BOISE — The Regence Foundation announced today that it has awarded a $20,000 grant to the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence to support a new program that will help Idaho health care providers screen for and respond to domestic and sexual violence, and adolescent dating abuse. The grant is part of Regence’s annual employee-nominated grant program.

"Every year we encourage Regence employees to nominate organizations that are doing transformative work in the health care field," said Peggy Maguire, Regence Foundation board president. "We selected this employee-nominated organization specifically because it promotes and facilitates domestic violence and sexual abuse screening within the health care system."

The coalition was nominated by Peter Kerrick, who works in pharmacy services in Regence's Boise office: "The Idaho Coalition will use this grant to create tools to help health care providers better identify abuse victims. As it is, simply asking if someone is being abused or needs help is not enough, as victims are often afraid to accept or ask for help."

The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence is a statewide nonprofit with more than 80 member organizations dedicated to promoting healthy relationships and safe, thriving communities. The Idaho Coalition works to enhance collaboration between domestic violence programs and public health programs to prevent, intervene and respond to adolescent dating and sexual abuse and domestic and sexual violence for expectant or new mothers.

Learn more about the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.