TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Between guidance to stay at home when possible and the shutdown of many non-essential services across the nation to promote social distancing, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased time at home for many families.
This can place additional stress on family relationships, and can make existing negative situations worse, according to Col. Patrick Pohle, Air Force Family Advocacy Program chief.
“When in this environment, it is important to be aware of things like irritability, outbursts, feelings of hopelessness and anxiety,” said Pohle. “If people can acknowledge things are escalating, that’s the time to find safe areas in the home and agreeable rules of engagement. Disengage and recharge a little bit, so that a small situation doesn’t escalate.”
For those who work at Tinker Air Force Base and are connected to the Tinker community, Capt. Adrianna Harrell, a licensed clinical social worker and 72nd Medical Group Family Advocacy officer in charge, said that it is important that those at risk are aware of the resources available at Tinker.
“While we may be grateful to be home with our families, for some being able to go to work, school or daycare may have been the only relief that they had from abusive circumstances,” Harrell said. “Even though [we as people] may be increasing our social distance, we still need to be reaching out to each other, offering support and helping as best we can from a distance.”
Harrell said that while the Family Advocacy Office may not be operating as usual due to the need for social distancing and other guidelines currently in place under Health Protection Condition Charlie, the office is still working to ensure they can meet the needs of those facing domestic violence or other issues.
“Things have changed in terms of how we’re providing that support, but we are still active and engaged,” Harrell said. “If anyone calls that Family Advocacy number or reaches out to us via command post or leadership, we are still fully active, fully responsive and fully engaged.”
The Family Advocacy Office can be reached at 582-6604. Additionally, Tinker’s Mental Health Clinic can still be reached for any counseling needs at 582-6603. The Tinker Chapel also offers confidential pastoral counseling for cases of domestic violence and other situations at 734-2111.
Domestic Violence Community Partners
Only assessing on the basis of high level of lethality. Case would have to be extreme for them to be taken for placement during COVID-19.
917-9922 Domestic Violence Hotline
943-7273 Sexual Assault Hotline
948-1770 Main Phone
Service description: Provides emergency shelter and care for victims and their children who are in immediate danger. Victims are assisted in obtaining housing, medical care, legal counsel, transportation and other services. Domestic violence education and support groups provide awareness to clients, giving them the opportunity to regain control over their own lives.
Service hours: Sunday and Saturday, 24-hours
Intake procedure: Call for phone intake
Fees: None
Eligibility: Must be a domestic violence or sexual assault victim in immediate need of emergency assistance.
Documents required: None
Area served: Oklahoma County and surrounding areas
- Mid-Del Youth and Family Center
Providers are doing telehealth assessments only. They will only have one-to-two youths in the shelter until April 30 and then will reassess.
424-0177 Main Phone
Service description: Provides a 24/7 emergency youth shelter with a home environment designed to encourage physical and emotional safety. Shelter works with Midwest City and Del City police departments as an emergency placement for runaway children or adolescents.
Service hours: 24-hours
Intake procedure: Intake done by childcare social worker.
Fees: None
Eligibility: Children birth to 17 years of age
552-1010 Main Phone
Service description: Houses numerous organizations that can help a victim of domestic violence. During COVID-19, doing all telework for patients and has majority of forms uploaded on their website.
Fees: None
Eligibility: Experienced domestic violence
Documents required: None
Area served: Oklahoma City
Languages: English and Spanish
- Women’s Resource Center Norman
Still operating all shelters for rape crises and domestic violence. If they have a positive COVID-19 case come in, they will not allow anyone else in, but will still provide services. No change as far as screening protocols and operating as usual.
701-5540 Service/Intake 24-hour Rape Crisis Center
701-5660 Service/Intake 24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line
701-5497 Domestic Violence Shelter
Service description: Provides safe, temporary housing for women and their children who have been victimized by domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. Residents receive individual and group support, domestic violence education, advocacy, information and referral on housing, job training, legal aid and financial assistance. They also benefit from the understanding and support of the staff and other residents.
Service hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 24-hour emergency shelter
Intake procedure: Call for details
Fees: None
Eligibility: Women and children who are victims and/or survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.