purpose

The purpose of Child’s Place is:

To listen to children’s experiences in a neutral conversation using a developmentally sensitive and legally sound manner regarding allegations of abuse and exposure to violence;
To facilitate and coordinate a multidisciplinary team response to child abuse;
To help victims and their families access necessary services, while developing resiliency through continued individualized support; and
To develop and manage resources and programming to meet the needs of the community for prevention, education and trauma-informed responses.

what we do

Forensic Interviews

Safe and Strong Child

Forensic Interviews

A forensic interview is neutral, child-led, semi-structured conversation with children who have experienced or witnessed abuse. A trained forensic interviewer conducts the interviews following a nationally approved interview protocol through a series of non-leading and developmentally appropriate questions. The interviews are done in a private interview room with only the interviewer and child present. During the interview caregivers have the opportunity to meet with the advocate to discuss any concerns and identify the next steps.

Advocacy

Safe and Strong Child

Forensic Interviews

Child’s Place provides victim advocacy services to victims of crime as well as caregivers. Services are provided by a trained child advocate and may include, but are not limited to, assistance with victim reparations, orders for protection/harassment restraining orders, assisting the family obtain the appropriate services for healing, act as a liaison between investigative agencies and other service providers and crisis intervention services.

Safe and Strong Child

The Safe and Strong Child© Program, originally designed for the classroom, consists of cognitively appropriate classroom lessons that are taught interactively through stories, group work, role play and song. Children are taught to identify the difference between safe and unsafe touch. Children learn how to set and honor personal body boundaries. Through the Safe and Strong curriculum children learn that it is never a child’s fault if they get a touch that is unsafe.

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