Victims Assistance Program provides updates to policies, procedures amid COVID-19
Victims Assistance Program
FORT HALL — Because of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic the Tribes' Victims Assistance Program (VAP) had to make adjustments in their program policies and procedures to ensure the safety of their staff and the people they work with while still providing emergency, direct and supportive services to the community members of the Fort Hall Reservation.
VAP has been deemed an essential tribal service and will continue to provide 24 hour emergency services seven days a week to victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, teen dating, sex trafficking and stalking through the VAP Crisis-Line (208-339-0438), through telephone calls to VAP Advocates at their office desks during regular business hours and through referrals from the Fort Hall Police Department, Counseling Family Services and Indian Health Service.
In order to meet new mandated safety protocols, VAP has made changes to their delivery of service for their emergency, direct and support services. The most noticeable safety measure being implemented will be the closure of the VAP office doors to walk-in traffic. VAP, as have other Tribal Health offices, will do their work with clients telephonically rather than meeting them face to face. In order to facilitate this effort a large sign with VAP Advocate desk telephone numbers will be posted on the VAP front door. All of the VAP Advocates and their individual services will be available during business hours by calling the desk telephone number of the advocate you wish to speak to.
Victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, etc. will still be able to utilize the "VAP Crisis-Line" 24 hours a day/seven days a week. However, due to safety protocols the on-call advocate will contact the domestic abuse victim by telephone and begin the emergency service procedure. In an emergency situation VAP may provide emergency sheltering, clothing and food assistance while being sheltered. Please note: due to the Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) grant restrictions, VAP can only shelter recent victims (women and men) of domestic abuse for a limited amount of time.
Another noticeable change in VAP procedure will be the placement of VAP forms such as: Affidavits, Intake, Release of Information, Request for Services and other pertinent forms outside and in front of the VAP building located on the corner of Pima Avenue and Navajo Drive, building #115. Additionally, a secure "drop box" will placed alongside the VAP forms. Once a VAP form is completed it can be placed in the secure drop box and then retrieved by an Advocate.
The VAP staff understands the frustration that some experience in regards to these new safety protocols however, these safety measures are being implemented for the safety of VAP clients and VAP Staff. Please call the VAP office at 208-478-3992 if you any questions regarding the Victims Assistance Program.
