By Delaney Smith, Santa Barbara Independent, February 5, 2020 As part of Santa Barbara County’s overhaul of its criminal justice system, the Board of Supervisors accepted a nearly $6 million grant Tuesday to fund a treatment program for minor offenders suffering from drug addiction or mental illness in an effort to divert them from jail. “Basically what it means is we are taking the most vulnerable individuals who suffer from substance-abuse and mental-health issues — who often end up in our...

In an interview regarding how she and her organization are adjusting to a new work environment, continuing to serve their community, and remaining resilient amid all things COVID-19, Ann McCarty, Executive Director of the North County Rape Crisis Center (or, "the Center," as McCarty and her colleagues often refer to their organization), shared that the Center is finding itself busier than ever. McCarty reported that the influx of work that she and her employees are experiencing is nothing of...

The North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center was created out of frustration and desperation at the height of the women’s movement in the 1970’s. In the mid 70s the founder Joyce Howerton was fed up with the lack of support and services for women in the area and decided to create her own hotline in her home garage. All she had was a desk and a landline phone to help connect with the women of the community and provide safe space for those that had been abused. This attitude of...

Thank you Ann and Team for for the devotion you all have to serving our community! We appreciate North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center for being a Resilient Santa Barbara County Community Partner, and for playing an active role in the Child Abuse Prevention Council and the KIDS Network!