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Safe place for children to be interviewed by law enforcement, case workers, or forensic interviewer once abuse has been disclosed. Provides referrals to mental health services and support groups, and follows the case through the legal system. Assists parents in reporting abuse or following up on reports already made. Provides medical exams for sexual assault of children.

Provides a child-friendly setting for investigation of child abuse cases, conducts victim interviews, provides referrals and advocacy, onsite examinations and support throughout the investigatory and judicial process.
Provides a child-friendly setting in which to offer objective forensic interviews and sensitive medical exams for alleged victims of child abuse.
Conducts interviews of those who have been a victim of abuse such as children, teens and vulnerable adults in a developmentally and culturally sensitive environment.
Provides a child-friendly setting for the multidisciplinary investigation of child abuse cases, conducts victim sensitive forensic interviews by specially trained staff, referrals for treatment services, advocacy and support throughout the investigatory and judicial processes and ensures comprehensive tracking of all data related to cases.
STAR Center (formerly know as Regional Child Protection Center) brings together a multi-disciplinary team of professionals in the investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases in Central Iowa. These services are offered in an easy-to-access, child-friendly location by individuals dedicated to putting the child's health, well-being and safety first.

Drug Endangered Children program (DEC) provides services for infants and children who have been exposed to drugs before birth (or through a parent's illicit drug use or manufacturing). DEC is dedicated to protecting Iowa's children through a multi-disciplinary collaboration of services. Early identification and intervention for children exposed to drugs is the emphasis, so they can live a healthier life.

Services

Child Advocacy Centers
Child Sexual Assault Prevention
Child Abuse Medical Evaluations
Sexual Assault Treatment
Works with law enforcement, child protective services, and states attorneys to coordinate investigations of child abuse allegations by providing forensic interviews of victims, advocacy, and referrals for counseling, medical exams, and any other services needed.
Serves as an advocate for child victims of sexual abuse. Coordinates efforts between law enforcement, judicial, medical and social service agencies. Conducts forensic interviews of children who have allegedly been sexually abused, physically abused or witnessed a violent crime. Also, provides victim advocacy services to client's families.
Child Advocacy Center providing forensic interviews, victim advocacy, training and education
Provides advocacy for child abuse issues including mental health referrals, training, case review, community awareness and education and more.
Provides a safe environment for forensic interviews and medical evaluations of a child victim, 18 years or under, who is alleged to have been a victim of child sexual abuse, serious physical abuse and neglect, witness to a violent crime, recovered from a kidnapping, or found in a drug endangered environment. Services accessed after hours via on-call coverage for law enforcement needing immediate assistance with a forensic interview of a child victim/witness.

Advocacy and support for the child victim and non-offending family members throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case, including Court School.

Training for community professionals on the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse and neglect cases.

Community education focused on identification and reporting of abuse, as well as Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children emphasizing our roles in understanding the facts and minimizing opportunities for child sexual abuse.

Services

Child Abuse Prevention
Child Sexual Assault Prevention
Child Advocacy Centers

Forensic interviews when requested by law enforcement or Child Protective Services. A child interview specialist will conduct a video-taped forensic interview with the child. One of the goals of this interview is to reduce the number of times the child must tell the story of his/her abuse.

Medical exams to evaluate children who are suspected to have been abused or neglected.

Assessment and referrals by mental health professionals, who assess each child's needs and refer them to the appropriate therapy, support groups, and other resources. Families also receive help in "understanding the system".

Multidisciplinary teams consisting of law enforcement, Child Protective Services, medical professionals, prosecution, school personnel, Project Harmony staff, and other professionals regularly review cases to make certain children do not fall through the cracks. Teams work toward making changes and finding solutions to any problems in reporting and investigating child abuse, permanency, treatment, and system issues.

Anyone can refer a case to the teams; call and include:

-- The child's name

-- Date of birth

-- School

-- Protective Service Worker's name

-- The reason for the referral

Training to professionals and volunteers.

Services

Child Abuse Prevention
Child Abuse Medical Evaluations
Child Advocacy Centers

Provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary response to child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse allegations in a neutral, child-focused setting.


Coordinates and tracks the investigations, medical treatment, counseling referrals, prosecution and training in order to protect the best interests of the child victims and their families.

Front-line responders to reports of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, sexual exploitation, child pornography, neglect, and exposure to violence of children. Helps clients navigate the system and provide one-on-one support, advocacy, and legal aid.

Provides a safe, non-threatening atmosphere where victims of alleged child sexual and physical abuse are interviewed by one person. Replaces the traditional system by which children endured numerous interviews by various agency professionals. The investigation team (made up of representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), State Attorney's Office, and local law enforcement), works in unison to take the case from allegation to investigation to prosecution.

Provides all children suspected of being physically abused, sexually abused, or neglected with timely expert medical evaluations and treatment, as well as serving the community as a resource for prevention, research, and education.

- MERIT case coordinator will receive requests for evaluation.
- The coordinator will arrange for second opinions from other CAC's or DCFS investigators.
- Medical personnel will collaborate with investigative providers to determine next steps.

Video taped forensic interviews of children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse and neglect or witnesses to violence.

Child advocacy.

Community education and outreach.

Services

Child Sexual Assault Prevention
Child Advocacy Centers
Child Abuse Prevention
Supports the multi-disciplinary team assessments of serious child abuse (sexual abuse and serious physical abuse) conducted by law enforcement and child protective services (Department of Human Services-DHS). Referrals are made by law enforcement and/or DHS for specialized services which include forensic interviews, medical evaluations, family advocacy, and case management services.
Provides coordinated services for children and families including finding a doctor, manage medications, advocacy, and answer questions.

Services

Child Advocacy Centers
Integrated Physical/Mental Health Services
Provides court advocacy and crisis intervention for child victims of abuse. Investigates child physical and sexual abuse allegations. Coordinates specialized medical examinations and assistance to local police departments. Also offers referrals to area agencies and/or private therapists for ongoing counseling needs.
Investigates and processes all cases of child sexual and severe physical abuse in the County and works with children who witness violent crimes.

Acts as a neutral third party to coordinate services and give support to children who have been abused and their non-offending family members. Services include referrals for medical treatment, trauma assessments, referrals for counseling and caregiver education through the Center for Counseling, in-person support during court proceedings, and community prevention and awareness presentations.

Coordinates the multi-disciplinary response to child sexual and/or serious physical abuse in a child friendly location.

Services include:
- Linkage to mental health resources
- Coordination with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) regarding the investigation and services provided
- Accompaniment to court hearings/trials, specialized medical appointments, or attendance in victim's place
- Linkage to any community resources available
- Court preparation for victim
- Child friendly facility and trained professional to conduct forensic interviews
- Help with Crime Victims Compensation forms
- Registration with Automated Victim Notification System

Services

Domestic Violence Intervention Programs
Child Advocacy Centers
Works with law enforcement, child protection services, physicians, state and county prosecutors, and other healthcare professionals who find themselves dealing with cases where questions of possible child abuse and neglect arise. Provides complete physical exams, forensic photographic documentation, in-depth psychosocial assessments of the child and family, medical record reviews, hair sampling collections for drug exposures in children and adults, urine drug screen facilitation, courtroom testimony, educational presentations, and referrals to child protection services, law enforcement, mental health services, and substance abuse services. Forensic interviewer and mental/behavioral family assistance available.
Interviews children, teens and vulnerable adults who report sexual or physical abuse or witness a crime. Non-emergency SAFE exams to child victims of sexual abuse provided. Child/victim advocacy provided by providing information regarding the court/criminal justice system and crisis counseling for the families served.