Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault (Northwest CASA) is the only full service agency that provides free services to sexual assault survivors and their loved ones within the North and Northwest suburbs of Cook County. Our agency has been responding to the needs of survivors of sexual violence and significant others for more than 30 years.
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Services Offered
Advocacy
*Medical advocacy is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at hospital emergency rooms. Whenever a survivor presents at the hospital for treatment, the hospital calls our hotline and we send an advocate out to sit with the survivor. The advocate offers emotional support, provides information on sexual violence, and gives any necessary referrals. *Legal advocacy is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week wherever needed. Advocates can support a survivor at the police department, or help a survivor with a case that is currently being prosecuted. Our staff advocate is very knowledgeable about court proceedings and Illinois law.
Crisis Intervention
*We offer a 24 hour crisis hotline (888)802-8890 that survivors or significant others can call at anytime. Trained volunteers and staff answer the hotline calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. *We also offer in person crisis intervention wherever appropriate, such as at our office, at the local schools, and at local residential programs.
Counseling Services
*Counseling services are available to survivors and significant others of all ages and genders regardless of when the assault or abuse occurred. *Counseling services are client centered, and are intended to provide emotional support and help clients regain a sense of control over their lives and heal from the pain of sexual violence. *Counseling services are specialized and include individual, couple, family, group, and art therapy. *Play therapy is available for our younger clients. *Qualified specially trained counselors work with each client on an individual basis to fit their needs. *Clients set their own goals and pace for their counseling services. *Counselors can also assist clients in accessing other supportive services in order to meet additional needs. Prevention and Community Education Programs
*Age appropriate educational programs are available to students from preschool through college to help raise awareness of sexual violence. Programs intend to empower the youth of today. *Prevention programs are available to community members interested in learning more about sexual violence. Programs are tailored to meet audience needs. *Professional trainings are available to various service providers and professionals to increase knowledge of sexual violence and raise awareness of community resources. *Programs include a wide array of topics such as personal body safety, sexual harassment, sexual assault, date rape drugs, and teen dating violence.
Fees and Payment
Northwest CASA is able to provide services free of charge because of the generous support from state and local governments, United Way, private grants and the generous donations of supporters.
Northwest CASA is a registered 501 C 3 organization in Illinois.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Pro-bono
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A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.