Alternatives Incorporated was founded through the collaborative efforts of seven women: Ann Carmony, Sandra Clark, Barbara Davis, Linda Kepner, Victoria Perry, Patsy Wood Spencer, and Christie Smith Stevens. The agency was incorporated on November 6, 1978 for the purpose of providing domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and intervention services in Madison County.

The agency operates with the following principals:

Mission Statement
Alternatives Incorporated strives to eradicate family violence in all its facets through education, prevention, and intervention in Central Indiana.

Philosophy Statement
Alternatives Incorporated of Madison County exists to promote the right of all persons to live in a loving caring, safe, and secure environment.

Vision Statement
All persons will live in a loving, caring safe, and secure environment through the collaborative efforts of Alternatives Incorporated of Madison County.

With the growth and enhancement of services and opportunities provided by Alternatives Incorporated, the agency has evolved to serve the entire family unit. The agency strives to support and preserve families; to improve the quality of life for children; and to offer tools of learning to individuals who wish to have healthy, non-violent relationships. All services offered by Alternatives Incorporated are provided without regard to race, age, creed, sex, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, religion, affectional preference, and differently abled.

Program Services

Interpersonal Relationships

• Men's ADAPT Program
  60-hour psychoeducational program for men who have seen the cost of violence and abusive behavior and want to find effective ways to communicate and build healthy relationships.
  
• Women's ADAPT Program
  60-hour psychoeducational program for women who want to learn effectivees tools that enable them to build healthy relationships

Outreach Services
Training for professionals; community awareness presentations; networking and referral services; workshops and certified law enforcement training.

Contact advocate (765) 643-0218.

Shelter Services
24-hour comprehensive emergency shelter services for women and children who are victims of abuse, violence and homelessness. The shelter serves Madison, Hamilton, Hancock and Henry counties with a capacity of 18 permanent beds. Transportation provided.

Contact advocate (765) 643-0200.

Sexual Assault
On-call victim advocacy, 24-hour hotline, crisis response team and support information and referral services for persons who have been victimized sexually either as children or adults. In addition sexual assault prevention services are provided in local classrooms through the Communities Against Rape Initiative with Purdue University.

Crisis Hotline
(765)643-0200
Alternatives Incorporated of Madison County operates a 24 hour crisis hotline for domestic violence, sexual assault and homeless services. Interpersonal Relationships

Youth & Teen Services

• Children's Advocacy
  Support and advocacy services specifically designed for children. Services include an in-shelter preschool; children's support groups; tutoring; and individual support and advocacy.
  
• Talking About Touching
  In-classroom personal safety and decision making program for pre-school and elementary aged children.
  
• Second Steps
  In-classroom violence prevention program for preschool and elementary aged children.

Chemical People Task Force
Local coordinating council for the Governor's Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana. Prevention, treatment, education and justice services provided through funding from the Madison County Drug-Free Communities Funds and Contributions.

Contact (765) 643-0218.

Project:HAVEN
Project: HAVEN is a hospital based domestic violence response program developed in partnership with Community Hospital Anderson. Project: HAVEN includes training for health care professionals and utilizes the health care system to collaborate effective response strategies within communities.

Contact (765)643-0215.

Child Care Development Fund
The Child Care Development Program is funded through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. The program is a component of the federal welfare reform system. CCDF is designed to provide financial assistance so that families can afford quality child care as they move from welfare to work.

Contact (765) 683-4188