The purpose of AdHoc's comprehensive, COMBAT-funded Crisis Support for Victims of Crime program is to reduce the impact of trauma associated with violent crime in Jackson County neighborhoods—and the potential for further violence. 

These services correspond to the COMBAT Violence Prevention focus area. We seek 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: 1) Crisis Case Management and 2) Counseling with licensed therapists.

Program clients are individuals and families living in high crime, economically-distressed neighborhoods. They have lost a loved one due to homicide, were victims of gun violence or other types of assault, were witnesses to violence.

In addition, we assist citizens returning to the community from incarceration in meeting their basic needs for food, clothing and housing, thus reducing the potential for violence.

24/7 Help Line 816-861-5500

Most Crisis Case Management support is initiated through self-referral calls to our 24/7 community and youth Help Lines, through walk-ins to our office, and through referrals from community agencies. In addition, we conduct outreach for our Crisis Case Management and Counseling services through weekly PSAs on KPRS-KPRT radio that reaches our target population; and through distribution of agency brochures to local funeral homes or at community meetings attended by AdHoc staff members. We also post information about services on our website, Facebook page, and on our Twitter and Instagram feeds; and we inform community members about our Counseling services at prayer vigils for murder victims and on news broadcasts following a homicide.

Trauma Response

As part of our trauma response, an AdHoc staff member and team of around five trained volunteers canvass the neighborhood where the shooting-other injury took place. They go door-to-door, asking residents to contact the police if they have any information regarding the crime and informing them about AdHoc resources, such as counseling to deal with the trauma of the incident. This Trauma Response Team of staff and volunteers canvass in approximately 30 affected neighborhoods

Trauma-Informed Care

Following the initial call from a victim, family member or witness, or referral from an agency, a staff member trained in Trauma-Informed Care follows up via phone, then meets with these clients at their homes, conducts a trauma assessment and identifies crisis-related needs. Ongoing support is provided over the phone and in person by the staff member.

The duration of Case Management depends on individual and family needs. In general, at least 4-6 contacts are made with the victim, family of the victim or witness over a period of several weeks, up to a year, or until the initial crisis is past and they are making progress toward stability.

During the crisis period, Case Management typically involves making calls to detectives or court staff to obtain case updates, accompanying victims, families and witnesses to court hearings and calling community agencies to make referrals for specific services. We also facilitate access to our free, unlimited, in-home counseling by the licensed AdHoc Lead Therapist to deal with the grief and trauma of the violent event and with anger, substance abuse or other adverse mental health symptoms related to the event. We use additional licensed, contracted therapists when there is high demand.

Clients may face a variety of additional challenges, such as loss of employment while trying to recover from the trauma, loss of housing when the victim provided a major source of income for the family, covering funeral expenses, needing to relocate when the household is in danger, or helping a child with behavior issues in school following the trauma.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.