OVC FY24 Expanding Access to SANE Services Technical Assistance Project

OVC FY 2024 IAFN Expanding Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Services TA Project

Medical-forensic examinations are a critical part of any multidisciplinary response to sexual violence. Studies have shown that exams performed by SANEs may result in better health outcomes and in turn lead to higher prosecution rates. However, most communities do not have SANEs available and there are limited resources available to support communities striving to develop SANE programs. IAFN proposes to provide comprehensive training and technical assistance (T/TA) to OVC’s Purpose Area 1 grantees to ensure they have the information, guidance and support they need to develop, expand and sustain their SANE programs. IAFN and its partners will offer a full range of culturally-specific assistance, working closely with all grantees to ensure their programs develop, foster, and maintain patient-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based SANE programs. As the author of the Forensic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice and the SANE Education Guidelines, IAFN, and its Board-certified forensic nursing staff are uniquely poised to offer this T/TA.

The goal for this project is to utilize the expertise and experience of IAFN, its project partners and OVC to provide comprehensive, victim-centered, trauma-informed T/TA to the selected grantees as they establish, improve and/or expand their medical and multidisciplinary response to sexual assault victims throughout the US and its territories. The primary activities, products and deliverables include: Identification of site-specific SANE program and SART/CCR needs through a comprehensive in-person and online needs assessment with development of associated SANE and SART T/TA plans; access to SANE and SART webinars and ECHO case reviews; Provide access to IAFNs online adult or pediatric SANE training for up to 50 clinicians; Provide review of any grantee SANE didactic training program to ensure it adheres to the IAFN SANE Education Guidelines;; Develop interactive educational applications for management of the patient who has experienced sexual assault using Augmented Reality, Web, Mobile, Stereoscopic 3D and Holographic platforms through collaboration with Davis Global Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; Provide access to IAFNs online SANE didactic and intimate partner violence nurse examiner (IPVNE) training programs; Conduct virtual program sustainability assessments for each program; Create closed online communities where cross-communication, learning and networking can occur between programs, partners and the IAFN team; and house new resources on the existing IAFN safeta.org website and IAFN’s learning management system as appropriate.