CJCC Resources for Victims of the Apalachee High School Shooting in Winder, Georgia

We are heartbroken by the tragic mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this senseless act of violence. Our agency is committed to helping the community heal, and we will continue to provide resources and assistance to those impacted by this devastating event. Below are a range of resources available to support those affected by the tragic events of September 4th.

GEORGIA CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The Victims Compensation Program helps ease the financial burden faced by victims of violent crimes. The program covers up to $25,000 in expenses related to medical bills, funeral costs, mental health counseling, crime scene cleanup, as well as loss of income or support. The program has a shortened application and an expedited eligibility process for mass casualty cases. This prioritization of mass casualty cases is a testament to our understanding of the unique challenges these situations present.  Due to the significant number of those affected in these instances, the staff works with partner organizations to ensure all victims have access to services. Click Download this pdf file. here for an FAQ with more information on program requirements.  

Who should apply

  • Anyone who was present at Apalachee High School during the incident
  • Immediate family members of the deceased victims  

What we need

  • A completed application for each victim. For those who were not physically injured, we require a SMET  Verification Form completed by a licensed mental health professional that states that the victim suffered serious mental and emotional trauma. 
    • Click Download this pdf file. here to download English Mass Shooting Application.
    • Click Download this pdf file. here to download Spanish Mass Shooting Application. 
    • Click Download this pdf file. here to download the SMET form.   

You may email the application to [email protected]‪ or fax them to 404-463-7652. Please call 404-657-2222 if you have questions. 

How long you have to apply and how long are benefits available 

  • Victims may apply at any time. 
  • If approved, benefits are available until the victim/claimant reaches the Categorical and/or Program limits. 

VICTIM HELPLINES 

VictimConnect

Victim Connect is an OVC-funded service that offers confidential assistance to victims of crime. Trained specialists are available to help you locate services in your area, including mental health counseling, legal services, and more. Contact VictimConnect, Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time at:

Phone or text: 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846)
Chat: https://victimconnect.org/get-help/victimconnect-chat
Dial 711 and VictimConnect staff can provide services through an interpreter in more than 200 languages and to hearing- and speech-impaired individuals.

Disaster Distress Helpline

The Disaster Distress Helpline, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is a national hotline dedicated to year-round disaster crisis counseling.

This 24/7 toll free, multilingual, crisis support service is available to residents in the United States and its territories experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text the hotline at 800-985-5990.

RESOURCES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN

Recovery From Large-Scale Crises: Guidelines for Crisis Teams and Administrators
In this tip sheet, the National Association of School Psychologists describes what to expect in schools after disasters and other crises and how school crisis teams and administrators can support the school community in coping and recovery. It identifies steps administrators and crisis teams can take at different points after the crisis, from immediately after the crisis to more than a year later.

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
The NCTSN provides a series of resources that may assist parents, school personnel, pediatric care providers, and others when speaking with youth and teens, including:

The NCTSN also has resources for responders on Psychological First Aid. Psychological First Aid is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events.

ADDITONAL VICTIM RESOURCES

Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
This tip sheet contains information about grief, the grieving process, and what happens when the process is interrupted and complicated or traumatic grief occurs.

Tips for Survivors: Coping With Anger After a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event
This tip sheet intends to aid survivors in coping with bouts of anger that may follow disasters or traumatic events. It describes the physical changes that may indicate anger and provides guidance for coping and integrating positive habits into your life, as well as resources for additional support.

Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Coping with Retraumatization
This brochure explains the signs and symptoms of retraumatization. Gives guidance on how to manage the symptoms. It provides resources for building resilience and an adequate support system for dealing with triggering events. This brochure is also available in Spanish.

Self Help Resources for Survivors of Mass Violence
The path to recovery is different for every victim of a mass violence incident. Self-help resources may be useful as a way to begin your own healing process or to provide help to a child or someone close to you. These resources are not a substitute for treatment from a health care professional, but they may help you learn important skills and coping strategies.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE DIVISION

CJCC’s Victim Assistance Division can provide effective coordination and timely response in mass casualty events. The team works closely with community-based and criminal justice-based victim service providers and other state partners to ensure that available resources are provided in the most timely, effective, and compassionate manner possible. The Victim Assistance Division specializes in administering grant funding that support trauma-informed direct services such as crisis intervention, counseling, personal advocacy, court advocacy, transportation, emergency housing, etc. 

As the State Administering Agency for the Victims of Crime Act Assistance Formula Grant Program, we are also invited to apply for emergency grant funding to support eligible expenses incurred by the state. Through the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP), OVC supports victims and jurisdictions that have experienced incidents of terrorism or mass violence. AEAP is designed to supplement the available resources and services of entities responding to acts of terrorism or mass violence in order to ensure that a program’s resources are sufficient and/or not diverted to these victims to the detriment of other crime victims. CJCC has initiated this process and will be meeting with local and state partners in the application process.

Below is a list of CJCC Funded Community Resources for Banks, Barrow, and Jackson Counties. 


JUSTICE GRANTS DIVISION

As the State Administering Agency for the Justice Assistance Grant Program, CJCC is also invited to apply for emergency grant funding to support law enforcement related expenses incurred by the state. The Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance (EFLEA) Program assists state and/or local government units in responding to extraordinary law enforcement emergencies by authorizing the U.S. Attorney General to grant funding to help alleviate the costs incurred by law enforcement agencies in responding to emergency law enforcement challenges. CJCC has initiated the application process and will be working with state and local agencies to determine the costs they incurred in response to this event.