National recognition for SAPCC

The Child Advocacy Center at Springfield Area Parent Child Center has been awarded sn associate membership with the National Children’s Alliance.

In 2009, Springfield Area Parent Child Center and a team of collaborators laid the groundwork for the community discussions that in turn led to the development of a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) at the Parent Child Center. In September of 2010, the CAC officially opened its doors as a developing member and, just a little over two years later, has been awarded Associate member status with the National Children’s Alliance. We are proud of the teamwork and collaboration with all of the members of the multi-disciplinary team as well as that of our CAC coordinator and Executive Director. Associate Membership is the final step before becoming a fully accredited member of the NCA, and we are already working towards achieving all standards required for national recognition. Many thanks to our partners, past and present on the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) that have helped make this possible: Springfield, Chester, Ludlow, Windsor, and Weathersfield Police Departments, Vermont State Police, Springfield DCF, WISE, HCRS, CAPP at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, Mt. Ascutney and Springfield Hospitals, Springfield Area Probation and Parole/DOC (Springfield), Windsor County State’s Attorney, and The Family Place. The Child Advocacy Center at SAPCC is designed to meet the unique needs of child victims of physical and sexual abuse. It works to prevent further victimization of children by working collaboratively with child protection services, law enforcement, mental health, victim advocates and the medical community. Some of the services provided are as follows: A Team approach to investigation, treating and prosecuting child sexual abuse. The CAC provides a child-friendly interview location for child to meet with law enforcement and child protective services to record and observe interviews conducted by a fully trained, independent interviewer. Case management to assist families in obtaining counseling and support services as well as education for children and families about healthy sexual development and safety. This professional multi-team approach to reports of sexual and physical abuse, facilitated by our CAC coordinator to ensure that protocol, as well as the human/family element in these challenging cases are maintained, is what makes a CAC Center’s resolution rates successful. For more information about the Child Advocacy Center at Springfield Area Parent Child Center, please visit our website at www.sapcc-vt.org [1]. You can also call us directly at 802-886-5242 x237 with any questions. You can also come and take a tour of our facility and learn more about all of the services that SAPCC provides to the communities of North Windham and South Windsor counties at our Taste of WINter Bazaar on February 23, 2013 from 12-3 p.m. The Center is located at 6 Main Street in North Springfield. Live Music will be provided by the Springfield Stringers in the Café/Conference Room, as well as Paul Ippolito conducting a children’s sing-a-long in Karen’s Room. Other activities include Face Painting with Cathy Ann, a Parent/Child Scavenger Hunt, Winter Art activities with Betsy Owen and Melissa Post, Door Prizes and several community businesses will be on hand for a Community Family Event that you won’t want to miss. Child Advocacy Center at SAPCC Awarded Associate Membership with the National Children’s Alliance Submitted by VT Journal on Tue, 02/19/2013 - 2:53pm By Jan Zona Administrative Manager SAPCC SPRINGFIELD, VT -