Resource Basket for Service Providers

These resources will help service providers who are obtaining emotional, financial and legal assistance and supportive services for survivors and family members.

• The Tribal Resource Tool from the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime is a searchable directory of services available for all AI/AN survivors of crime and abuse in Indian Country.
• The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center is a Native-led, nonprofit organization that offers support and connection with local Tribal coalitions. Tribal coalitions offer services to support Tribal programs and provide victims of domestic and sexual violence with direct services. NIWRC can also be reached at 855-649-7299.
• The Indian Health Service’s Find Health Care map can be used to find an Indian Health Service, Tribal or Urban Indian Health Program facility. IHS, a Department of Health and Human Services agency, provides federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
• All states receive federal funding to help support local victim assistance and compensation programs. Victim compensation is available for victims of both federal and state violent crimes and may pay for medical and mental health care costs, lost wages and funeral/burial expenses not covered by insurance or other benefits. Each state runs its own program, and determines the benefits, eligibility and application requirements for that program.
  • The Directory of Crime Victim Services offers searchable information about available victim services throughout the country and is maintained by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime.
  • The National Association of Crime Victims Compensation board provides links to the state crime victim compensation programs, with information about benefits, requirements and procedures.
• Each U.S. Attorney's Office has a Victim/Witness Assistance Program to assist victims of federal crimes. The Victim/Witness Assistance Programs are a part of federal efforts to provide information on rights and services to victims and witnesses of federal crimes, as well as to encourage their participation in the criminal justice system. Find your district’s U.S. Attorney.
• The DOJ’s Victim Notification System is a free computer-based system that provides automated electronic and written notification to victims of federal crimes regarding the status of their cases, such as information on charges, scheduled court proceedings, outcomes of court events and information on the offenders’ custody status and release. Victims can obtain automated status information online or by calling VNS Call Center at 866-365-4968 (866-DOJ-2YOU).
• The National Crime Victim Bar Association maintains a nationwide network of attorneys who are dedicated to helping victims of crime rebuild their lives through the civil justice system. If you are working with a victim of a crime and are interested in receiving a referral for a civil attorney, submit a form to the Attorney Referral Service.
• VictimLaw is a searchable database with access to thousands of victims’ rights statutes (state and federal), Tribal laws, constitutional amendments, court rules and administrative code provisions. VictimLaw is maintained by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime.

There are national organizations that provide resources and services to support delivery of services to AI/AN individuals, families and Tribal and urban Indian communities in many different disciplines, including social work, criminal justice and social sciences. The following organizations provide tools and resources to support victims and family needs.

Assisting Children Within the Community 

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provides technical assistance and resources for AI/AN communities. To build your knowledge on the issues that have an impact on missing and exploited children in your community, visit NCMEC Connect, a virtual gateway to trainings, resources and best practices. To request a training for your community and law enforcement, fill out a request form.
• National Native Children's Trauma Center provides trauma-informed training and technical assistance across all Tribal child-serving systems, including schools, behavioral health providers, child welfare agencies and juvenile justice systems. NNCTC also assists in the cultural adaptation of evidence-based and promising practices and develops products and practices intended for use in Native communities.

Addressing Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence 

• Tribal Community Response When a Woman Is Missing is a resource from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center that explains the steps to take when a Native woman goes missing.
• StrongHearts Native Helpline is a 24/7, safe, confidential and anonymous domestic, dating and sexual violence helpline from the Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition. The helpline can be reached at 844-7NATIVE (762-8483).
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence offers information on the many issues related to domestic violence. Find a list of free, individualized trainings for a range of constituents on the NRCDV Technical Assistance page.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence. The hotline can be reached at 800-799-7233 (SAFE).

Helping Victims of Human Trafficking

• The Federal Human Trafficking T/TA Providers Fiscal Year 2022 lists all federally funded training and technical assistance (T/TA) providers that are focused on human trafficking or have a significant anti-trafficking component.
• The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and support to get help and stay safe. The hotline also has an online referral directory of anti-trafficking organizations and programs that offer emergency, transitional and long-term services to victims and survivors of human trafficking.
• The Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center is a Department of Justice coaching and development hub that offers free services to organizations and Tribes to start, sustain and grow their anti-trafficking work. Contact the center to request assistance or ask about training, resources, community partnerships and victim services; email contact@ovc-htcbc.org or call 844-682-0411.
• The National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center, from the Office on Trafficking in Persons in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), delivers training and technical assistance to inform and enhance the public health response to human trafficking. NHTTAC supports professionals, organizations, communities and local, Tribal and state-level government systems.
  • HHS's SOAR for Indigenous Communities is a training module that equips practitioners serving indigenous populations to better understand the issues surrounding human trafficking in this context and its impact on Indigenous communities. 

Delivering Resources to Address Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a Department of Health and Human Services agency, provides resources and services to help American Indians and Alaska Natives access prevention, treatment and recovery support services.
• The SAMHSA Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center and the National American Indian and Alaska Native Technology Transfer Centers for addiction, prevention and mental health provide training and technical assistance specific to working with Tribes and Tribal citizens in the behavioral health arena. These resources equip service providers to incorporate new skills to improve treatment and recovery outcomes through skills training; academic, online and distance education; conferences; workshops; and publications.

Accessing Comprehensive Services to Support Victims of Crime 

• The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime’s Training and Technical Assistance Center offers free education and tools to support the efforts of Tribal victim advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and others to develop victim-centered responses to crime victims in Tribal communities.
• National Center for Victims of Crime is an advocacy organization working on behalf of victims and their families. The center offers training on providing trauma-informed and culturally relevant services, including services for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and for working with Tribal communities.
• The Center for Native Child and Family Resilience provides resources related to the development, implementation and sustainability of culturally based and resilience-enhancing programs. Resources range from a review of the literature to program implementation and sustainability toolkits for programs in Native communities.

Service Provider Mental Health and Wellness

• The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit from the Office for Victims of Crime provides tools and resources for professionals exposed to the traumatic experiences of other people — known as vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma is an inevitable occupational challenge for the fields of victim services, emergency medical services, fire services, law enforcement and other allied professionals.