By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services has launched a mobile advocacy service to reach more people in the rural areas of northwest Kansas.
Many clients do not have transportation to come to the Hays or Colby offices, Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director, said. Others can't come to the offices safely because they are being stalked or tracked by their abuser, she said.
Although the number of survivors seeking services has started to level off, Options saw a 25 percent increase in people seeking service between May and September compared to the same period last year.
Hecker said she attributed this in part to people being forced to quarantine together in close quarters and additional stresses brought on by the pandemic.
"We really felt we needed to do something different to respond," Hecker said, "so we decided to bring the service to the people rather than solely rely on people coming here to get that service. It creates greater access for people in need."
The mobile advocacy program should increase the number of people Options is able to serve, Hecker said.
Advocate Isaac Guilbert is on the road Mondays and Tuesdays.
Options covers 18 counties in northwest Kansas.
He has a route that takes him through Goodland, Sharon Springs, Oberlin, Atwood, St. Francis, Hill City, Stockton, Hoxie, Oakley, Phillipsburg, Osborne, Smith Center, Quinter, Norton and WaKeeney.
Options has partnered with organizations in each of these communities to provide private locations for the the advocate and survivors to meet.
These included churches, hospitals courthouses and city halls.
Survivors can contact Options to set up an appointment with the advocate at one of the locations. Eventually walk-in service will be available at all but the Norton location.
A list of the mobile locations and dates the advocate will be available will soon be posted on the Options's website.
Options is also sponsoring a series of office warming events. The times and dates for these events are being posted on Options's Facebook page.
There was an office warming Monday at the United Methodist Church, 900 12th, Hoxie.
Options will be complying with local COVID requirements. The events will be broadcast on Facebook Live for people who are unable to attend the office warmings.
Options staff hope the office warmings can spread awareness of Options's services.
"It is just a way for the community to get a better idea of where Isaac is meeting people. He can talk to people about our services and the best way to get ahold of him or to get to talk to an advocate if you need to speak to anyone," said Kelsey Hogan, victim's service coordinator.
Hecker said she wanted to spread the word that Options shelter as well as walk-in services are still open. She said some people have assumed the services are closed because of the pandemic.
She said she thinks some survivors may be concerned about moving into a communal living situation in light of COVID. Not only is the shelter open, but Options can also place survivors temporarily in hotels if needed.
"I think now more than ever, it is important to know that we are still available and there are many different ways people can access those services," she said.
In addition to mobile advocacy and walk-in service at the Options's offices, survivors can also talk with an advocate via Options 24/7 helpline at 1-800-794-4624, chat with an advocate through Options chat feature, or text through Options's mobile app, downloadable for free on Google Play or the Apple Store.
Many people think Options only offers shelter, Hecker said. However, the agency also offers rapid rehousing, medical advocacy, law enforcement advocacy, personal advocacy, court advocacy, counseling, support groups, child and youth service, and parent and child advocacy.