Grants Supporting Violence Prevention

VNA has proudly supported several domestic violence and sexual assault service agencies over the past 25 years. Connections for Abused Women and their Children, for example, operates the Hospital Crisis Intervention Program (HCIP) at Cook County’s Stroger Hospital. Due to its unique location within the hospital’s Emergency Department, the program offers an early and timely opportunity to screen for domestic violence and immediately provide or refer to support services. The onsite location also allows HCIP professionals to train medical personnel on how best to interact with those victimized by domestic violence. More than 100 clients receive comprehensive domestic violence services through the HCIP each year, including learning about their legal rights and safety planning. Importantly, the dozens of hospital staff trained annually via HCIP also report increased understanding of, and comfort with, screening their patients for domestic violence.

Resilience has also earned several VNA grants. Formerly known as Rape Victim Advocates, Resilience delivers crisis intervention for sexual assault survivors at 16 hospitals, the Cook County Jail, and Howard Brown Health Center. Professional training is also provided to equip personnel in schools, faith communities, and other settings with resources to identify and understand sexual and intimate partner violence, stalking, and domestic violence. Each year Resilience serves over 21,000 people through crisis intervention, medical/legal advocacy, trauma therapy, and professional training. It has grown to be the largest provider of comprehensive sexual assault services in the Chicago metropolitan area and continues to strategically expand its footprint.