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The Guadalupe County Children's Advocacy Center opened in
September 2003 to serve the the most vulnerable in our
community--children who have been sexually or physically abused.
We have four distinct roles in meeting our mission:
1. Forensic interviews
We conduct videotaped, forensic interviews of children who have
been abused. These interviews are monitored in real time by
investigators from law enforcement, Child Protective Services, and
prosecutors, thereby eliminating the need for traumatic multiple
interviews.
2. Coordinate investigations
We hold monthly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings with our
partner agencies to review all active abuse cases throughout the
county. These meetings increase communication and help to avoid
cases "falling through the cracks."
3. CARE Team
The CARE Team is comprised of specially trained volunteers who
accompany child sexual assault victims and their families to
Guadalupe Valley Hospital. The CARE Team members are available
to answer questions and assist with victim compensation questions
and forms. Most importantly, though, CARE Team members are
friendly, caring and compassionate people who work to help
victims and their families through a very difficult time. These
volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and report to
the hospital within one hour, as needed.
4. Victim assistance and referrals
The Advocacy Center provides victim advocacy services as well as
referrals for counseling and therapy. The hope is that we can end
the cycle of abuse--even one child at a time.
5. Community education
Speakers from the Advocacy Center are available to talk to groups
about the scourge of abuse in our community. The better
information a community has about child abuse, the better
equipped it is to fight abuse.
Our clients are referred to the Guadalupe County Children's Advocacy
Center by law enforcement or Child Protective Services.
TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, PLEASE
CALL THE CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE AT 1-800-252-5400.
September 2003 to serve the the most vulnerable in our
community--children who have been sexually or physically abused.
We have four distinct roles in meeting our mission:
1. Forensic interviews
We conduct videotaped, forensic interviews of children who have
been abused. These interviews are monitored in real time by
investigators from law enforcement, Child Protective Services, and
prosecutors, thereby eliminating the need for traumatic multiple
interviews.
2. Coordinate investigations
We hold monthly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings with our
partner agencies to review all active abuse cases throughout the
county. These meetings increase communication and help to avoid
cases "falling through the cracks."
3. CARE Team
The CARE Team is comprised of specially trained volunteers who
accompany child sexual assault victims and their families to
Guadalupe Valley Hospital. The CARE Team members are available
to answer questions and assist with victim compensation questions
and forms. Most importantly, though, CARE Team members are
friendly, caring and compassionate people who work to help
victims and their families through a very difficult time. These
volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and report to
the hospital within one hour, as needed.
4. Victim assistance and referrals
The Advocacy Center provides victim advocacy services as well as
referrals for counseling and therapy. The hope is that we can end
the cycle of abuse--even one child at a time.
5. Community education
Speakers from the Advocacy Center are available to talk to groups
about the scourge of abuse in our community. The better
information a community has about child abuse, the better
equipped it is to fight abuse.
Our clients are referred to the Guadalupe County Children's Advocacy
Center by law enforcement or Child Protective Services.
TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, PLEASE
CALL THE CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE AT 1-800-252-5400.
