The Family Crisis Center in Great Bend is one of five sexual and domestic violence advocacy organizations in Kansas to receive a new form of accreditation. The process required months of self-study followed by a two-day site visit, but has resulted in service that is more supportive and effective for survivors, said Laura Patzner, executive director of the Center.

Joyce Grover, executive director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, announced the achievements of five newly accredited agencies this week. Other agencies that received accreditation are The Crisis Center Inc. in Manhattan, The Willow Domestic Violence Center Inc. in Lawrence, SOS Inc. in Emporia; and the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center.

"The key to providing safety and healing for survivors is our communities’ ability to provide effective services," Grover said. "Accreditation ensures that Kansas’ community-based sexual and domestic violence advocacy organizations are providing a spectrum of free, confidential services in a manner that is consistent, measurable and meaningful for survivors."

"We have had accreditation in the past," Patzer said. However, the new method of accreditation focuses more on service delivery. Eventually, all 29 of the state’s sexual and domestic violence advocacy organizations will complete the comprehensive process. Meanwhile, each organization completes an annual self-assessment.

"We were the first ones," Patzner said. Staff and volunteers at the Family Crisis Center can celebrate what they do well, as they met at least the minimum core service standards, she said. The next goal is to surpass minimum levels and achieve an optimal level of service.

The Family Crisis Center used the information from its studies to set and focus on priorities, which led to adding one person to its staff in the past year. "One thing we struggled with was funding to maintain 24-hour staff (at the shelter)," Patzner explained. Someone is always available, and the Family Crisis Center Hotline operates 24/7, but the shelter did not have someone on-site from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. Now it has secured a grant to meet that need.

Based in Great Bend, the Family Crisis Center serves 10 counties: Barber, Barton, Comanche, Edwards, Kiowa, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush and Stafford. The hotline telephone number is 792-1885, or from toll-free calls outside of Great Bend, 866-792-1885.