Tonya Lynch

Background

About Tonya Lynch

After transitioning from a long and successful career in early childhood administration into a professional family and support services career in the federally funded Head Start program for families of preschool age children, I began a rewarding career in social services by efficiently coordinating a ten family caseload as a Home Visitor. In August 2014 I seized the opportunity to utilize my social service skills, college education and Center for Women and Families Volunteer Training in the criminial justice field as a full-time Victim Advocate. I am passionate about working with victims of various crimes from all ages, races, genders, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. I enjoy efficiently coordinating victim services for PACT, Inc. in Crawford County, Indiana. My clients include Prosecutor Referal cases, Department of Child Services referrals, Law Enforcement, Probation and Circuit Court referrals as well as walk-in clients. My responsibilities include family support services, community referrals, case management, crisis intervention, emergency financial assistance, mediation services on behalf of domestic violence victims and the abuser, child sexual assault advocacy from forensic interviews through possible prosecution, assisting with protective order petitions and hearings, court advocacy, community outreach services, etc. I have found my calling in this exciting, albeit sometimes disheartening, career by advocating for the rights of victims through a Trauma Informed Care approach which educates, informs, and respects the choices of the individual and seeks to assist in the healing process as they journey through the criminal and civil justice systems. Update: I transferred to PACT, Inc.’s Harrison County Victim Services Outreach office (Corydon, IN) in June 2017 in the same position where I have brain-stormed, conceptualized, researched and seen through to full implementation several new and updated projects and services.