New Partnership Brings Life-Saving Child SANE Services to Elkhart County

Image: CAPS Instagram / CAPS Facebook

For years, child survivors of sexual abuse and assault in Elkhart County, Indiana faced a difficult reality: accessing specialized medical forensic care meant traveling miles away, most often to South Bend. For many families—especially those without reliable transportation—that distance created a major barrier at an already overwhelming time.

Now, a transformative partnership between Child and Parent Services (CAPS) and Maple City Health Care Center (MCHCC) is reshaping that landscape. Together, the organizations are bringing Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) services directly into the community, filling a critical gap in care for vulnerable children.

“So many barriers for individuals we serve are going to be transportation and again add that on top of trauma, a lot of people might not even get the service,” says Troy Smith, chief advancement officer at CAPS. His point highlights a simple truth: when survivors must overcome logistical hurdles just to receive care, some never receive it at all.

What the New SANE Program Offers

Through this new collaboration, children can now access trauma-informed medical exams, forensic evidence collection, immediate emotional support, and follow-up care—without leaving their own county. For nursing professionals, this represents a significant step forward in delivering compassionate, specialized care to a highly vulnerable population.

Elizabeth Diaz, SANE Coordinator at MCHCC, emphasizes the importance of bringing this expertise closer to home. “It is vital for anyone in our community who experiences sexual abuse or assault to receive trauma-informed care and support in a safe and welcoming clinical environment. We are grateful to partner with CAPS to provide this crucial resource for those in need in our county.”

Strengthening an Existing Support Network

The partnership builds on CAPS’ Child & Family Advocacy Center by adding medical forensic services to its already multidisciplinary model. This integration creates a seamless continuum of care—from the first report through ongoing support—reflecting best practices for trauma-responsive systems.

For nurses who work with pediatric populations, the initiative highlights just how powerful specialized SANE training can be. It also demonstrates how community-based care delivery can remove access barriers that disproportionately affect underserved families.

Reflecting Community Values

Smith notes that the collaboration aligns with the community’s broader commitment to its children. “I think that there's nothing more important than investing in our children. These kind of collaborations are an amazing part of our community.”

The impact extends well beyond the initial exam. Localizing these services helps support survivors throughout the entire healing process—emotionally, medically, and even legally. By minimizing travel and keeping care close to home, families can focus on supporting their child rather than overcoming logistical challenges.

A Model for Reducing Healthcare Disparities

For nursing professionals across specialties, this partnership serves as a meaningful example of how strategic collaboration can break down longstanding healthcare disparities. Bringing specialized nursing services directly to communities that need them most shows how adaptable—and impactful—nursing practice can be.

“We want our community to know that there are amazing resources here for them and that within those systems there are a lot of really caring people who are here to help,” Smith adds, emphasizing the human connection at the heart of this work.

Transforming Access for the Most Vulnerable

Through this collaboration, CAPS and MCHCC are doing more than expanding services—they’re redefining what equitable care looks like in Elkhart County. By eliminating geographic and transportation barriers, they’re ensuring that child survivors can receive the trauma-informed, specialized care they deserve, right in the community they call home.

🤔Nurses, how do you feel about this new partnership? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!