Victim Assistance

The Diocese of Tucson is committed to assisting victims of abuse by ensuring that psychological and spiritual assistance is available. Similar assistance is provided to the accused, according to the needs and wishes of the individual. 

Those who lodge complaints alleging sexual misconduct will be received with respect and compassion. It is also the policy of the diocese to offer counseling to such complainants even before law enforcement investigations and Board deliberations are completed, so long as this offer does not conflict with ongoing criminal investigation or civil suit proceedings. 

Parishes, schools or other diocesan entities at which the accused ministered or of which the complainant was a member, will be offered assistance, both to work through painful emotions and to avoid the divisive process of taking sides or shunning either the accused or the complainant. 

We trust that justice will be done in the criminal, civil and Church processes. Those who have offended cannot be shielded from the consequences of their actions, but the hope of the Church is that all parties will be treated with compassion.
 

Policy Statement

VAP is a program within the Catholic Community Services – Tucson Counseling Program.  All policies and procedures linked to the counseling program and the Outpatient Treatment license will be abided by within VAP. 

VAP emerged to fill a need in the community. Its purpose is consistent with the valued action of providing services where a gap exists i.e., facilitating the healing of the victims of sexual abuse by church personnel.

The goal is to provide psychological counseling in a manner that protects the privacy of the victim and their family yet allows for reasonable assurance that the treatment provided is professional and evidence-based, reasonable, and effective. The current process involving Catholic Community Services is designed to realize this goal. 
 

Purpose

The Victim Assistance Program (VAP) seeks to provide a compassionate and professional response to people whom church personnel have sexually abused and who are experiencing difficulties as a result of the sexual abuse.
 

Program Goals

The goal of the VAP is to facilitate healing for the victims through referring victims and others to experienced therapists and reviewing and approving claims for therapeutic services rendered to victims. 

Methodology

Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, Inc., through Catholic Community Services - Tucson (CCS-Tucson), will operate the VAP.  

CCS-Tucson will employ licensed mental health professionals in good standing with the appropriate licensing board or therapists working towards licensure to ensure evidence-based program maintenance, respond to individuals, and to monitor the progress of those referred for treatment. The VAP staff will include the VAP Administrator as well as direct counseling staff.  
The VAP Administrator will accept referrals from the diocese. Victims may contact the Diocese by first contacting the parish in which the abuse occurred. 

The Diocese will then investigate the allegations and determine if VAP services are appropriate. The Diocese then contacts the VAP Administrator with Victim referral information. Calls and emails with the Diocese will be returned within one business day. 

The VAP Administrator will contact the Victim and determine where they live and dates/times of availability. Preference is to refer client to CCS Therapy Team for VAP services. However, sometimes a private therapist is more appropriate. 

If the client lives outside of Tucson, VAP Administrator will ask if the VAP client has recommendations for a therapist, if they are currently seeing an independently licensed therapist in good standing with the appropriate licensing board, or if they know of few counseling places that are convenient to their work or home. 

The VAP Administrator will follow up on client recommendations. If client has no recommendations, then the VAP Administrator will find a contract therapist for the client that is close to their preferred location.  
 

Types of Services Offered Through the VAP

• Intake assessment 
• Referrals 
• Review of treatment goals and plans 
• Counseling 
• Reassessment 
• Ancillary Services  
• Mileage Reimbursement 
   

Hours and Sites of Operation

VAP is located in the Counseling Department at CCS - Tucson, 140 W. Speedway Blvd, Suite 130, Tucson AZ, which is open between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.  
 

Admission Criteria

• Individuals who contact the parish with allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic church or school personnel 
• Individuals who are referred by the diocese with allegations of sexual abuse by church personnel 
• Parents or Guardians of minor children who contact the parish with allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic church or school personnel and have authorized treatment for the minor child to address sexual abuse effected by personnel at a Catholic church or school 

Populations Served

• Individuals of all ages 
• All persons regardless of race, religion, creed, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender, physical capacity, or ethnic background 
• Families or others affected by the abuse 

Referral Source

An individual enters the VAP by a referral from the Diocese to the VAP Administrator 

Response to Calls

When the VAP Administrator receives a referral for VAP services from the Diocese of Tucson, the client will be referred to CCS counseling services. 

If CCS is a geographically inappropriate option for the client, then the client will be referred to an appropriate counselor in their area. In this case, the process of acquiring approval for a contracted therapist will be explained to the client, as well as the need for the client and the therapist to follow through on the contract and contact within 30 days of the referral. 
 

Program Fees

No fee is charged to the victim who is referred for VAP services. No fee is charged to the families of those impacted by the abuse to the victim. When appropriate, ancillary referrals for additional services may be made.  
 

Discharge Criteria

If an individual wants to report an incident of abuse to CCS staff, but does not want counseling, then the counseling will support the individual in their report of the abuse to the proper authorities and the counselor will refer the individual to the Diocese of Tucson Office of Child, Adolescent, and Adult Protection and inform the individual that their case will be closed with CCS and no further action will be taken unless the individual makes contact with the Diocese of Tucson Office of Child, Adolescent, and Adult Protection to coordinate a referral to the VAP for services.
 
Should the referred individual fail to contact the contracted therapist through the VAP within 30 days, the case will be closed.
 

VAP Staff

The staff for the VAP consists of the Executive Director of CCS - Tucson; the VAP Administrator for CCS - Tucson, who oversees the Administration of the VAP and serves as Care Reviewer; and Counseling staff who make themselves available to anyone seeking counseling at CCS - Tucson.  
 

Staff Responsibilities

The Executive Director and the VAP Administrator are responsible for approving the policies of the VAP, developing a program budget, and for approving the recommendations of the VAP Administrator regarding program procedures. The VAP Administrator will participate in meetings with VAP staff and the Office of Child, Adolescent, and Adult Protection, as needed.  

The Director of Counseling Services is responsible for the selection, training, and supervision of counseling staff; they will offer staff clinical supervision.  

The Executive Director and VAP Administrator are responsible for creating policy recommendations and establishing program procedures. The VAP Administrator will participate in meetings with VAP staff and Diocese staff, as needed.  

The VAP Administrator is also responsible for the following: 

• Initiating and maintaining a record of the victim’s involvement with the VAP 
• Informing the victim about the process of obtaining counseling (Attachment A) 
• Facilitating the victim in obtaining counseling 
• Sending information to the contracted therapists about VAP procedures 
• Maintaining a current referral list of therapists familiar with the VAP 
• Updating VAP procedures as needed 
• Overseeing billing procedures 
• Measuring program outcomes 
• Reviewing documents from the therapists of referred clients 
• Requesting additional documentation as needed 
• Approving treatment plans 
• Monitoring progress of clients toward goals of the treatment plans 
• Authorizing ongoing therapy sessions 
• Evaluation of the need for further treatment 
• Responding to VAP inquiries 
• Tracking and ensuring billing and payment occur via communication with the Executive Director, Billing Office, and Accounts Payable. 

Contact

Victim Assistance Program (VAP) – Tucson

1-800-234-0344

140 W. Speedway, Suite 130
Tucson, AZ 85705

[email protected]


Victim Assistance Program (VAP) - Yuma

(928) 341-9400
(928) 726-4400

690 E. 32nd St
Yuma, AZ 85365

[email protected]