ACASI is a victim service program that provides specialized services and support to children who have lost a parent to intimate partner violence and their adult caregiver(s).

Children and adult family members who lose a loved one this way often experience a particular kind of traumatic grief. In addition to providing services to assist survivors with emotional healing, ACASI can also help families access economic resources and information necessary to navigate the criminal justice system.

To assist these survivors, ACASI offers the following services:

• Information, referral, and connection to resources
• Expert counseling/therapy
• Group therapy and peer support
• Crisis counseling (in-person or by phone)
• Assistance in filing for Victim Compensation
• Personal advocacy
• Volunteer mentoring

ACASI serves children who have lost a parent to intimate partner homicide and their adult caregivers. A “parent” can be a biological parent, stepparent, guardian, foster parent/placement or other caregivers. Intimate partner homicide means that the child’s parent was a victim of a homicide committed by a current or former intimate partner (husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend).

ACASI currently provides services throughout the state of Arizona.

Anyone who knows of an eligible child or caregiver/guardian may make a referral to ACASI. Those most likely to refer someone to ACASI include victim advocates, law enforcement and other first responders, school counselors or school psychologists, attorneys, and child welfare personnel. Any professional making a referral should follow relevant guidelines concerning confidentiality and consent to release information.

A child’s caregiver/guardian may also call ACASI to request services.

There are three ways to make a referral or connect with ACASI for services:

• Call us: 602-496-1327
• E-mail us: acasi@asu.edu
• Complete the referral form

No. This section of the referral form should be completed by the child’s legal guardian or caregiver whenever possible and appropriate. In order to protect the rights of our clients, the information we receive from a referral source will be treated as confidential and in accordance with all applicable state and federal statutes.

Yes. We know that survivors need and want different types of help at different points in time. ACASI will provide services to children and their caregivers at any point after the homicide/violence has occurred.

An ACASI case management coordinator/advocate will contact the person making the referral to discuss the referral, answer questions, determine what kinds of services and support the child and caregiver would like and agree upon next steps. Generally, we will reach out to the caregiver/guardian and communicate first by phone or arrange to meet in person, depending upon the caregiver’s preference and availability.

If a child or family leaves one of ACASI’s service areas, the assigned case management coordinator/advocate will work with the caregiver/guardian to identify and connect with the desired services in the new community.

No. ACASI provides all of its services in the child or family’s home community. ACASI staff will travel throughout Arizona when necessary.

ACASI’s therapeutic support groups are designed to respond to the specific situations and needs of children who have lost a parent to intimate partner homicide or experienced intimate partner violence, and their adult caregivers, many of whom have also lost a loved one. How do we know about these needs? We’ve listened to survivors who have explained the ways in which other grief groups haven’t felt relevant or helpful to them. Additionally, clients can participate in peer support groups via telehealth.