"Given the serious nature of management and performance issues identified at MSARC, I am pleased that this report gives us a roadmap in identifying how this agency can move forward and become a national model once again," stated Mayor Wharton. 'I applaud the efforts of all of those involved including members of the community who stepped forward in order to ensure that this region maintains valuable advocacy and outreach services for victims of sexual assault."

The MSARC transition team was charged with preparing a plan that evaluated and proposed recommendations for:

• Identification of the core services that should be provided by MSARC
• Assessment of the workload to be completed by the agency
• Identification of the type and number of staff necessary to do the work
• Evaluation of issues surrounding office space including the viability of co-location with other services
• Identification of funding streams and preparation of a budget necessary to accomplish the organizational mission

The operations plan - detailed in an 11-page report - describes the transition of MSARC to a County agency and provides recommendations for staffing, funding and infrastructure resolutions.  The report identifies core services that MSARC should provide to the community, projected workload for the agency, staffing qualifications, location of services and cost.  Furthermore, the report advocates for a name change to the Mid-South Sexual Assault Resource Center, a moniker more reflective of the agency's regional scope and outreach.