This agency provides shelter and support services for battered women and their minor children, with crisis intervention and advocacy services for sexual assault victims and their families, and preventive personal safety education for junior and senior high youth. Services for battered women and their minor children include individual and group counseling, medical and legal advocacy, and shelter. Sexual assault victims are provided individual and group counseling, medical and legal advocacy, and specialized services for child victims. Prevention programs on domestic violence or sexual assault are offered at area schools 24 hour crisis lines are answered in both English and Spanish. A satellite office at the Aurora Community Center offers services to victims of sexual assault by bilingual, bicultural staff.
All services are free and confidential.
Attorneys and paralegals have been hired through funds from the Legal Services Corporation, Washington D.C., and local funding such as INC and several United Ways. INC funds help Prairie State target mentally ill and developmentally disabled clients for special help. Educational services to professionals and citizens alike is the core program. Warning signs, instructions for support and safety, and collaborative efforts with all community agencies will bridge the gap between the time a very early warning sign is noted and a person will receive adequate, successful help for the high risk suicide idea or plan. Home visitors attempt to assist new parents with health-related issues, help reduce familial stress and isolation, link family members to key social and medical services, and advocate for services as needed.