Certified Advocate Partners Program

Our Vision

Many victims of domestic violence and stalking have limited financial resources, which means that they don't have the ability to retain an attorney to help them with any necessary legal action. However, these victims typically have access to a free victim advocate through a domestic violence service provider or local law enforcement office. These advocates are trained to help victims access services and understand what resources are available to them. Advocates are often the only person who helps victims with protective orders, but they are barred from giving legal advice. This, we believe, results in fewer victims getting the legal protections they are afforded under Utah state law.

We know that these advocates are a tremendous resource, and are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to protective orders. They commonly attend protective order hearings and know a great deal about why orders are or are not awarded and what standards a judge uses to make decisions. But they aren't able to convey this information to clients under current rules, which can result in improper and failed requests for protective orders. This can further discourage victims from taking steps away from abuse.

We want these victims to get the help they need, using the resources they already have access to.

Our Program

In February 2021, the Certified Advocate Partners Program was authorized by the Utah Supreme Court to operate within the Utah Regulatory Sandbox. In this program, Advocates are able to give legal advice as it pertains to civil protective orders and stalking injunctions in Utah. During our pilot year, we selected a small group of Advocates throughout the State. We provided legal training and, under our direction, they will provide victims with legal services. They are supervised by our Program Director, Hayley Cousin, and are able to reach out to any TLC attorney for assistance when needed.

We are optimistic that this program will help more victims receive legal protection from their abusers, enabling them time and space to recover and begin the process of moving on to the next step in their lives. We want to enable victims to make informed, empowered decisions that bring them closer to safety and stability.

The Certified Advocates began offering services in June 2021.

Our Advocates

Below is a complete list of our active Certified Advocates throughout the state. We have listed their geographical service areas, and how to contact the advocate to be screened for services. To receive CAPP services, you must meet the eligibility requirements of the advocate's agency, not the requirements of Timpanogos Legal Center. Questions can be directed to advocates or to Hayley Cousin at hayley@timplegal.org.

Teresa Allen, Clearfield City
Clearfield City
To be screened for services, contact Teresa Allen directly at teresa.allen@clearfieldcity.org.

Coral Busk, New Horizons Crisis Center, Fillmore
Sevier County
To be screened for services, contact Coral directly at coralb@nhcrisiscenter.org.

Claudia Clark, Salt Lake County, Unified Police Department

Laura Pepe Grimaldo, Park City, Peace House

Kristin Guthrie, Wasatch County
Wasatch County
To be screened for services, contact Kristin directly at kguthrie@wasatch.utah.gov.

Amanda Knudson, Statewide, Cherish Families

Haley Mackelprang, Cedar City, Canyon Creek
Beaver, Garfield, and Iron Counties
To be screened for services, contact Haley directly at haley@canyoncreekservices.org or contact via call/text at 435-383-2068.

Devin Shakespear, Kane County Attorney's Office
Kane County
To be screened for services, contact Devin at 435-644-5278 or dshakespear@kane.utah.gov.
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Our Data

During the first 24 months of offering services, CAPP advocates assisted 199 clients and provided 491 services.

Our advocates helped clients seek 153 protective orders. Using their legal training, they were able to achieve high rates of having protective orders awarded for clients. Of the 153 orders, an ex parte order was issued in 125 cases and denied in only 12 cases. The remaining 16 cases are open or the client did not follow up with the advocate after applying for the order. In most of the cases where an ex parte order was denied, the CAPP advocate had correctly cautioned the client that they may be unsuccessful, but the client requested to proceed regardless.

In the 125 cases with ex parte orders issued, only 6 clients were denied final orders by the court at the hearing. 62 clients were awarded final protective orders, 19 clients chose to dismiss their request at the hearing (generally because an alternate agreement, typically in a divorce case, was agreed upon), and 38 clients are awaiting their hearing or we are waiting on updated data from their final hearing.

When comparing our outcomes to data provided by the Administrative Office of the Utah State Courts from 2021, clients have higher success rates when they have the assistance of a CAPP advocate compared to the statewide average rate of success. This is incredibly encouraging for our program and our advocates. Our numbers also reflect 52 clients who came to seek help with a protective order and ultimately chose to not pursue a request, either because it was not the right time for their situation or because the advocate was able to advise them that they would be unsuccessful. These are clients who otherwise may have applied for an order and have been denied due to lack of grounds or evidence. We want victims to be able to make informed decisions that will lead them to success, and CAPP helps facilitate that.

Timpanogos Legal Center has a special focus on providing legal services to people in rural areas of Utah, who traditionally have less access to free legal services, compared to people living in urban areas. 78% of clients served through CAPP have lived in rural areas of Utah.

We have trained a total of 13 advocates, nine of whom are actively providing legal services.

Inquiries & Media

If you have questions about our program, including the development of CAPP and information on applying to a future class of advocates, please reach out to Hayley Cousin, Program Director, at hayley@timplegal.org.

Legal Assistance Pilot Program Helps Rural Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse in Utah by Kristi Eaton, The Daily Yonder

Need help getting a protective order? A new program in Utah makes the process easier by Becky Jacobs, Salt Lake Tribune

Utah's Certified Advocates Partners Program Made Possible by Regulatory Sandbox by Maddie Hosack, IAALS