KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With schools, businesses and entertainment venues closing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rose Brooks Center is adjusting to continue providing emergency shelter and counseling services to domestic violence survivors.
To comply with new CDC health and safety recommendations to minimize gatherings, Rose Brooks leaders announced Tuesday they are moving as many services as possible to mobile, remote or tech-based care. That includes relying more on telephone calls and video meeting apps for counseling.
"This is nothing new," said Scott Mason, Director of Donor Stewardship and Marketing at Rose Brooks. "We have provided video counseling before; now we are just doing it more often so we can make sure our clients and staff are safe."
Rose Brooks kitchen staff at the shelter is also providing box meals that guests can take to their rooms, reducing the number of people gathering in the dining hall.
Staff also explained that the coronavirus public health crisis poses a new challenge for people who are living in abusive situations.
"Isolation is a common tactic used by abusers to control their partners during these unusual times of self-isolation," Mason added.
He is encouraging family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to remain connected every day.
"You may never know who needs to hear from you and who may need your help," Mason said.
The Rose Brooks Crisis Helpline is available anytime at 816-861-6100. They provide crisis intervention, safety planning, connection to domestic violence resources and assistance in English and Spanish with access to language services through an interpreter.
If you need assistance and you are located outside of the greater Kansas City area, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-(SAFE) 7233.
