Tazewell County V-Stop Program

03/27/2026

THE COMMUNITY SPOKE and we listened!!

TAZEWELL COUNTY COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY’S IMPLEMENTS “SENIOR SHIELD TASK FORCE”

Chris Plaster, Commonwealth’s Attorney, is proud to announce that the Tazewell County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office has created and is launching a Senior Shield Task Force. This task force is a collaborative initiative dedicated to protecting the county’s senior citizens from abuse, neglect, fraud, and exploitation.

The Senior Shield Task Force brings together key agencies and community partners to proactively address crimes and concerns affecting older adults. By strengthening coordination among law enforcement, social services, healthcare providers, and community organizations, the Task Force aims to ensure that Tazewell County’s senior population is safeguarded with vigilance, dignity, and respect.

“The citizens who built this community deserve to live their later years in safety and security,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Plaster. “The Senior Shield Task Force reflects our commitment to stand as a united front against those who would take advantage of our seniors, while also providing the resources and support they need.”

The Task Force includes representatives from: The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, Adult Protective Services, local law enforcement agencies, healthcare and mental health professionals, Victim Witness Assistance Program, and community and advocacy organizations

The initiative will focus on:
- Investigating and prosecuting elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation
- Increasing public awareness and education
- Enhancing reporting mechanisms for suspected abuse
- Coordinating services for victims and their families
Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspected abuse or exploitation of seniors. By working together, Tazewell County can ensure that its elderly citizens are protected and valued.

Please follow the Senior Shield Task Force’s page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576429344830

03/13/2026

💜💜💜💜💜

New Support Group for Survivors of Domestic Violence...Use the QR code below to register. Space is limited. Staff will contact you to complete your registration & answer questions. Join us in a safe, supportive space as we learn & heal together!

01/09/2026

On behalf of V-STOP and all of us at Tazewell County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office we love and appreciate all the hard work and dedication of law enforcement. It's a pleasure to work along side of each and every one of you!

10/23/2025

Today, the Tazewell County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office proudly wore purple in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We honor the lives of those lost and stand with survivors. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, we encourage you to reach out for help.
V-STOP: 276-385-1244
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

03/24/2025

03/12/2024

If you have received services from any member of the V-Stop Program. Please take a moment and complete this survey.

It is not required but encouraged.
Feel free to share this post.

The link is located below.

This project was supported by Grant No. 24-Z9826VA22 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this survey are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S Department o...

03/12/2024

Program Policy and Procedure Update
Post 3 (FINAL POST)

Conflict of Interest Policy

Introduction
This Conflict-of-Interest Policy outlines the standards and guidelines from the Office for Victims of Crime Model Standards for the Tazewell County V-Stop Program to ensure that all V-Stop staff , interns, and volunteers act with integrity, avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain professionalism in their relationships with persons served. The policy aims to uphold the best interests of victims/survivors and promote ethical conduct within the
program.

Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest

2.1. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers are required to act in the best interest of the person served and make efforts to avoid compromising influences and loyalties.

2.2. Personal or professional interests of the V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers shall not compromise their professional judgment and loyalty to the person being served.

2.3. Conflicts of interest arising from previous assignments, employers/programs, or persons served must be avoided.

2.4. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers should make reasonable efforts to avoid conflicts of interest arising from family relationships, personal interests, or business interests.

Disclosure of Conflicts

3.1. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers shall promptly disclose any possible conflict of interest to the program or person served.

3.2. Prospective programs or persons to be served shall be informed of any potential conflicts of interest that may impact the provision of services.

3.3 V-Stop staff, interns and volunteers shall promptly disclose all conflicts in writing to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and include a plan of action for the continued services of the client. The disclosure will be submitted through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) online grants management system, using the grant correspondence feature.

Identification of Conflicts

4.1. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers may share non-confidential information about persons being served with other program staff or ethics counsel to reasonably identify actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Termination of Professional Relationship

5.1. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers shall terminate a professional relationship with a victim/survivor when it is determined that the person is not likely to benefit from
continued services.

5.2. Advanced notice of termination shall be provided to the victim/survivor in compliance with applicable legal and ethical requirements.

5.3. Referrals to appropriate services should be offered as needed or upon the victim's request.

5.4. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers are strongly discouraged from terminating professional relationships in order to initiate personal or business relationships with victims/survivors
who have received services.

Personal Relationships with Persons Served

6.1. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers shall refrain from engaging in personal relationships with persons served that exploit professional trust or impair objectivity and professional judgment.

6.2. If a personal relationship with a victim/survivor cannot be avoided, the provider shall take precautions to ensure that their objectivity and professional judgment are not impaired.

6.3. Precautions include obtaining the victim's informed consent and consulting with a supervisor.

6.4. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers are strongly discouraged from engaging in social or business relationships with current or former clients.

6.5. Professional relationships with individuals with whom the V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers had previous personal or business relationships are allowed only if a reasonable person would conclude that objectivity and professional judgment would not be impaired.

Prohibited Actions

7.1. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers are strictly prohibited from engaging in or requesting s*xual contact with victims/survivors under any circumstances.

7.2. Verbal or physical behaviors that are s*xually seductive, demeaning, or harassing are strictly prohibited.

7.3. Offering or accepting medication, controlled substances, or alcoholic beverages from persons served is prohibited.

Non-Discrimination

8.1. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers must not discriminate against victims/survivors based on protected characteristics such as age, race, s*xual identity, gender, disability, etc.

8.2. Lack of cultural competency is not a valid reason to turn victims/survivors away from the program.

8.3. Referrals should not be made solely based on personal biases or protected characteristics; referrals should be based on staff capacity or conflicts of interest.

8.4. Cultural competence should be developed to provide services for marginalized populations.

Services for Colleagues

9.1. V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers providers should ensure that opportunities are provided for colleagues to access services if they become victims of crime or trauma.

9.2. While seeing a colleague as a client may present a conflict of interest, efforts should be made to minimize conflicts and locate service providers in other jurisdictions if necessary.

Compliance and Review
10.1. All V-Stop staff, interns, and volunteers are required to comply with this policy and uphold the highest ethical standards in their professional conduct.

10.2. This policy shall be reviewed periodically to ensure its continued effectiveness and relevance.

03/12/2024

Program Policy and Procedure Update
Post 2

Non Discrimination Policy

As a recipient of Federal financial assistance, Tazewell County V-Stop Program does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the ground of race, color, national origin, disability, or age, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, etc. in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, and in staff and employee assignments to clients, whether carried out by Tazewell County V-Stop Program directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which Tazewell County V-Stop Program arranges to carry out its programs and activities.

This statement is in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (nondiscrimination on the basis of disability), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (nondiscrimination on the basis of age), regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to these three statutes at Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 80, 84, and 91, (and state laws or corporate
policies, etc.).

Additionally, in accordance with Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, 42 U.S.C. § 18116, Tazewell County V-Stop Program does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the ground of s*x (including gender identity) in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its health programs and activities, and in staff and employee assignments, whether carried out by Tazewell County V-Stop Program directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which Tazewell County V-Stop Program arranges to carry out its programs and activities.

03/12/2024

Program Policy and Procedure Update
Post 1

Confidentiality

All client information obtained while working as a staff member, intern, or volunteer of the Tazewell County, V-Stop Program will be held in the strictest confidence from any outside person or agency.

Any information pertinent to a criminal case investigation or prosecution may be discussed within the Tazewell Count Commonwealth Attorney's office and with other appropriate criminal justice personnel who are assisting with the investigation or prosecution of that case. All other information, not related to a criminal case, communicated by the client shall remain confidential between that client and the Tazewell County V-Stop Program representative.

When preparing reports, responding to surveys or requests from the media, or providing educational presentations, only non-identifying information will be disseminated.

All records containing confidential information will be maintained securely in locked files accessible only to representatives of the Tazewell County V-Stop Program.

The only exceptions to confidentiality include:

1) client requests in writing that the program release information,
2) client makes a report of child or elder abuse,
3) client threatens to hurt self or others, and/or
4) court orders disclosure via subpoena.

Every client will be informed of the conditions of this confidentiality policy during the first Program contact with that client.