Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) to Transition to CODAC Behavioral Health Services

TUCSON, Ariz.  – The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) has transitioned from being operated under Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) to being operated under CODAC Behavioral Health Services. The transition was effective April 1, 2015.

 

SACASA is the largest provider of sexual assault services in the state of Arizona and has been a trusted resource for sexual assault survivors since 1973. Through SACASA, thousands of survivors have been provided with a safe place to gain strength, learn coping skills and develop trusting, caring relationships. SACASA operates 24-hour sexual assault crisis lines in English and Spanish; provides 24-hour intervention, advocacy, information and referral services; assists with reporting sexual assault; provides hospital response and medical forensic exams; and offers individual, group and family counseling as well as peer support to help facilitate the transformation from victim to survivor. SACASA has two locations in Tucson and one in Nogales, Arizona.

 

Services through SACASA will continue without interruption due to funding by state and federal grants, the Pima County Health Department, the TMC Foundation and donations provided by generous individuals and businesses.  Services provided through a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant will continue to be provided by SACASA staff working for AzCA until the grant concludes in September. CODAC will apply to take over administration of that grant starting October 1.

 

AzCA – a child welfare and behavioral health agency – acquired SACASA in 2006 to ensure that Southern Arizona continued to have services dedicated to survivors of sexual violence. Since then, AzCA has maintained SACASA’s core services while also providing critical fundraising support. Nearly two years ago, however, AzCA identified that SACASA would be better served and sustained under the management of an agency that provides adult services so they began the search for the right organization.

 

CODAC Behavioral Health Services is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1970. It provides treatment services to youth, adults and families ages 6 and older who are living with trauma, mental health disorders and addiction. CODAC has extensive experience in providing a continuum of professional, trauma-informed care, including psychiatric medical care, therapy, case management and peer support.  These services can further complement the care survivors are already receiving from SACASA’s victims’ advocates, therapists and forensic nurses.

 

“Every 2.5 minutes someone is the victim of sexual violence. As a community, we simply cannot not have these services available. Too many suffer; too many need our help,” says CODAC President & CEO Dennis Regnier, MA. “CODAC is proud to be able to provide SACASA with the infrastructure it needs to be able to continue its life-saving work for many men and women in southern Arizona. The Boards and leadership of AzCA and CODAC believe this transition will result in growth and sustainability for SACASA so that it may continue its critical role in the community.”


AzCA President & CEO Denise Ensdorff, LCSW adds: "We want to thank all of you who have supported the mission of SACASA over the years and we believe you will not only be pleased with this partnership, but also impressed with the success and improved sustainability of SACASA in future years."