At Crisis Services of North Alabama, we respond to individuals and families in crisis by providing emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and vital assistance for survivors of sexual assault. Our 24/7 HELPline (256-716-1000) connects victims to services and provides crisis counseling for those navigating overwhelming emotions or who simply need someone to talk to. HELPline is staffed with trained, trauma-informed crisis counselors offering compassionate support. We also manage the area’s 211 service, helping people connect to vital resources. We provide domestic violence and sexual assault services in Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties and offer sexual assault forensic exams in Cullman and Winston counties.

Our programs and services

HELPline (24/7 crisis phone line).

HELPline is a phone line only. Trained advocates and volunteers answer calls around the clock and provide crisis counseling, active listening, safety assessment, and connection to any Crisis Services program a caller needs. Staff and volunteers are trained to International Council for Helplines standards through a comprehensive course covering active listening, domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health and substance use, loneliness, bias, and ethics.

HOPE Place (emergency domestic violence shelter).

HOPE Place provides safe emergency shelter for adults and children fleeing domestic violence. In addition to safe housing, residents receive advocacy, case management, crisis counseling, support groups, educational groups, transportation for safety planning and stabilization, and children’s activities.

Domestic violence outreach and advocacy.

In Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties, our Victim Services Coordinators help survivors take the next step toward safety through court advocacy, protection from abuse order guidance, safety planning, and ongoing case management. Outreach also includes community education and partnerships that strengthen referrals across the region.

Special Assessment Intervention and Liaison.

In partnership with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, this program identifies survivors of domestic violence who need specialized services and connects them to advocacy, crisis counseling, referrals, and safety-focused support.

Domestic Violence Responder Program.

In partnership with the Huntsville Police Department, Domestic Violence Responders support survivors immediately following police response, including telephone follow-up, ride-alongs, referrals to Crisis Services programs and community resources, and identification of strangulation cases from police reports.

Sexual assault survivor services and the forensic nurse examiner program.

We support survivors of sexual assault with advocacy, accompaniment, referrals, and forensic nurse examiner exams for those who want them. Our forensic nurse examiners provide medically appropriate, evidence-collecting exams in a trauma-informed setting for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation, and physical abuse. Exams include testing for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, and, when applicable, toxicology specimen collection. Forensic nurse examiner services extend beyond our primary service area to include Cullman and Winston counties.

Forensic Nurse Examiner Training.

Our Forensic Nurse Examiner Training Program hosts nurses from across the country and around the world seeking clinical preceptorship hours toward Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner certification. Crisis Services is an Alabama Board of Nursing Continuing Education Provider and offers continuing education credits to nurses who attend our training.

Information and referrals through 211.

Crisis Services manages 211 for Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Marshall, and DeKalb counties, connecting community members to housing, food, utilities, mental health resources, transportation, and hundreds of other services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 211 is funded by United Way and operated by Crisis Services of North Alabama.

Education and training.

Crisis Services provides professional training, community education, and a Speakers Bureau to strengthen how our region responds to crisis. We also offer general and specialized training for volunteers preparing to serve on HELPline and 211, as Rape Crisis Advocates in Rape Response, or as Domestic Violence Responders.