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Case Management

Assisting You In Becoming The Expert

The Advocate Department offers short or long term, trauma-informed Case Management services to survivors of rape/sexual assault, domestic violence, family violence and elder abuse, throughout Erie County. We work with survivors 12 years of age and older to address immediate needs related to their experience of interpersonal violence, and offer support to family members and loved ones as appropriate.

Our Case Managers are certified Rape Crisis Counselors and Domestic Violence Advocates.  Case Managers collaborate with survivors to provide support, resources, and guidance in decision-making, working to ensure that safety is paramount. Our team uses a trauma-informed approach and believes that each survivor is the expert of their own life.

All-Encompassing Support

What can I expect a Case Manager to do? 

  • Provide confidential, non-judgmental support via phone or in person.  Contact can be a few times or maybe more depending on what services a survivor needs and is eligible for. 
  • Collaborate with you to create and regularly update a customized, fluid safety plan to ensure your improved safety even when your circumstances may change.
  • Educate you on your Survivor’s Rights.
  • Explain options regarding filing a police report, pressing charges, orders of protection, securing an attorney, or other legal needs.
  • Connect you with the appropriate community resources which can provide emergency shelter and housing, public assistance, increased food security, counseling, and more all geared toward fostering independence, increased stability, empowerment, and resilience in survivors, 
  • Accompany you to pre-determined appointments, including but not limited to: police statements, attorney meetings, family and criminal court proceedings. 
  • Collaborate with other agencies or health care providers on your behalf, you’re your consent, to ensure you have the best support and services available to you
  • Help you to process feelings and emotions related to your experience.
  • Help complete paperwork to access services such as victim financial compensation through NYS Office of Victim Services (link https://ovs.ny.gov/sites/default/files/brochure/ovs-crime-victim-brochure-2018-web-final-3-18.pdf) or housing applications.

Prepared to Guide the Way

The Advocate Department has Case Managers on-site at Crisis Services, the Town of Tonawanda Police, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, the Buffalo Police Headquarters Special Victims Unit, SUNY University at Buffalo, and SUNY Erie Community College.   

Case Management services are available Monday through Friday. For emergency and after-hour needs, our 24/7 hotline is available at 716-834-3131.

Do you have the skills, experience, and compassion we seek in a volunteer?

There are opportunities to help at Crisis Services.