Help Inc. closes its doors
Help Inc. has closed its Idaho Falls office, effective immediately. Its board of directors cited “financial issues” as the reasons for the closure.
Help Inc. provided a variety of domestic violence programs including El Valor de los Padres, Parents as Teachers, Positive Parenting, Right from the Start and the Happiest Baby on the Block. All of the programs are aimed at the reduction and prevention of child abuse and shaken baby syndrome.
United Way of Idaho Falls Executive Director Cindy Ozaki said United Way and the Help Inc. board are actively looking for options to replace the agency’s role in the community.
“If a child has been abused or suspected of that they could go into Help Inc. and be taken care of,” said Ozaki.
There are other agencies in eastern Idaho like this, but Help Inc. was unique because they provided forensic medical exams on site.
Ozaki said this made children more comfortable after experiencing trauma.
That’s why they plan to set up a similar environment for exams.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Department worked closely with Help, Inc.
Sgt. Jeff Edwards says that last year in Bonneville County there were 77 cases reported of sexual assault related crimes to adults and children.
Edwards said currently they have trained detectives able to interview victims like the employees of Help, Inc. and the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has certified nurses that can do the sexual exams.
“Help, Inc. was a great organization that was a huge asset to law enforcement, and we would love to have them in our community still. The reality is we still have to provide a service, and we will do our very best to make that happen,” said Edwards.
The top priority will be intervention programs for abused children or children at risk of abuse. Ozaki said United Way will be working with law enforcement, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and other area agencies to provide immediate help.
Anyone suspecting a child to be in imminent danger of abuse should call local law enforcement.
For other help or questions contact the 24-hour Crisis Line at (208) 235-2412 or Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center (DVSAC) at 529-4352.
