In a significant move to bolster support for sexual assault survivors, Coconino County Attorney's Office has announced the transition of the Northern Arizona Care And Services after Assault (NACASA) program to a shared leadership model, according to official news from the county. Since 2002, NACASA has been providing crucial medical forensic exams for survivors; this service will now be jointly led by Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) and Victim Witness Services (VWS), starting from December 15th.
Previously, North Country Healthcare had hosted NACASA since 2008, ensuring the program's growth as an essential regional resource where survivors could access trauma-informed healthcare close to where they live, but a recent shift aimed to find a new organizational structure that can better handle the growing needs and complexities of care required by victims. Under the new arrangement, NAH is set to offer the physical space necessary for medical forensic examinations, while VWS maintains operation of the 24/7 crisis line handles exam scheduling and offers wraparound advocacy services; VWS Executive Director Jennifer Runge expressed profound gratitude to North Country Healthcare, which she said during an interview, "Their commitment to survivors has created a strong foundation that ensures this program continues to thrive".
The partnership is poised to enhance the accessibility of prompt and empathetic care for survivors in Northern Arizona as VWS Executive Director Jennifer Runge noted in a statement obtained by the county's announcement, "without this program, many survivors would be forced to travel two hours or more to Phoenix for care – an unacceptable barrier during moments of crisis." Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker, highlighting the importance of the program, stated, "This partnership ensures no survivor goes without the medical and advocacy services they deserve."
To inaugurate the new partnership, there will be an open house on January 14, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Victim Witness Services office, welcoming the community to learn more about the NACASA program, its team, and its services, NAH President and CEO Dave Cheney said "We understand how critical this service is to those who need it, and how important it is to make sure it remains available here in northern Arizona," stressing the significance of the service in the regional context as this restructuring promises to fortify the community's support network for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The transition of NACASA has been backed by contributions from multiple community organizations and stakeholders, including NAH, North Country HealthCare, the county attorney's office, and several government entities.
For immediate assistance, survivors in need of NACASA's services are encouraged to call the 24/7 crisis phone number at 928-856-7676. Community members looking to offer their support or those in need of resources provided by NACASA are now directed towards both NAH, who will provide the physical space for forensic exams, and VWS, who will manage the crisis line and survivor support.
