Programs and Services
Current Programs
TESSA is the sole, confidential provider in El Paso and Teller counties of crisis intervention and supportive services specifically for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Currently, TESSA has over 40 staff (full-time and part-time) and 185 volunteers/interns working to serve clients in six different locations throughout the Pikes Peak region, including Cripple Creek, Fountain, Woodland Park and Calhan. TESSA offers a wide variety of prevention, intervention, advocacy and clinical services, all of which are confidential per Colorado Revised Statutes.
24-Hour Crisis Line
Staff and trained volunteers provide intervention, information, and community referral services to domestic violence and/or sexual assault victims. The crisis line is also open to kids and teens to provide emotional support, information, and access to counselors for children under age 18. 719.633.3819
Safehouse
TESSA’s Safehouse provides emergency shelter, food, case management, counseling, and support to female victims and their children. Women and children can stay up to six weeks, during which time an assessment of their needs (therapeutic and non-therapeutic) is conducted. Depending on the results of this assessment, the Safehouse provides counseling, parenting coaching, case management, and advocacy to clients. Assistance is also offered around finding permanent safe housing, employment, childcare, adult educational opportunities, and even new identities, should that be necessary for their situation. The Safehouse program serves adult female victims in need of shelter through collaboration with local hotels. 719.633.3819
Children’s Program (residential and non-residential)
The Children’s Program offers therapeutic and non-therapeutic services and supports to children who have witnessed and/or been victims of domestic violence, to both the children living in our residential program as well as community based children. Children residing in the Safehouse receive case management, therapy, and play/recreation. Psycho-educational, developmentally appropriate groups (DoVE Kids and Teen DoVE), as well as children’s advocacy, are provided to non-residential (community based) who have been exposed to violence in their homes. 719.633.1462
Victim Advocacy
Staff and trained volunteers provide advocacy, information, support, and referrals for victims struggling with domestic violence (intimate partner violence), dating violence, intimate partner stalking, and/or sexual assault. Advocacy offers a safe and supportive environment where clients can talk with an advocate to discover and identify their options, develop safety plans, receive assistance with temporary protection orders, and acquire information and referrals. Confidential advocates also provide 24/7 on-call hospital response, court support, systems advocacy for clients facing and navigating the criminal justice and other institutional “systems”, and basic support and education as individuals develop their options for their future. Multi-cultural, multi-lingual advocates provide services for Spanish-speaking individuals. 719.633.1462
TESSA has two victim advocates who are co-located at the Department of Human Services TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) department. These advocates are available to work with TANF clients who identify domestic violence as an issue or barrier to their self-sufficiency. 719.444.8119
TESSA attempts to have court support advocates available every week day at the El Paso County Courthouse. Our advocates can assist with the process of obtaining and filling out paperwork to apply for a protection order. Please plan on about an hour to work with an advocate on preparing a timeline. See our Contact Us page for hours and location.
Counseling Program
TESSA offers group therapy and individual psychotherapy to people involved in domestic violence, as well as to victims of sexual assault. Although there are other agencies and private therapists in our community, TESSA’s counselors are specifically trained to treat the psychological issues that contribute to and result from domestic violence and/or sexual assault. In addition, the Counseling Program offers psycho-educational support groups for adult victims of domestic violence to provide education about domestic violence, self-esteem, healthy relationships, goal setting and problem solving, as well as therapeutic support groups for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. 719.633.1462
Community Outreach
Staff and trained volunteers are available to any group requesting a presentation about domestic and sexual violence, including the dynamics of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, children exposed to domestic violence, DV offenders, etc. TESSA welcomes invitations to educate the community. In particular, TESSA provides training and education to schools, businesses, community associations, and faith-based organizations. Additionally, we work closely with many schools in our community to provide education and outreach to teachers, staff and students around interpersonal violence prevention and teen dating violence. 719.785.6842
Volunteer Program (More info here)
TESSA appreciates the many volunteers who assist in the operation of the agency. Volunteers are recruited and trained to assist with the Crisis Line, Safehouse, Children’s Programs, Victim Advocacy, Community Outreach, administration, fundraising, and special projects. 719.785.6811
