The following update is from Debbie Kasyon, VAWA Administrator, Colorado. This information was not created by CCASA, but we are releasing it for your review. Please contact CCASA staff or Debbie Kasyon with questions:

In the 2008 legislative session, the General Assembly passed House Bill 08-1217, which enables victims of sexual assaults to receive a forensic medical exam without having to participate in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law enforcement.  In addition, victims do not have to pay the cost of the forensic medical exam.

There are three attachments:

1.  A letter to victim service providers/agencies briefly describing the new law
2.  A handout entitled Information About Forensic Medical Exams for Victims Who Do Not Want to Cooperate with Law Enforcement for Victim Services Agencies.  This document goes into a bit more detail about the changes and provides guidance on what to do if you receive questions from sexual assault victims.
3.  A handout entitled Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Forensic Medical Exams and Payments for Victims of Sexual Assault Who Do Not Want to Coooperate with Law Enforcement.  This document addresses the questions we have received to date.  It will be updated frequently!

The goal in creating these documents is to spread the word about the changes to our law and to ensure that advocates and victims are informed.  Many of you have already provided us with lots of feedback and we appreciate your help while we have been creating these documents.  Feel free to share them!  We should have them posted on our website soon.

If you have questions while reviewing these documents, please contact me at 303.239.5703 or toll-free at 1-888-282-1080.  Thank you again!

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Contact: Sally Laskey, slaskey@nsvrc.org, 717.909.0710 x104
POSTED: 7/2/2008
FUNDING SOURCE: DHHS
ELIGIBILITY: Rural nonprofits and health care providers
$ AVAILABLE: $1,700,000
GRANTS AVAILABLE: 20
MAX GRANT SIZE: N.A.
DEADLINE: 9/15/08
CONTACT INFORMATION: https://grants.hrsa.gov/webExternal/FundingOppDetails.asp?FundingCycleId=6C638A6F-AD5B-495F-B12A-9DE799C3F8F2&ViewMode=EU&GoBack=&PrintMode=&OnlineAvailabilityFlag=&pageNumber=&version=&NC=&Popup=
DESCRIPTION: Support for entities that need assistance to plan, organize and develop a health care network because they do not have a significant history of collaboration and are not sufficiently evolved to apply for a three year Rural Health Network Development Grant.

Stay tuned for updates!

Members, if you have job openings, let us know so we may post them for you.

The CCASA Legislative Committee will meet at the CCASA office once a month or as needed. We are looking for new legislative committee members. Please let us know if you are interested or if you have a recommendation.

Visit the Programs and Projects section of the website and click on Public Policy to get more information about the Colorado Revised Statutes, how to contact your Representative and other links to legislative resources.