Christians In Action Inc

TO PROVIDE SHELTER AND SERVICES TO ABUSED/NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND EDUCATION TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE.

CHRISTIANS IN ACTION, INC. OPERATES AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AGES BIRTH THROUGH SEVENTEEN. LOCATED IN HINDS COUNTY, A COUNTY WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST INCIDENCES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN THE STATE, THE SHELTER SERVES CHILDREN FROM ALL MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES WHEN SPACE IS AVAILABLE. THE SHELTER IS LICENSED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES AND CHILDREN ENTER THE SHELTER BY COURT ORDER. IT WAS THE FIRST SHELTER IN THE STATE TO OPEN, IN 1977, AND IS ONE OF SIX SHELTERS STATEWIDE SERVING THIS AGE GROUP AND POPULATION. THE AGENCY SERVES MORE CHILDREN EACH YEAR THAN ANY OTHER SHELTER. ALTHOUGH THE STAY IS INTENDED TO BE LIMITED TO 45 DAYS WHILE THE STATE FINDS A FOSTER HOME OR RELATIVE PLACEMENT, THE STAY CAN BE EXTENDED TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL TIME TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATE DECISION FOR PERMANENCY.IN 2023, THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDED SERVICES FOR 76 CHILDREN. THE NUMBER OF UNITS OF SERVICE WERE 2,748 (ONE CHILD SPENDING ONE NIGHT = ONE UNIT OF SERVICE). TWENTY-ONE CHILDREN HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED, 17 HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSED, AND 48 NEGLECTED. TEN OF THE 76 CHILDREN HAD EXPERIENCED MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF ABUSE. THIRTY WERE MALES AND 46 WERE FEMALES. SEVENTEEN WERE EITHER PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDED FOOD, CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION, AND SUPERVISION. LOCAL CHILDREN ARE TRANSPORTED TO SCHOOLS WHERE THEY ARE ENROLLED. THE AGENCY PROVIDED VIRTUAL EDUCATION FOR THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH LAPTOPS AND VIRTUAL LEARNING CENTERS WITH EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FROM SHELTER STAFF AS NEEDED. RECREATIONAL OUTINGS INCLUDED DINING OUT, MOVIES, PARKS, SKATING, AND BOWLING. THIRTY-SEVEN CHILDREN RECEIVED PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS AND 68 RECEIVED A COMPLETE MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VISION ASSESSMENT.THE AGENCY HAD TWO INTERNS DURING THE YEAR, AND A PSYCHOLOGIST CONTINUES TO DONATE THREE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS EACH MONTH FOR CHILDREN WHOSE MEDICAID IS NOT YET EFFECTIVE. THESE SERVICES CAN BE USED AS IN-KIND MATCH FOR GRANTS, AS OPPOSED TO PROVIDING A CASH MATCH.THE AGENCY EMPLOYS A FULL-TIME THERAPIST, SOCIAL WORKER, AND A VICTIM SERVICES COORDINATOR TO WORK WITH THE CHILDREN IN ASSURING THAT ALL NEEDED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WHILE THE CHILD IS IN SHELTER CARE. IF THE CHILD WAS REMOVED FROM THE HOME DUE TO NEGLECT OR PHYSICAL ABUSE AND CONFIDES IN THE THERAPIST THAT THERE WAS ALSO SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVED, THE THERAPIST MAKES A REPORT TO THE STATE HOTLINE, AND AN INVESTIGATION ENSUES. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ARREST OF THE PERPETRATOR AND ENSURE THAT HE/SHE NO LONGER HAS ACCESS TO THE CHILD. THE AGENCY THERAPIST IS CERTIFIED AS A HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDER, DUE TO THE INCREASED NUMBER OF SEX TRAFFICKED VICTIMS SERVED BY THE AGENCY.THE AGENCY HAS NOW RESUMED ON-SITE FAMILY VISITATION, ALTHOUGH WE CONTINUE TO UTILIZE TELEPHONE CALLS AND FACETIME, AS ALTERNATE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. ON-SITE VISITATION HAD BEEN PAUSED DURING THE MOST ACTIVE COVID PERIODS. CHILD PROTECTION SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ALLOWED TO VISIT AS NEEDED AND ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH STAFF REGARDING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN CARE.THE CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER IS CURRENTLY ONE OF ELEVEN CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS IN THE STATE AND SERVES HINDS COUNTY. THE AGENCY PROVIDES FORENSIC INTERVIEWS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUFFERED SEXUAL ABUSE, FELONY CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE, OR FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WITNESSED A VIOLENT CRIME. OUR STAFF PROVIDE FAMILY ADVOCACY, ASSISTANCE WITH FILING VICTIM COMPENSATION FORMS, AND MAY BE CALLED TO TESTIFY IN COURT. PARTNERSHIPS FORMED WITH OTHER AGENCIES PROVIDE THERAPY AND FORENSIC MEDICALS FOR THE CHILD. THESE SERVICES HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE HOPE AND HEALING WHILE STAFF AND PARTNERS GUIDE THEM THROUGH THE COURT PROCESS AND PROSECUTION OF THE PERPETRATOR.THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM HAS THREE FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS, TWO FAMILY ADVOCATES, AND A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM FACILITATOR WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO FAMILIES. THE FIRST ON-SITE FORENSIC INTERVIEWS TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY OF 2021 AND, AS OF DECEMBER 2023, THE AGENCY HAD COMPLETED 935 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS AND PROVIDED ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT TO CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. CHILDREN WHO NEED A FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION ARE REFERRED TO THE SAFE CENTER AT UMMC. CHILDREN REQUIRING ON-GOING THERAPY ARE REFERRED TO PARTNER AGENCIES ESTABLISHED THROUGH MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING. COPIES OF THE RECORDED INTERVIEW AND ALL INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PROSECUTION IS TURNED OVER TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES. MANY OF THE INTERVIEWS TURNED OVER FOR PROSECUTION ARE NOW BEFORE THE COURTS, AND THE FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS, TRAINED IN COURT TESTIMONY, ARE CALLED TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD. STAFF ARE ON CALL FOR EMERGENCY INTERVIEWS, PARTICULARLY FOR TRAFFICKED YOUTH WHO NEED AN IMMEDIATE INTERVIEW SO LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN ACT.SIGNED PARTNERSHIPS ARE IN PLACE, WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HINDS COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE SAFE CENTER, YOUTH COURT, CANOPY SOLUTIONS, SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN SERVICES, AND HINDS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. THESE PARTNERSHIPS FORM A COALITION WHO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE ADVOCACY CENTER'S MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM. THESE TEAM MEMBERS OBSERVE INTERVIEWS LIVE FROM ANOTHER BUILDING AS THEY OCCUR, MEET MONTHLY WITH OUR STAFF FOR CASE REVIEW, AND HELP MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING DISPOSITION OF THE CASE. THE MOU'S WERE UPDATED IN 2023. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN NEEDING THERAPY WHO ARE BEING REFERRED TO MOU PARTNERS, PLANS ARE TO HIRE A THERAPIST SPECIFIC TO THE CAC PROGRAM IN 2024.THE AGENCY COMPLETED RENOVATIONS OF A BUILDING ACQUIRED THROUGH A LEASE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND RELOCATED THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER FROM ITS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES INTO THE NEW BUILDING ON APRIL 30, 2022. THE AGENCY HAS ALSO PURCHASED THE BUILDING ADJACENT TO THIS PROPERTY THAT WILL FURTHER EXPAND THE OPERATION OF THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM. THE BUILDING NOW HAS A NEW ROOF AND HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM THROUGH GRANT PROCEEDS, AND PLANS ARE TO COMPLETE RENOVATIONS ON THIS PROPERTY IN 2024.CHRISTIANS IN ACTION, INC. WILL CELEBRATE ITS FIFTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN 2024, HAVING OPERATED GROUP HOMES FROM 1974 THROUGH 1983, THE EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR CHILDREN FROM 1977 TO PRESENT, A YOUTH COURT RUNAWAY PROGRAM, AND THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER SINCE 2021.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK FUNDING IN 2024 TO PROVIDE OPERATING RESOURCES FOR THE EMERGENCY SHELTER, RUNAWAY PROGRAM AND THE ADVOCACY CENTER, AND IS AN APPROVED MEDICAID PROVIDER.