Enhancing Rural Vermont's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Services Through Collaboration and Innovation
National data indicate that half of women and 1 in 3 men experience contact sexual violence in their lifetimes. Rural sexual assault survivors face unique challenges including isolation, lack of anonymity, and limited community resources, making them less likely to report assaults or seek support services. To address this critical need, the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care (VPQHC) has been awarded the HRSA Rural Northern Border Region Outreach Program Grant. This funding supports a new initiative to strengthen and expand the services provided by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) across the state, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
What is the SANE Care Collaborative & Innovation Network?
The SANE Care Collaborative & Innovation Network is a comprehensive, multi-year initiative that brings together key partners to support and empower nurses who provide specialized, compassionate care to survivors of sexual assault. Working with five rural hospitals, this network has three main goals:
strengthen Capacity
Provide training, resources, and networking opportunities to grow and strengthen SANE programs, especially in rural Vermont.
2. improve Quality
Work directly with hospitals to improve the quality of care through data-driven quality improvement initiatives.
3. develop sustainability
Develop new ways for SANE providers to share best practices and work together to continuously enhance services for survivors.
Who is involved?
The SANE Care Collaborative & Innovation Network is led by VPQHC, in partnership with:
The Vermont Network has been a leader in supporting forensic nurses for decades.
VAHHS is committed to building a vibrant, healthy Vermont through advocacy, policy development, education, and research.
Bi-State PCA provides training and technical assistance Federally Qualified Health Centers and Look-Alikes to improve programmatic, clinical, and financial performance.
Resources
Coming soon!