About Us
CIU: (325) 658-3921
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The Crisis Intervention
Unit first began as an idea developed by Stewart Dickson in 1999. He designed the program and wrote the first grant for the unit. Mr. Dickson hired Rita Guthrie as the first coordinator in
1999.
This 1st responder group is called out by law enforcement officer request. It has on-scene authority for crisis intervention needs. Volunteers respond to the needs of the victims and intercedes on their behalf.
CIU was awarded the "Exemplary Victim Assistance Program Award" by Crime
Victims Clearinghouse in 2007.
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Rita Guthrie, CIU Coordinator
Rita has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from ASU and
19 years in victim services. Prior to that, Rita was at the ICD Family Shelter from March of 1997 until September of 1999 before going to the S.O. She also co-facilitated the New Directions Batterers Intervention & Prevention Program (BIPP)
for about 6 months before becoming the counselor at the shelter. She also worked in vocational rehabilitation counseling. She is the Director/Coordinator of the CIU. Rita developed the CIU program in 1999 and is responsible for the unit. She provides training to
volunteers to provide victim services. She is responsible for grant writing in order to obtain funding for the unit, as well as preparing reports that are required for both of the funding sources for the CIU.
She provides direct victim services through responding to on-scene calls, as
well as providing crisis counseling and other services in the office.
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Sandy Elliott, CIU Assistant Coordinator
Sandy Elliott accumulated 11 years of experience as a volunteer, before being hired as the Assistant Coordinator in June of 2005. She was selected as Volunteer of the Year in 2003.
Sandy now has 8 years in victim services. She has been attending college, while continuing to work a full-time
job and raising three children for the last 6 years. She has a Bachelor's degree. Sandy has a big heart and enormous compassion for those who are at low points in their lives. She has continued her passion for the CIU mission as an employee. She serves as an on-call responder, along with the volunteers. |