Owensboro Health SANE Project

Owensboro Health seeks funding to 1) improve medical services for survivors of sexual assault within Owensboro Health’s service area by obtaining Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)-ready designations for Owensboro Health Regional Hospital (OHRH), Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital (OHMCH) and Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center (OHTLMC); 2) improve advocacy, continuum-of-care services and prosecution rates for survivors of sexual assault within Owensboro Health’s service area by strengthening partnerships with advocacy groups and minority community groups; and 3) increase the number and availability of SANEs throughout western-Kentucky medical facilities by establishing an approved SANE-program within the Commonwealth West Healthcare Workforce Innovation Center to train SANEs.

Funding will enable Owensboro Health hospitals to be SANE-ready within two years while establishing the only SANE training program in western-Kentucky.  Program objectives are:

Goal 1 objectives:

Provide high-quality, comprehensive medical forensic exams and post-sexual assault care that promotes healing and reduces trauma for survivors within Owensboro Health’s service area.
Increase the number of SANEs to provide long-term, comprehensive SANE coverage to enable and maintain SANE-ready designations at OHRH, OHMCH and OHTLMC.
Participate in technical assistance and collaboration activities with other grant awardees to bolster project success, share resources and solutions and develop best practices in relation to SANE services.

Goal 2 objectives:

Collaborate with sexual assault advocacy groups to improve the delivery of services and resources for survivors within Owensboro Health’s service area.
Collaborate with faith-based groups within minority communities to improve the level of trust to empower survivors to report sexual assault.
Improve sexual assault survivor safety while in Owensboro Health facilities.
Develop public awareness and outreach efforts regarding SANE availability and sexual assault survivor resources in Owensboro Health’s service area. 

Goal 3 objectives:

Improve access to training and education that supports ongoing training, networking, mentoring and retention of SANEs within Owensboro Health’s service area.
Improve access to training and education that supports ongoing training, networking, mentoring and retention of SANEs within western-Kentucky facilities.
Increase the number of SANEs to provide long-term, comprehensive SANE coverage for other western-Kentucky facilities to improve access for sexual assault survivors.
Participate in technical assistance and collaboration activities to bolster project success, share resources and solutions and develop best practices in relation to SANE services.

Grant funding is requested in the amount of $500,000 with Owensboro Health providing $185,454 in matching funds.  Total project cost is $685,454.