Alamo Area Rape Crisis Center

“If the form 990 is to be filed after a regulary scheduled board meeting, the form 990 is presented to the board before it is filed. If the form 990 must be filed prior to a regulary scheduled board meeting, the form 990 is provided to the executive committee for review and approval. The form 990 is then presented to the entire board at its next regular board meeting for ratification.”

“On an annual basis, the board reviews the policy, self-monitors its members, and complies with signing the conflict of interest policy.”

“On an annual basis, werling & associates, an independent for-profit organization in bexar county, undertakes a salary survey of nonprofit organizations. The rape crisis center participates and provides its own wage and benefit information to be included in the survey data. There is a published book of like positions, brief job descriptions and step increases. The management team reviews the document prior to submitting the proposed budget to the board for approval. The team determines if a salary increase may be given based on funding available. If available, the salary and benefit survey is used to determine like-wages/benefits in our community. At the time of review for the board, this material is also given to the board for review.”

“On an annual basis, werling & associates, an independent for-profit organization in bexar county, undertakes a salary survey of nonprofit organizations. The rape crisis center participates and provides its own wage and benefit information to be included in the survey data. There is a published book of like positions, brief job descriptions and step increases. The management team reviews the document prior to submitting the proposed budget to the board for approval. The team determines if a salary increase may be given based on funding available. If available, the salary and benefit survey is used to determine like-wages/benefits in our community. At the time of review for the board, this material is also given to the board for review.”

“The organization makes its forms 1023 & 990 available to the public through guidestar's website, and upon request. In addition, governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available upon request.”

“(1) survivors of sexual violence receive proper and expeditious medical care, sensitive police responce, and encourage the pursuit and rigourous prosecution of perpetrators; (2) strengthening community attitudes about rape and rape victims, and to ensure society blames perpetrators, not victims; and (3) reducing significantly the incidence and tolerance of sexual violence in our community.”

“Therapy) for victims and their loved ones; case management services; emergency services (transportation, translation services and clothing for victims following a rape exam); community education in the area of risk reduction and primary prevention; and hospital and court advocacy and accompaniment for victims. Client services: the counseling program offered counseling services to 1,208 (prior year 1,162) during the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Of the 1,208 clients seen, 897 (prior year 880) qualified for an assessment; i.e., they attended the required number of sessions needed to determine if significant change had occurred. Of those, 782 (prior year 765) demonstrated an improved score. As a result, 87% (prior year 87%) demonstrated a positive outcome. 5,612 (prior year 9,747) individuals contacted the telephone hotline; all 5,612, were assessed for an outcome. Crisis intervention services also include medical accompaniment. Crisis intervention specialists are dispatched to two participating hospitals to provide accompaniment services to sexual assault survivors who are receiving sexual assault forensic exams. During the 2015-2016 fiscal year, the center provided hospital accompaniment services to 852 (prior year 853) clients, of which 48% (prior year 48%) agreed to be contacted for a follow-up call and assessment. Of those contacted, 100% (prior year 100%) demonstrated a positive outcome. Education services: the program includes educational presentations focused on changing attitudes & awareness, changes in skills for women and men individually and collectively for middle and high school students and adult influencers. These sessions are designed to provide skills to build positive healthy relationships. This comprehensive research-based approach will be implemented in schools and community-based programs, in particular, those focusing on 'at risk' youth. During the prior fiscal year the center educated 5,643 youth and professionals. Additionally, the center's community relations department provides general education sessions designed to inform the community about available services. In 2015-2016, 3,191 individuals participated in these types of education sessions. Trend analysis: the center offered counseling services to more than 1,100 clients for the 6th consecutive year. Clients continue to be accompanied by friends, family, loved ones, or partners who, often, following the assault/abuse of their loved one, also experience secondary trauma. Secondary trauma is the phenomenon that occurs when someone closely associated with the rape victim begins to feel similar symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the rape of their loved one. Therefore, it is crucial to offer services to both victims and their families. The majority of the center's therapists are trained to provide counseling from a systemic approach. As a result, families and friends of clients are encouraged to attend sessions as secondary victims in an effort to focus on the family as a system as part of the recovery process. The center also continued to implement conversations of hope, our outreach initiative that includes conducting both on-site and off-site mission tours. The goal of this initiative is to increase support in the community for the center and its efforts in serving as a resource and community safety net for sexual violence victims and their families. During the last fiscal year, more than 127 individuals participated in tours, thereby increasing the number of community leaders and residents with knowledge of our available services and the importance of having a 'stand- alone' rape crisis center in our area. In most instances, sexual assault services throughout the country are provided by facilities that serve both victims of sexual and domestic violence. While challenges still exist with regard to creating a balance between the center's lack of general administrative infrastructure and the need for additional program servic”