Helping Services lands contract for crime victim services in NE Iowa

Earlier this year, Helping Services for Northeast Iowa officials waited nervously for the State of Iowa to announce details of a reorganization of crime victim services throughout the state.  Helping Services, which had been providing crime victim services in five Northeast Iowa counties, was especially nervous because the State of Iowa created a 14-county service area for Northeast Iowa.

But when it came time for the State to make its decision, state officials split up the 14-county area into two 7-county areas--and awarded the crime victim services contract for Northeastern Iowa to Helping Services.  Instead of going out of business or having to cut back its staffing, Helping Services now finds itself covering Chickasaw and Bremer Counties, as well as Winneshiek, Howard, Allamakee, Clayton and Fayette counties.

"It worked out very nicely," says Helping Services Executive Director David Runyon.  The state's decision will allow Helping Services to retain all existing staffers and possibly even add one more.  The switchover to the new system started July 1st, but won't be completed until October.

Runyon says under the new system, Helping Services staffers will continue to provide services to crime victims, but will also work with other agencies to help them in their dealings with crime victims.  He's looking forward to collaborative arrangements with lawyers, doctors and others.

He's also excited that the State of Iowa will continue to work with existing service providers under the reorganization.  That means Helping Services can continue to work with similar agencies serving nearby areas.

"I think we're doing really well," concludes Runyon.