The Tom Green County Commissioners Court approved memorandums of understanding between several entities and the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Intervention Unit during their regular meeting last Tuesday.
The County created the Crisis Intervention Unit in 1999, with funding from the Victims Of Crime Act. Its purpose is to provide care and guidance in a wide variety of emergency situations.
According to information on the CIU website, victim advocates are available at all times and provide care at crime and accident scenes, in addition to many other duties.
Victim advocates are not law enforcement personnel, but are trained to assist with:
- Applications for emergency protective orders, in cases of family or dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
- Accompaniment for victims in the emergency room, with members of law enforcement or in court.
- Referral of victims to appropriate area agencies for housing, medical, transportation, food, utilities, and clothing.
- Informing victims of their rights and resources available to them.
- Act as a liaison between victims and law enforcement.
- To keep up with the status of their cases
- Transporting victims to local shelters, and providing needed
Although they receive funding from a few sources, the CIU does accept donations that allow them to help some victims with limited funds.
The CIU Office is located at 17 S. Chadbourne St., Suite 102, San Angelo, TX 76903, and the coordinator is Roxanne Sloan.
Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
You can reach them by telephone at 325-703-2014.
Learn more about the Crisis Intervention Unit at www.ciucares.com
