CARE program protects children with dignity, privacy, comfort

1
CARE program protects children with dignity,
privacy, comfort

• Oakland Countys 10,000 cases of child abuse are
  reviewed and referred to this nonprofit group by
  police or the Michigan Family Independence Agency

2
The CARE House is a nondescript building with
skilled staff. Children can feel safe going to
the house for help.

• The CARE house has a doorbell for visitors
• A Beach Room with palm trees
• Brightly colored rooms
• Safe environment

3
Mission of the CARE House

• To be an advocate for the safety of all children
  and to be the leading resource in the prevention
  of child abuse and the protection of children
  through education, intervention, treatment and
  research, in collaboration with the community.

4
The child advocacy center is run by the Child
Abuse and Neglect council of Oakland County

• A non profit group
• No formal legal or financial relationship to
  Oakland County
• Protects childrens rights when they were taken
  away!

5
The CARE House has many important functions to
help children through this rough time

• Multidisciplinary investigative teams for
  children to relate details of sexual and physical
  abuse in a non-threatening setting
• Therapy for assaulted children

• Crisis intervention assistance to provide victims
  and families support services
• The DeRoy Foundation Family Support Group for
  victims and families to deal with trauma,
  healing, and legal aspects of assault cases

6
More opportunities for recovery

• Court Orientation Program to provide and
  introduction to the court process for child
  victims and their families
• Advocacy for child victims during court
  proceedings

• Preventing Abuse and Protecting Oakland County's
  Children
• Child Abuse and Neglect reporting procedure
  training
• Collaboration with community groups serving
  children.

7
CARE House works hard to sort out truth and
protect children who tell their stories

• Children talk in rooms professionally designed to
  be comfortable and inviting.
• The Beach Room, for young children even has a
  mock sand beach.
• There are crayons, an easel. Toys and books on
  shelves

8
Quotes on the CARE House

• We are very lucky to have it, because not every
  county has a child advocacy center, says Deborah
  Carley, Oakland Countys Chief deputy Prosecutor.
• In a perfect world, the child only has to tell
  his or her story one time, says Pat Rosen, the
  organizations executive director.

9
Facts about child abuse at the CARE House

• Over 700 children will tell personal stories
  about physical or sexual abuse at the CARE house
  this year.
• Not all are true
• Not many are eventually prosecuted.
• Every year, the caseload gets heavier, but not
  necessarily because the problem is getting worse.

10
Child Abuse is becoming more known

• Child abuse is being reported more often
• Schools and doctors are legally required to
  report child abuse
• More cases are being brought to media

11
CARE House Presentation Credits

• Presented by Kimberly Brus
• Article http//www.detnews.com/2003/metro/0311/18
  /b01-328507.htm
• Information also from http//www.carehouse.org