These are the agencies that have a COMBAT-funded program with a victim support emphasis or component. The services provided include supporting the surviving family members of homicide victims and counseling services available to gunshot wound survivors.

AdHoc Caring For Crime Survivors

AdHOC GROUP AGAINST CRIME PROGRAM -- The purpose of AdHoc’s comprehensive COMBAT-funded Caring for Crime Survivors program is to reduce the impact of violent crime in Jackson County neighborhoods and the potential for further violence. These services correspond to the COMBAT Violence Prevention focus area. AdHoc seeks to reduce the impact of violence and reduce the potential for retaliation or further harm by focusing on psycho-social healing using two main, existing prevention services: Crisis Case Management and Counseling with licensed therapists. Most Crisis Case Management support is initiated through self-referral calls to AdHoc's 24/7 community and youth Help Lines, through walk-ins to the AdHoc office, and through referrals from community agencies. AdHoc averages 160 calls a month from people requesting some kind of assistance. In addition, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office and Aim4Peace make referrals for victims and witnesses.
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Amethyst Place Prevention Prgrams

AMETHYST PLACE PROGRAM -- Prevention programming is delivered through Amethyst Place's Family Empowerment and Therapeutic Support Programs. The Family Empowerment Program provides prevention services related to child abuse (e.g. Parent Cafes, Strengthening Families, and Conscious Discipline programming), domestic violence (e.g. Healthy Relationships programming), drug use prevention (e.g. recovery coaching and meetings, Caring for Kids prevention), ex­offenders and violence (e.g. court advocacy), parenting and family interventions (e.g. Parent Cafes, Strengthening Families, and Conscious Discipline). The Therapeutic Support Program helps families heal from past trauma, stabilize mental health and improve parenting skills. Amethyst Place serves Jackson County mothers and children overcoming generational poverty, substance use, and trauma. In 2020, this included residential services provided to 50 women and 103 children, as well as 55 program graduates in aftercare services.
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Child Protection Center

CHILD PROTECTION CENTER, INC. PROGRAM -- The mission of the Child Protection Center (CPC) is to respect the child and protect their voice throughout the investigation of child abuse. The CPC accomplishes its mission and program purpose by providing forensic interviews, family advocacy and mental health services to children ages 3-17 living in Jackson County, who are victims of sexual and physical abuse or who have witnessed a homicide or violent crimes and their non-offending caregivers. The CPC’s Program ensures that children who are victims of child abuse or witness to violent crimes are properly identified, that their statements are made through forensic interviews, and that they are ensured access to all necessary mental health treatments and social supports as soon as possible. In 2019, the CPC served 807 victims of child abuse. Of those, 672 were from Jackson County.
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Hope & Healing Support Program

KC MOTHERS IN CHARGE PROGRAM -- The Hope and Healing Support Program of KC Mothers in Charge (KCMIC) helps families of homicide victims cope with the devastating trauma of a violent death; provides a range of support services to help them heal and develop resiliency; and, as part of their healing journey, empowers them to help others and to help build a community safe for all. At homicide scenes, KCMIC provides trauma-informed crisis intervention and peer-to-peer support to family members, explaining police procedures and helping manage grief, hostility, confusion and anger. In the immediate aftermath of a homicide, KCMIC provides home visits; arranges vigils at the family's request; assists with funeral arrangements; provides emergency assistance, including food and safe shelter; provides a crisis line; helps families understand and navigate the criminal justice system; and makes referrals to other community resources as needed. KCMIC may continue for months and even years.
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Hope House's Targeted Domestic Violence Program

HOPE HOUSE, INC. PROGRAM -- Hope House's Targeted Domestic Violence Program addresses the identified need to bridge the current gap in services that has been recognized by the Independence STRIVIN' Committee. Project staff provide on-site advocacy and therapy services for residents of Hawthorne Place Apartments who are currently or have previously experienced domestic violence. As a result of being able to access services on-site, Hope House anticipates survivors will have the resources and support needed to keep themselves and their families safe, cope with the trauma they have experienced and remain in stable and secure housing.
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Independence STRIVIN' Initiative

COMMUNITY SERVICES LEAGUE PROGRAM -- In 2017, CSL began its work in the Hawthorne Place Apartments & Townshomes providing employment coaching, financial coaching and income supports/direct assistance. In a little over three years, the program has grown to include Family Stability Coaching, forming a community group to create a Trauma Informed/Resiliency Community Plan, working with Independence Police (IPD) to create a Crisis Response Plan, and working with IPD and Hope House to begin door-to-door outreach for domestic violence victims. The Independence STRIVIN' area has expanded to include Northwest Indepenence and Sugar Creek. Located in the heart of this community, Blendwell is the CSL Work Life Center.
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Mothers In Charge: Survivors Will Heal

KC MOTHERS IN CHARGE PROGRAM -- In response to the overwhelming numbers of non-fatal shooting victims in Kansas City—which ballooned to 631 in 2020—Survivors Will Heal was developed in 2021 to provide a critical and much needed response for non-fatal shooting victims. While clergy or mental health service providers may assist these victims, KC MIC offers community-based intervention and bridges the gap between law enforcement, victims of shootings and neighborhood residents to prevent future acts of violence. After a victim, aged 17 or older, has experienced a shooting, KC MIC provides trauma-informed crisis intervention and support to victims and their family members, explaining police procedures and helping manage grief, hostility, confusion and anger. Shooting victims receive information about KC MIC services, victims’ rights, Crime Victims’ Compensation, the investigation process, and safety planning. They also have access to the Survivors Will Heal support group.
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Project Rise (University Health/TMC)

UNIVERSITY HEALTH (TRUMAN MEDICAL CENTER) PROGRAM -- The RISE Program is a comprehensive, stepped-care treatment program that seeks to provide nonfatal shooting victims and their families with timely mental health supports in the immediate aftermath of a shooting. The RISE (Responsive Individualized Support and Early Intervention) Program consists of an interdisciplinary team of nurses, social workers, case managers, and behavioral health professionals working to make sure that people affected by gun violence have all the resources they need to recover.
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Reducing Compound Trauma In Hot Spots

CENTERS FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAM -- This project brings trauma-informed conflict resolution processes and training and restorative justice practices to children, youth and adults in four COMBAT-identified hot spots. This project serves approximately 600 people in schools, neighborhoods, families and courts. CCR participants are identified as having caused harm or having been harmed. They live, work or go to school in high crime and high violence areas. They have experienced individual, historical, societal, cultural or secondary trauma. Conflict resolution training and processes are a needed aspect of the full-scale intervention COMBAT is creating, making a direct contribution to violence prevention efforts by successfully promoting the idea that conflicts can be resolved without violence. Since conflict can and sometimes does lead to violence, conflict resolution effectively reduces violence.
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