BRAVEHEART CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENTER

Description

Braveheart is a child-focused model that coordinates the investigation and treatment services for children involved in allegations of sexual or serious physical abuse. Our office serves as the heart of the MDT’s initial response to child abuse. Prior to Braveheart kids had to endure multiple interviews with many different people, often re-traumatizing the child they are seeking to assist. Braveheart ensures that the child only has to be interviewed one time, by one person, in a safe child friendly place. The Braveheart staff member who interviews the child is specially trained to conduct a neutral fact finding forensic interview.

After the initial interview, Braveheart continues to support the child and family as well as coordinate MDT efforts. Monthly case review meetings are held to discuss the progress, barriers and next steps of each child’s case to ensure cases do not fall through the cracks. We help connect children and families to needed resources, pay for specialized therapy and medical services for kids, and offer community education presentations on child abuse and prevention. We provide all of our services free of charge to children and their families.

Children of every gender, age, race, ethnicity, background, socioeconomic status and family structure are at risk. No child is immune. On average we see around 150 children a year.