Vulnerable residents
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Project Life Saver
Law enforcement and families use Project Lifesaver’s technology, an electronic tracking devices, to find someone who has wandered away from family and return them home safely. Typically, the program is used with individuals who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, or other cognitive impairments including some mental illnesses.
Learn more about taking advantage of this service by calling Jennifer Packett, Communications Supervisor: (804) 580-5221.
Victim assistance
Because a crime can have severe after-effects, help is available for victims. Weeks, months, and sometimes years after a crime, victims may still experience emotional, financial, and legal difficulties and these problems may lead to feelings of helplessness, guilt, frustration and anger.
Your rights as a crime victim:
to be treated with dignity and compassion
to be protected from intimidation and harm
to be informed of social services and resources available in the community
to be informed concerning the justice system, and the status of the case
to be assisted if subpoenaed as a witness
to have help in dealing with the system and to be accompanied to court for support
to have opinions considered at the case disposition through a Victim Impact Statement
to preservation of property and employment
to be compensated for injuries, wage loss, and funeral expenses, through the Virginia Victims Fund by filing a claim form
to be assisted while working with other Victim Services agencies
Learn more and get help:
Iris Fisher
Victim Witness Director, Northumberland County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
220 Judicial Place | Heathsville, VA 22473
(804) 580-4646 Victim Witness Program | (804) 580-4471 Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
Get a protective order: Learn more on the FAQs page.
Resources:
2-1-1 Virginia ↗: This is a free service that can help individuals and families find the local resources they need (food, shelter, medical assistance, help for older family members, domestic violence services, and much more). The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in several ways: telephone, online chat, and email. Your communication with 2-1-1 Virginia is confidential.
From a Virginia area code, dial 2-1-1; from another area code, dial (800) 230-6977
Chat and email, go to the 2-1-1- website ↗ for details
Deaf and hard of hearing: From a Virginia area code, dial 7-1-1 for Virginia Relay then (800) 230-6977
The Haven Shelter & Services, Inc. ↗: Located in Warsaw, The Haven provides assistance to individuals and their friends and family who have experienced sexual abuse, domestic violence, family violence or other related types of trauma. The Haven offers support groups, job assistance, affordable housing options, and counseling and referral services.
The Haven’s 24-hour Crisis Hotline: (800) 22HAVEN or (800) 224-2836
Office: (804) 333-1099
Legal Aid Works® ↗: This nonprofit legal services organization offers domestic violence legal assistance ↗ in addition to other kinds of legal assistance. Learn more about domestic violence and your rights in Know Your Rights: Domestic Violence ↗ (PDF).
Phone (Tappahannock office): (804) 443-9393
Email (Tappahannock office): LAWtapp@LegalAidWorks.org
Northumberland County Department of Social Services (DSS): The local DSS office offers a variety of income supports including financial assistance and Medicaid. Learn more:
Jackie Clayton, Director
Northumberland County Department of Social Services
6373 Northumberland Highway, Suite A | Heathsville, VA 22473
Virginia Victims Fund ↗: This is a state program created to help victims of violent crime with out-of-pocket expenses such as medical bills, prescriptions, counseling, lost wages, and funeral expenses. Learn more about this fund can help people impacted by crime ↗.
Witness assistance
Because a crime can have severe after-effects, help is available for witnesses. Weeks, months, and sometimes years after a crime, witnesses may still experience emotional, financial, and legal difficulties and these problems may lead to feelings of helplessness, guilt, frustration and anger.
You have rights as a witness:
to be treated with dignity and compassion
to be protected from intimidation and harm
to be informed of social services and resources available in the community
to be informed concerning the justice system, and the status of the case
to be assisted if subpoenaed
to have help in dealing with the system and to be accompanied to court for support
to have opinions considered at the case disposition through a Victim Impact Statement
to preservation of property and employment
to be compensated for injuries, wage loss, and funeral expenses, through the Virginia Victims Fund by filing a claim form
to be assisted while working with other Victim Services agencies
Learn more and get help:
Iris Fisher
Victim Witness Director, Northumberland County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
220 Judicial Place | Heathsville, VA 22473
(804) 580-4646 Victim Witness Program | (804) 580-4471 Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
Resources:
2-1-1 Virginia ↗: This is a free service that can help individuals and families find the local resources they need (food, shelter, medical assistance, help for older family members, domestic violence services, and much more). The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in several ways: telephone, online chat, and email. Your communication with 2-1-1 Virginia is confidential.
From a Virginia area code, dial 2-1-1; from another area code, dial (800) 230-6977
Chat and email, go to the 2-1-1- website ↗ for details
Deaf and hard of hearing: From a Virginia area code, dial 7-1-1 for Virginia Relay then (800) 230-6977