Details About VIP Services

Overall Services

• Supportive staffs whom listen and present alternatives and options.
• A safe, confidential place for victims to share their experiences and receive non-judgmental support.
• Support groups for women and children that provide education and support for victims of abuse.
• Emergency housing for battered women.
• Mentors who are formerly battered women or sexual assault victims who serve as support persons and role models for new clients. (BW/SA Programs only)
• Legal advocacy for clients including assistance in completing orders for protection or harassment order, accompaniment to court hearings, law enforcement, or attorney appointments.
• 24-hour toll-free crisis line for all victims.
• Emergency transportation and emergency financial assistance for all victims.
• Transportation and child-care are offered for support groups and for all court hearings.
• Information and referrals to other service agencies and accompaniment to appointments.
• Written material and video education resources.

In-Services

• VIP provides training to a variety of groups, including clergy, teachers, judges, and attorneys, law enforcement, nurses and other medical personnel, school counselors and other victim advocates. The purpose of our professional in-service training is two-fold: to sensitize service providers about the issues of the victims we serve, and to better equip professionals to recognize and provide intervention to victims.

Outreach Education

• VIP also provides community-based education for churches, civic organizations, chemical dependency facilities, fraternal organizations, homemaker groups, social issue groups, and students (elementary, secondary, and post-secondary).

Umbrella Tree Children's Safety

• The Center provides supervised visitation for children whose parents have court-ordered visitation. The center also services as a safe and neutral drop-off site for custody/visitation exchanges.
• A Safe Place for Children and Families
• What is the Umbrella Tree?

  The Umbrella Tree Children's Safety Center, a program if Violence Intervention Project, is designed to meet the needs of children who have witnessed or experienced violence, abuse, or trauma. We serve all children, age birth to eighteen.

• The Safety Center provides supervised visitation and exchange, one-on-one support and advocacy with the children and parents, support groups for parents, and support groups for children. A video is available to learn more about the Safety Center's services.
• Where is it located?

  The Safety Center is located in Thief River Falls and serves families from all counties in NW Minnesota. Families requesting services from North Dakota or from outside of VIP's region may also be eligible for services.

• Do parents see each other at the Safety Center?

  The Safety Center maintains a no contact policy between parents to eliminate stress on the children during visitation. And to create a safe environment when domestic violence has been an issue in the family.

• Is there any charge?

  All services are free of charge.

• Who is eligible?

  Families that have experienced domestic abuse, child abuse, or other violence. Families who have difficulty with visitation or exchange. For example:

  • Parents who are court-ordered to have supervised visitation through an order for protection
  • Parents who have a history of picking up their children under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Parents using children to control their former partner
  • Children and parents who have fear of violence, intimidation, or harassment connected with visitation
  • Families where children are in foster care
  • Parents who are currently undergoing paternity proceedings

Transitional Housing

• A HUD-Financed program that addresses needs of battered women in transition from violent relationships to independent living.

Abused Children's Program

• Provides both short and long term counseling to children who are victims of any forms of abuse; verbal, physical or sexual abuse in Red Lake and Pennington counties.
• Abused Child Advocacy Program
• IN PURSUIT OF HEALTHIER CHILDREN

  The Abused Child Advocacy program is designed to meet the needs of children who have been abused or neglected. We serve children of all ages

• THE ABUSED CHILD PROGRAM OFFERS
  • one-to-one support for children & teenagers
  • one-to-one education and support for partnes
  • educational activities for children & youth about violence, abuse, & prevention
  • children & teen support groups
  • professional inservices, training, school programs , and community education
  • court system support
  • 24 hour crisis support
  • school services
  • information & referral