Ada County Victim Services Center outlines services, urges Eagle residents to use free support

Trina Allen, executive director of the Ada County Victim Services Center, told the Eagle City Council on Jan. 28 that the center provides free medical, counseling and advocacy services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, elder abuse and stalking.

The center, located at 417 S. Sixth St. in Boise and renamed from Faces last year, houses a Child Advocacy Center operated with St. Luke’s, forensic pediatricians, SANE forensic nurses, an adult protective services office, victim advocates attached to the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office and the Boise Police Special Victims Unit. Allen said St. Luke’s staff operate a clinic there and by mobile unit that serves surrounding counties.

“The Child Advocacy Center sees children and vulnerable adults who have any allegations of child abuse, neglect, witnesses to violence, physical abuse,” Allen said. “They also split their clinic between ours and the Nampa Family Justice Center two days a week. Their medical providers are available 24/7, and they see about approximately 1,200 kids a year.”

Allen said medical services at the center are provided at no cost to victims and are billed through crime victim compensation and hospital partners. She described on-site coordination intended to reduce repeated interviews of victims and to speed access to medical care, counseling and legal help. Allen said the center hosts legal clinics, crisis counseling, trauma-informed art therapy and partners with Idaho Legal Aid, Family Court Services, the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office and nearby family justice centers.

Mayor Brad Pike and council members thanked Allen and asked how Eagle residents can access services. Allen said approximately 250–300 people a month come through the building for services; others access help by phone or referral from health providers or law enforcement. She gave brochures, business cards and a QR-code sticker — now being distributed on some Ada County ambulances and patrol cars — that links to the center’s website.

“Garden City really championed this sticker,” Allen said. She described an instance in which a responding patrol officer scanned the code and connected a victim with services immediately.

The council did not take action but discussed sharing the center’s materials with Eagle’s police and dispatch and arranging tours. Council members said they would help circulate the center’s resources to local first responders and public information channels.

Allen’s presentation and council remarks occurred during the council’s presentations segment of the meeting.