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I I I San Marcos Police Department Crime Victim Services Unit OAG Grant # 04G04240 Project Narrative The San Marcos Police Department has formed the Crime Victim Services Unit and hired Eugenia Rinaldi as the Crime Victim Services Coordinator on September 13,2004. Mrs. Rinaldi has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Funds from the Office of the Attorney General were expended in August 2004 for the purchase of a computer and other equipment needed for the Crime Victim Services Unit. The budget year of 2004/2005 ($20,000) will be completely dedicated to the salary of the Coordinator and supplemented by funds from the City of San Marcos and another grant program. The San Marcos Police Department Crime Victim Services Unit has begun direct contact with victims of violent crime. The unit will target the following groups/types of victims: Family Violence, Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, DUI/DWI, Elder Abuse, Survivor of Homicide and all other Victims of Violent Crime. The direct services provided will include the following: transportation, crisis intervention, follow-up contact, information and referral, accompaniment to hospital, law enforcement and/or court, criminal justice support/advocacy, assistance in filing for Crime Victim Compensation, assistance with victim impact statements, personal advocacy and community outreach/education. Since the development of this unit is just beginning, there is much to do with the start of the program. Eugenia has attended and is scheduled to attend training specific to providing assistance and trauma counseling to victims of violent crime. She will provide services to victims of violent crime that are referred to her by the San Marcos patrol division, the criminal investigation division, community services division or narcotics division. She must learn about the criminal justice system to be able to assist crime victims and to obtain information they need or request. To facilitate this need, she will meet and participate in a ride along program with the patrol division, meet and spend time with detectives in the criminal investigation division and meet and learn about the criminal prosecution process with the Hays County District Attorneys Office. The coordinator will also begin the development of contacts in a network of social and community service agencies for future referrals. This will include her attending meetings and being introduced to a multitude of agencies, organizations and individuals, including: The Hays / Caldwell Women's Center, Hays/Caldwell Sexual Assault Task Force, Hays County Child Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Team, Hays County Child Fatality Review Team, Hays County District Attorney's Office, Hays County Sheriffs Office, Child Protective Services, Department of Human Services, San Marcos Food Bank, San Marcos Youth Shelter, Texas Department of Public Safety, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Community Action and many others.