H.O.P.E. Agency contract not renewed by DVS

The Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, Division of Victim Services (DVS) has decided to not renew their contract with Hot Springs County’s H.O.P.E. Agency, currently leaving the agency with no apparent source of funding.

When asked why H.O.P.E. Agency’s contract was not renewed, Darryl Erickson, Deputy Director of DVS said, “The Division of Victim Services are the funders of victim service providers throughout the state and, of course, the money comes with some strings, some compliance and expectations. We started receiving reports of some concerns regarding the H.O.P.E. Agency around the beginning of last fall. We were concerned about how the H.O.P.E. Agency was running or not running, so we conducted an investigation and decided to find a more efficient source for our funding.”

Erickson added, “The decision did not come lightly, but we made the choice to not renew their contract. Discussions were held over a period of time with H.O.P.E. Agency to bring them into compliance and to help them take steps toward better staff retention.”

“Our primary goal is to have quality services available in Hot Springs County,” said Erickson.

Specific examples of DVS’s concerns were not available due to confidentiality issues. 

Erickson provided a general description of their concerns and said it was “about the way the organization was managed by the executive director and some of the actions of the board. One thing I can say is that when we looked into it, we realized that the board of directors were not following their own bylaws. There were some issues there. There were some management issues.”

As far as the H.O.P.E. Agency board’s awareness of their contract not being renewed, Erickson said, “Correspondence to that potentiality started back in January or February. And to be honest, to be fair, we did not shut down H.O.P.E. Agency. H.O.P.E. Agency is its own entity. We don’t control that. We decided to not renew our contract with them.”

In order to continue victim services in Hot Springs County, Erickson reached out to Self Help Services in Casper. Erickson said, “It was in order to continue services in Hot Springs County. The bottom line is the primary concern for the Division of Victim Services is the provision of quality services within Hot Springs County. We do not want to leave the victims and clients and survivors of Hot Springs County on their own. We wanted to make sure somebody was able to step up and do that. And actually, the Self Help Center was willing to undertake that project for us on our behalf. So, it was a request we made to them and they were willing to do that. So far, it’s churning along.” 

Erickson continued and said, “We understand that impression services will begin if that has not already, but granted it will take a little bit of time, there is some confusion as to what H.O.P.E. Agency is going to do with their assets if they dissolve. The Division is not in the loop of what H.O.P.E. Agency and its board are doing with their agency or with their assets.”

For Self Help Center’s effort here locally, Erickson said, “We are calling it the Hot Springs Project. It’s not Natrona County. It’s Hot Springs Services. And so we are trying to get them up and running on site. It’s just a little bit difficult finding rental space and that type of thing.”

The Self Help Center already has someone selected, but Erickson doesn’t know if that person is on site in Thermopolis yet. It’s a matter of finding a location. “The intention is to have local advocates as quickly as possible.” As for the timeline of getting an office up and running, they don’t know that, but it is intended to be done as soon as possible. In Erickson’s discussions with Self Help Center, they are aiming for the end of the month or even sooner. 

As far as knowing the future of the Division’s concerns with H.O.P.E. Agency, Erickson said that would be a decision made by Cara Chambers, the Director of the Division of Victim Services. Erickson said, “She is usually very transparent.” 

Erickson said that the Thermopolis Police Department, the Sheriff’s Office, the County Attorney’s Office, the Department of Family Services are all on board with this transition. Erickson said, “We are looking forward to creating something that will benefit Hot Springs County. I would reiterate that it is our intention to have a local agency as soon as possible.” 

H.O.P.E. Agency board members were contacted for comment. Two board members initially agreed to comment and met with an IR reporter, but then later declined due to advice from their lawyer.

A sign on the door of the H.O.P.E. Agency building reads, “Due to unforeseen circumstances the H.O.P.E. Agency is closed.” Phone numbers are also listed for those who are in need of an advocate.