Kootenai Health Foundation Awarded Federal Grant

Kootenai Health Foundation Awarded $950,000 Federal Grant to Expand Services for Survivors of Violence Across North Idaho

Kootenai Health Foundation received a $950,000 multi-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to strengthen community responses to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking across the 10 northern counties of the Idaho Panhandle.

The grant will expand Kootenai Health’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program, ensuring survivors have access to 24/7 trauma-informed medical forensic services. These services address immediate health needs while preserving evidence that may assist in the pursuit of justice.

Funding also supports Safe Passage’s Children’s Advocacy Center, a key partner in responding to child sexual abuse. Through this collaboration, survivors and families will have access to advocacy, medical care, and resources that promote healing and safety.

“This continued investment marks another important step forward for northern Idaho,” said Cara Nielsen, President of the Kootenai Health Foundation. “Survivors in rural communities often face significant barriers to care. With this renewed support, we’re able to build on our progress and further expand access to vital community services—regardless of the time of day or where someone lives.”

The partnership between Kootenai Health, Safe Passage, and the Northwest Hospital Alliance builds on ongoing efforts to improve access to care and justice for survivors of all ages. Violence does not stop at county lines, and this grant makes it possible to provide a coordinated response throughout the region.

“Safe Passage is honored to partner with Kootenai Health through this OVW grant,” said Amanda Krier, executive director of Safe Passage. “By expanding Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner staffing and training, and adding a child abuse specialized medical provider, this funding ensures survivors in our community, including children, have access to timely, trauma-informed medical care and advocacy. For many survivors, this care is the first step in healing and in seeking justice. The ability to strengthen this response together means fewer barriers, less trauma, and greater hope for the people we serve.”

SANE training equips registered nurses with specialized skills to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual assault, including conducting medical forensic exams and collecting evidence that may be used in legal proceedings, while collaborating with community partners to ensure the best outcomes for survivors.

“SANE Training is essential for equipping nurses with the skills and sensitivity needed to care for survivors of sexual assault. It’s not just about collecting evidence – it’s about restoring dignity, safety, and trust in a moment of profound vulnerability,” said Jennifer Bailey, forensic nurse

examiner at Kootenai Health. “It’s about giving survivors autonomy, empowerment, choice, and hope. As a Forensic Nurse Examiner, I’ve seen firsthand how trauma-informed care empowers survivors to begin healing while ensuring their voices are heard in both medical and legal settings. The more we can train other nurses on this topic, the stronger our community will be.”

To learn more about supporting community services such as this, visit safepassageid.org or kootenaihealthfoundation.org.