Two East Tennessee community health and services agencies plan to join forces starting New Year's Day. The Helen Ross McNabb Center and the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee (SACET) will merge on January 1, according to a press release.
SACET will operate as a division within the McNabb Center. It serves victims of sexual assault in a 15-county region of East Tennessee, in addition to services that include community education, advocacy and therapy.
The ultimate goal is to bring the services provided by SACET and McNabb under one roof, strengthening both agencies.
“Merging operations will enhance crisis services in our community and strengthen our response to individuals who have been sexually assaulted and affected by trauma," said Helen Ross McNabb's Leann Human-Hilliard.
SACET was established as the Knoxville Rape Crisis Center in 1973. The Helen Ross McNabb Center began operations in 1948.