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Services we provide:
Advocacy
Advocacy can vary based on the persons needs and can include informing people of their rights and reporting options, medical options, safety planning, information on civil protection orders, accompaniment to court, academic advocacy, and assistance with navigating systems (academic, administrative, criminal, and more). OVA will support the individual in whatever they decide is best for them. Regardless if an individual chooses to report or not, the individual has rights and options. OVA can assist in navigating systems and advocate to address the individuals needs confidentially whether it is working with academic, employment, medical, administrative, law enforcement, and other systems.
Counseling
Counseling services are free and confidential. Students, graduate students, faculty, and staff impacted by a potentially traumatic or life disruptive event can receive up to 6 counseling sessions. If one is seeking/needing longer term counseling OVA can provide referrals to providers in the community. Counseling is about working with the client's goals around support and healing and can include processing one's traumatic experience(s), as well as learning coping skills and a goal of increaseing self-care.
Consultation and Support
OVA is also here to consult with and provide support to colleagues, friends, and family of individuals who have experienced a potentially traumatic or life disruptive event. OVA can offer guidance on how to support the individual, answer questions regarding systems and options, as well as provide direct support to the impacted friend or family member.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an essential part of the work in OVA. Services are provided by licensed social workers and professional counselors. All information provided during your sessions are legally confidential and not released without your consent. Counseling and advocacy records are maintained in files completely separate from the academic or employment records and cannot be accessed by campus or community systems without the client's signed authorization. Information will not be released to any person or agency without your written consent, unless we are required to do so by law. Such exceptions include:
- Disclosures of suspected child (person under the age of 18) or elder (person over the age of 70) abuse or neglect.
- Disclosures of suspected abuse or neglect of an at-risk adult with IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)
- The client may inflict serious harm, is in imminent danger, to themselves or others.
- Client becomes gravely disabled.
- Duty to warn of a serious threat of imminent violence against a specific person(s)
- If you disclose unethical conduct by a mental health professional your counselor will be required to report this, however you can remain anonymous.
- To a health oversight agency for reasons such as licensure or disciplinary actions.
- In response to a court order.
- An additional exception would be information requested by a government agency for health oversight activities or to prevent terrorism under the U.S. Patriot Act.
For more information on confidentiality please see section C.R.S. 12-245-220 (formerly 12-43-218) of the Colorado Revised Statutes. The Mental Health Practice Act is available at: http://cdn.colorado.gov/.
Please contact our office with questions regarding confidentiality. Your advocate counselor will identify to you any of these situations if they arise during a session, if feasible. A detailed Notice of Privacy Practices and Disclosure Statement document is reviewed with people when they begin services.
Get Involved
OVA does not have any volunteer or intern opportunities. Click here for a list of ways to get involved on and off campus. Make a difference in your community!
Student Affairs
OVA is part of the Health and Wellness Services out of the Division of Student Affairs. We report to the Assosiate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Jennifer McDuffie. The Division of Student Affairs values the diverse backgrounds, histories, identities and life experiences of every member of our community. We strive toward inclusive excellence in making our policies, processes, and actions socially just and equitable. We celebrate and embrace differences. We are committed to welcoming and including diverse groups and perspectives in building a climate in which all members can thrive in an environment where they feel at home, welcome and safe.