Responding to Community Needs for Medical Forensic Care - Indiana SANE Training Project, USI

The Indiana SANE Training Project started in response to the critical need for SANEs in Indiana, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and it has maintained that focus while expanding trainings and technical support across the state. Although the University of Southern Indiana (USI) had no bench strength in sexual assault or forensic nursing in 2018, the director of the Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the dean of USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions recognized the opportunity to collaborate with organizations and agencies to effectively respond to a federal funding notice to train sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) across Indiana. After receiving funding, the Project hired Angie Morris as the project coordinator, and her background in criminal justice, state government, and nursing, as well as her credentials as a board-certified SANE provide the perfect combination of skills. The Project focuses on supporting facilities and nurses in rural and underserved communities to start, strengthen or expand SANE programs. Our collaborative approach incorporates the Indiana Department of Health, experienced SANEs across Indiana, state police crime labs, county prosecutors, rape crisis centers, child advocacy centers, and other agencies to provide expertise, advice, presentations and resources to support the training of forensic nurses.