Family Advocacy

Child Protection Center provides important services for families and their caregivers – often the forgotten victims in child abuse cases.
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During each scheduled forensic interview a Family Advocate is assigned to meet with the victim child’s non-offending family and/or caregivers to provide victim support and advocacy services, as well as follow up services for families throughout the life of the investigation. 

Advocacy services include the following;

  • Crisis assessment and intervention, risk assessments, safety planning and support for children and family members.
  • Assessment of individual needs and cultural considerations for the child and family to ensure those needs are addressed.
  • Education regarding the process of disclosure and how children respond to trauma after experiencing abuse and witnessing violence.
  • Providing information and support regarding the investigative process, coordinated multidisciplinary team response and access to crime victim’s rights booklets as well as information regarding the crime victim’s compensation fund program and application.
  • Providing referrals for specialized medical treatment, trauma focused, evidence-supported mental health services, as well as grief and healing counseling centers.
  • Assistance in obtaining wrap around services and warm hand offs that include; filing orders of protection, referrals to domestic violence intervention programs, case management programs, food pantry’s, housing assistance programs, assistance with household utilities and other community resources.