Crime victims who didn’t qualify for mental-health assistance in the past may now be able to pay for therapy costs under an extended VOCA grant at Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota.

The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has awarded a second Victims of Crime Act grant of $40,000 to the statewide nonprofit to help cover therapy fees and associated expenses for victims who seek mental-health support through Abound Counseling at LSSND.

“Having this fund means that people won’t have to choose between getting the therapy they need and putting food on the table. It means that the emotional recovery from a crime can be a priority,” said Terri Sonsthagen Burns, an intake coordinator for the VOCA program at LSSND.

The VOCA grant defines victims as those who have experienced any of the following: physical harm, online or face-to-face bullying or harassment, child abuse, community violence, domestic violence, neglect (child and vulnerable/elderly adults), persecution due to factors such as race and sexual orientation, sexual assault, property damage, and torture or other crimes against humanity.

Victims can be self-referred or referred by a third party, such as a social worker. An Abound Counseling mental-health provider will conduct an initial assessment to determine if therapy is warranted.

If approved for coverage, the VOCA grant will pay for any remaining costs after the client’s primary insurance coverage has been depleted. The grant may also help the uninsured or underinsured.

Once enrolled, rural residents can receive face-to-face counseling at an Abound Counseling office near them or use Abound Counseling telehealth option. The telehealth system allows guests to use a video connection to interact with a counselor via home computer, laptop or mobile phone, regardless of where they live.

Some grant money is also available for related expenses such as Imagine Thriving skills coaches, who work one-on-one with clients to help them strengthen functions impacted by past trauma or mental illness. Funds also are available to pay for interpreter services for non-English-speaking clients.

To learn more, call 271-1618 or email terrib@lssnd.org or Kristinaj@lssnd.org