Childrens Center

THE MISSION OF CHILDRENS CENTER IS TO SUPPORT AND MEDICALLY ASSESS CHILDREN WHO ARE SUSPECTED VICTIMS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

FORENSIC EVALUATIONSTO DETERMINE AND DOCUMENT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF A CHILD SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED, THE CENTER PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS. HEAD-TO- TOE PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS ARE CONDUCTED BY EXAMINERS SPECIFICALLY TRAINED IN DIAGNOSING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDES SPECIALIZED SCREENING FOR CHILDREN ENDANGERED BY EXPOSURE TO DRUG USE, DISTRIBUTION, OR MANUFACTURING. EXAMINERS USE THEIR FINDINGS TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, CHILD PROTECTIVE WORKERS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS, ALL WITH THE GOAL OF ENSURING THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHILD.INTERVIEWS WITH A CHILD SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED ARE CONDUCTED BY INTERVIEWERS SPECIALLY TRAINED TO TALK TO CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND DEVELOPMENTAL LEVELS. THE INTERVIEWS ARE DESIGNED TO ALLOW CHILDREN TO DESCRIBE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THEIR OWN WORDS IN A NEUTRAL, CHILD-FOCUSED, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED SETTING. INTERVIEWERS WORK WITH EXAMINERS AS PART OF THE ASSESSMENT TEAM, ENSURING THAT A COMPLETE PICTURE OF THE CHILD'S ABUSE IS PROPERLY DOCUMENTED. INTERVIEWS ARE OBSERVED AND RECORDED. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS HAVE ACCESS TO INTERVIEW CONTENT, WHICH PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DETERMINING AN APPROPRIATE COURSE OF ACTION TO PROTECT AND TREAT THE CHILD. INFORMATION GLEANED FROM THE FORENSIC INTERVIEW CAN ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BRINGING PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE.THE CENTER'S FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM PROVIDES TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND CAREGIVERS STRUGGLING WITH ISSUES OF ABUSE, NEGLECT OR WITNESS TO VIOLENCE. FAMILY SUPPORT IS VITAL TO THE SECURITY, SAFETY, AND RECOVERY OF BOTH THE CHILD AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. ASSISTANCE INCLUDES CONSULTATIONS, MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS, AND CONNECTIONS TO OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

THERAPYIN LATE 2018, THE CENTER BEGAN A THERAPY PROGRAM. PRIOR TO ITS LAUNCH, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WOULD OFTEN ENDURE LONG WAITS FOR A THERAPY APPOINTMENT ELSEWHERE. NOW, AFTER A MEDICAL ASSESSMENT AT THE CENTER, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MAY CONTINUE THEIR HEALING PROCESS BY TAKING PART IN THE THERAPY PROGRAM. THE TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY(TF-CBT) MODEL IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT DESIGNED TO HELP KIDS OVERCOME THE EFFECTS OF A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, TF-CBT SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVES MANY EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED WITH TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES.THE CENTER IS ALSO A LEAD PARTNER IN HEALTHY BOUNDARIES AND BEHAVIORS (A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIORS) WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE MDT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, EDUCATION, RESOURCES, AND INTERVENTION TO CHILDREN ELEVEN YEARS AND YOUNGER WHO DEMONSTRATE SEXUALLY INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. THE CENTER CONTACTS FAMILIES IN THESE CASES WITH A GOAL OF ADDRESSING BEHAVIORS BEFORE THEY ESCALATE TO A POINT THAT NECESSITATES JUVENILE JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT.

OUTREACH AND PREVENTIONTHE CENTER HAS A STRATEGIC GOAL TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE BY ENGAGING AND EQUIPPING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ABUSE, EMPOWERING THEM TO PROPERLY ADVOCATE FOR AND PROTECT CHILDREN. BROAD-BASED COMMUNITY AWARENESS INITIATIVES, NETWORK AND PARTNERSHIP BUILDING, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION AND TRAINING ARE ESSENTIAL TO THESE EFFORTS. THE WORK WITH PARTNERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, CHILD WELFARE AND CHILD-SERVING-AGENCIES, AND THE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY MEANS THAT THE CENTERS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION INITIATIVES REACH EVERY CORNER OF CLACKAMAS COUNTY. TARGETED OUTREACH EFFORTS TO INDIVIDUALS FROM BUSINESS, CIVIC AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS ONLY ADD TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BECOMING CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION ACTIVISTS.BECAUSE SO MANY EVALUATIONS INVOLVE A CHILD WHO HAS BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED, THE CENTER HAS MADE THIS ISSUE A HIGH PREVENTION PRIORITY. UTILIZING DARKNESS TO LIGHT'S NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED CURRICULUM STEWARDS OF CHILDREN, THE CENTER CONDUCTS COMMUNITY-BASED TRAININGS TO IMPROVE AWARENESS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND ENABLE ADULTS TO BE RESPONSIVETO THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THIS PREVALENT FORM OF CHILD MALTREATMENT.