions and provide immediate assistance to victims. The phones are transferred after business hours, which are from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, to the agency's answering service. Calls that the answering service receives are dispatched to the primary responder that is on duty. When the primary responder calls the victim(s), it is their responsiblity to obtain the information needed and assess the case to determine the needs of the victim(s) and to provide immedate services. If, at any time, the victim(s) requires face-to-face assistance, then it becomes mandatory for the primary responder to contact the secondary responder to assist in back-up. In most instances, our agency is requested to assist the victim(s) at the hospital and/or police department. Upon arrival at the location the proper personnel escort the responders to the victim(s). In cases where the responders are requested to meet the victim(s) at a residence location and if the offender has not been detained, responders are required to request back-up by law enforcement when dispatched to the residence. The purpose of the responders is to assist the victim(s) with their immediate needs at the time of the incident in addition to insuring that their physical and emotional needs are met before leaving. The services that are provided can include but, are not limited to, Crisis Counseling(Peer) - (when a victim is in the state of trauma, usually after an assault has taken place), Emergency Transportation (i.e. to medical care, shelters, law enforcement, etc.), Emergency Legal Assistance (i.e. Emergency Protective Orders, Ex Parte Orders, etc.), Justice Support/Advocacy (i.e. contacting local law enforcement, DA's office, etc.), and Information/Referral (information and referral to other services and resources that are available). Information and Referral is available and provided to all individuals that are seeking assistance that may not be in need of immediate face-to-face services. Directly after the initial intake, staff provides follow-up services to the victim(s) to insure that all possible options were utilized and to address any other concerns or needs that the client may have. From this point foward staff handles the case and begins to work with the victim(s) by assisting them assessing short-term needs, identifying any unmet needs and utilizing available resources to help make the victim(s) feel safe and secure. After making sure that the victim(s) immediate and short-term needs are met, the victim(s) along with staff can begin setting long-term goals. Long-term goals can include: Safety Planning, Assistance with Crime Victim Compensation, Support Group, Personal Advocacy (contacting social agencies, creditors, etc.), Case Management, Telephone Contact, Information and Education and Resource Assistance is handled through our Caseworker/Advocate, as well as other staff members. ECCC staff and volunteers strive to see that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have the resources and information needed to become confident and independent.
