COEUR d’ALENE — A multi-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women will bolster local resources, the Kootenai Health Foundation announced Monday.  

The $950,000 grant will assist in community responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violences and stalking within the 10 northern counties of the Idaho Panhandle. Expansion of Kootenai Health’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program will also be possible.  

“Survivors in rural communities often face significant barriers to care. With this renewed support, we’re able to build on our progress and further expand access to vital community services — regardless of the time of day or where someone lives,” said Cara Nielsen, president of the Kootenai Health Foundation.

Last year, the Idaho State Police Forensic Services said the sexual assault training program for nurses had exceeded the goal to train 250 examiners statewide.     

The local partnership between Kootenai Health, Safe Passage and the Northwest Hospital Alliance builds on efforts to improve access to care and justice for survivors.     

Through SANE training, medical providers can provide 24/7 trauma-informed health care and collect evidence that may assist in the pursuit of justice.    

Amanda Krier, executive director of Safe Passage, said the support is for people who have gone through violence, including men, women and children.

“Having that specific training for a sexual assault nurse examiner is really helpful from the trauma-informed aspect for survivors of violence,” Krier said.  

SANE training equips registered nurses with specialized skills to provide compassionate care to survivors of sexual assault. 

If an individual doesn't have a support person after experiencing domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, stalking or strangulation, specialized medical care and other regional resources are there to empower them.   

Funding also supports an expert child abuse medical provider through Kootenai Health, something Krier hopes will create a more sustainable system.

“Now with the funds, we’re able to train more nurses so there’s better sustainability with that program,” Krier said.  

Between 100 to 150 adults experiencing sexual violence use Safe Passage resources each year, and 200 to 250 kids a year come through Safe Passage’s Children’s Advocacy Center each year, not counting family members. 

Krier said the local need for specialty training for sexual violence case has increased this year compared to 2024.

"With the forensic nurse program, we’ve already had about 75 hospital responses, which surpassed our whole last year," Krier said.

Aid from the new grant makes it possible for local agencies to provide more coordinated responses.

If an individual wants to enter the case into the criminal justice system, Safe Passage helps with wraparound services, such reporting to law enforcement, counseling, and providing shelter or support groups. 

Because the criminal justice system is complicated to navigate, Krier said their goal is to be as present throughout the process as survivors of violence need them to be.

“It's a really traumatic time in their lives and we just want to make sure that they’re leading the ship and we’re just helping,” Krier said.  

Jennifer Bailey, a forensic nurse examiner at Kootenai Health, said trauma-informed care available empowers survivors to begin healing while ensuring voices are heard in both medical and legal settings.  

"It's not just about collecting evidence, it's about restoring dignity, safety, and trust in a moment of profound vulnerability,” Bailey said. “It's about giving survivors autonomy, empowerment, choice and hope."

    Neilsen
  

    Bailey