Adams State University’s Police Department received a grant of $38,188 from the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, according to Samuel Maestas, Adams State Chief of Police. He said the grant will support development of the Adams State PD Victim Response Unit (VRU) and a campus awareness campaign to promote victim advocacy services.

“This is a collaborative effort of the ASU Police Department, students, and community volunteers,” he explained. “This project will provide service 24 hours a day, year-round, as well as on-the-scene crisis intervention to victims of crime in the campus community. It will provide resources, services, and referrals to crime victims and their families.”

Maestas said the VRU is designed to fulfill the Colorado Victims’ Rights Amendment, providing such comprehensive services as:

  • Information about victims’ rights and case status
  • Crisis intervention
  • Help accessing financial compensation, emergency services (medical assistance, transportation)
  • Referrals for counseling, legal advocacy, and court support; ongoing client support

Reyna Martinez will be the project’s Coordinator /Trainer, providing on-scene direct services, follow-up services, court accompaniment, and personal advocacy to crime victims. With three  years’ experience as the San Luis Valley’s Victim Services Director, she will help ensure the project meets Victims of Crime Advocate (VOCA) requirements. A Victim Services Tracking Online Data System will facilitate data collection for project evaluation, progress monitoring, and reporting.

The project activities include:

  • Coordinating with academic departments (sociology, nursing, psychology, business) to identify interns who wish to serve as volunteer victim advocates
  • Coordinating advocates (Coordinator and volunteers) to serve campus victims with direct services and personal advocacy
  • Coordinating services to victims to meet basic emergency needs
  • Training and professional development of volunteer advocates (students and community members)

Martinez noted the internships “will provide students with multiple opportunities for experiential learning, advocacy skills development, and valuable career experience and guidance.”