NCJ Number
189984
Journal
Children's Voice Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 16-17,36,37
Date Published
July 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center in Plano, Texas.
Abstract
Advocacy centers help reduce the trauma to child victims of maltreatment and abuse by reducing the number of interviews and examinations a child must endure and by offering comprehensive services, including counseling, in a child-friendly environment. Plano Police Chief Bruce Glasscock was one of the initial supporters of the center and is using his current position as President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police to promote the advocacy center concept. The center employs the police, Child Protective Service workers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the district attorney, medical people, and trained forensic interviewers working as a team in case management meetings. The article discusses how child welfare organizations can improve their working relationships with their local police departments or start the process of forming an advocacy center. It also describes training for advocacy center personnel; developing programs to keep youngsters safe and out of trouble after school and before working parents get home; and developing programs to counter the effects of drugs and alcohol on families.