BACKGROUND:
Since 1996 the Children's Interview Center (Center) has worked in partnership with law enforcement, the District Attorney's Office, Employment and Human Services Children and Family Services Bureau, County Mental Health, police department, and other community agencies as part of a County wide multidisciplinary team working collaboratively, to respond primarily to allegations of child sexual abuse, but also to allegations of child physical abuse or witnesses to other traumatic events. The Center provides forensic interviews and exams for child victims of sexual assault. The Center provides skilled interviewers in a child friendly setting to decrease the child's trauma by minimizing the number of interviews required of child victims. Standardized evidence collection processes that increase the number of cases prosecuted have been implemented at the Center. This funding will allow the Center to maintain services to child victims of sexual abuse.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without funding the Children's interview Center aervices and staffing could be impacted.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The funding supports three of the community impact outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5) "Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families"; by immediately addressing the needs of children abused or at risk of abuse.