What is TIP?
Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego (TIP) is a non-profit volunteer-based program developed to provide immediate support and assistance to those traumatically affected in emergency situations.
When a trauma occurs, partnering agencies such as law enforcement, fire, and hospital personnel request a TIP volunteer to be with survivors to provide much needed emotional and practical support immediately following the crisis. TIP works closely with partnering agencies to provide a different dynamic to the emergency response system to meet the emotional needs of surviving victims.
Who are TIP volunteers?
TIP volunteers are specially trained individuals of various ages (16+) and backgrounds who understand the benefit and need of a compassionate presence alongside someone processing a trauma. Many of our volunteers have personally suffered a traumatic event and know in a singular way the benefit of how immediate emotional support can significantly impact the healing process in a positive way.
What do TIP volunteers do?
When arriving at a scene, TIP volunteers:
- Provide a calming, supportive, compassionate presence.
- Serve as an advocate and liaison between survivors and emergency personnel.
- Protect the survivors from further emotional trauma.
- Respectfully answer questions and discuss available resources.
- Assist survivors with contacting family and other support.
- Offer resources for the survivor to refer to.
- To volunteer with TIP click here
When is TIP called?
Since trauma and tragedy can happen at any time, TIP volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. TIP volunteers are requested by authorized emergency responders to assist in tragedies such as:
- Natural or unexpected deaths (suicides, sudden infant deaths (SIDS), drowning, etc.).
- Crimes including sexual assault, robbery, and domestic violence.
- Emergency scenes including vehicle accidents, house fires, and community disasters.
- When assisting individuals who are distraught and seeking immediate support.
How is TIP Funded?
TIP is a non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that offers services at no charge to individuals in crisis. TIP is funded through partnering agencies, such as Law Enforcement and Fire Departments, who contribute an annual assessment fee to receive TIP crisis intervention services for their community members. Funds are also made possible through individual donations, corporate donors, grant awards, and fundraising efforts.
Why TIP?
Following a tragic event, individuals suffer emotional trauma. Survivors often suffer from confusion, fear, extreme sadness, denial, and an inability to think. Often there is no one available in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy to guide survivors through these first difficult hours. TIP volunteers are there to assist during this critical and desperate time. The emotional support offered by TIP volunteers provides a buffer to extreme distress and TIP provides the necessary immediate support until survivors are able to depend on family and friends.