Rice County Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Action Response Team (SMART) SMART is a collaboration of many different organizations within Rice County that serve the needs of sexual assault victims, and not an official agency of the Rice County government.   Child Resiliency Project The project’s mission is to engage Rice County to proactively respond to the impact domestic violence has on our youth through courageous and honest community programming. See this PDF for more.   Crisis Line HOPE Center staff and volunteers provide a direct access 1-800 crisis line, through which survivors of sexual and domestic assault and child abuse can access well trained advocacy help at any time. This includes information and referral services to the community.   Center and Offices HOPE Center maintains a Drop In Center in Faribault, staffed from 9 AM to 5 PM weekdays, and meeting space throughout the county.  The Drop In Center has a support group room, offices, resource room, children’s area, and training space.   General and Support Advocacy HOPE Center advocates provide crisis intervention, support counseling, information about options, help with protection planning, assistance with systems, and referral to other resources for survivors and secondary victims. HOPE Center provides emergency services, such as transportation to shelters, or local safe homes for adults and children who are in danger. General advocacy includes advocacy for individuals contacting medical, mental health, and other systems.   Legal Advocacy Advocates provide information about law enforcement and court procedures; information about victim rights and reparations; assistance with court remedies such as Orders for Protection, Harassment Restraining Orders; and accompaniment and advocacy in civil and criminal court hearings. HOPE Center maintains a close relationship with all law enforcement agencies in Rice County to ensure the needs and rights of survivors are respected.   Group Interaction HOPE Center provides formal and informal style support groups for children and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, including providing child care and transportation. See our Support Groups page for more.   Community and Professional Education Staff and volunteers educate community members and professionals about sexual and domestic violence and child abuse through individual interactions, mass media, and educational presentations to schools, community groups, churches, and other groups as requested.   Systems Change HOPE Center networks individually and in groups with personnel in law enforcement, child protection, court, medical, victim services, mental health, corrections, and other systems.