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Mental Health treatment following a traumatic event can mean the difference between effectively coping and simply “avoiding” negative thoughts and feelings. Avoidance is a common strategy in dealing with negative events and may seem quite useful in the short-term. Unfortunately, the long-term consequences of merely “avoiding” often include increased anxiety, depression and other Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms. Catawba County CAC offers on-site mental health services to children and their families that have been served at the CAC. The focus of treatment is to provide education regarding abuse/traumatic events and potential traumatic symptoms; improve coping strategies for managing negative thoughts and feelings; actively process the traumatic event and address personal safety issues. Parents/caregivers and children learn the same skills so that parents can support and reinforce their children’s use of skills outside of therapy. Enhancing parenting skills and improving communication within the family are also goals of treatment. It is important that parents learn to manage their own thoughts and feelings regarding the abuse in order to support their children’s healing.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidenced-based treatment approach that is used with clients with significant behavioral or emotional symptoms following a traumatic event. Treatment goals are developed following an initial assessment of needs and discussion of needs/concerns with both the child and their parent/caregiver.
Our hope in providing mental health treatment is that children can regain power through gaining knowledge and specific skills to manage the potential consequences of traumatic events. Our belief is that with appropriate treatment, abuse/traumatic events can be a wound that heals without significant ongoing negative impact to the child or family.
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Take advantage of a GREAT opportunity! Darkness to Light's Stewards of Children Free Sexual Abuse Prevention Training Stewards of Children is a comprehensive sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The Stewards of Children program is designed for organizations that serve children and adolescents, providing prevention training for staff, volunteers, parents, and other interested adults. Upcoming Training Sessions in Catawba County Saturday, March 27, 2010 Location: Children’s Advocacy Center of Catawba County 1007 First Avenue South, Conover, NC 28613 Time: 9:00-11:30 am PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To sign up for a training, please contact Adrienne Opdyke at: 828-465-7665 Childcare and light refreshments will be provided. You can also call Adrienne if you would like to set up a training for your church, school, or other group. For more information about the Darkness to Light prevention program, click here. |
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The child advocacy center model is based on a multidisciplinary approach to handling sexual and/or serious child abuse cases. Central to our work is the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), which is made up of investigators from local Law Enforcement agencies in Catawba County, the DA’s office, Social Services, mental health & medical providers, a victim’s advocate, a sex offender treatment worker, and adult probations. This group of professionals works together, bringing their expertise to the CAC.
The MDT meets twice a month to review the status of each case, needs of the child victims and non-offending family members, and the progress toward prosecution of the offenders. Members of the MDT are all specially trained in their respective fields.
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One of the essential services we provide is the coordination of forensic interviews, which are conducted by law enforcement officials and social workers who are specially trained to investigate child sexual abuse. This special training teaches the investigators how to use non-leading methods of determining what has happened to the child. The investigators also know how to communicate with children of different ages and ensure that they are as comfortable as possible. These interviews are recorded on DVD and observed in a separate room by partner investigators. This approach serves to decrease the trauma to the victim by reducing the need for multiple interviews, which would require the child to relive the experience repeatedly. |
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In addition to forensic interviews, the CAC also provides onsite forensic child medical exams. For more detailed information about forensic medical exams, click here to download the Parent Information Sheet. |
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The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Catawba County has a full-time Victim Advocate on staff who works directly with the families who come to the CAC for services. The Victim Advocate works to reduce trauma and stress to families throughout the CAC process. When the interview with the child victim is taking place, our Victim Advocate uses this time to get to know the parent/guardian to assess the overall needs of the family. The Victim Advocate assists the child and family through the investigation process as well as the court process, providing emotional support and assisting with counseling referrals. Encouraging and referring child victims and non-offending family members to follow through with appropriate counseling services is an integral part of our Victim Advocate’s job. Throughout the duration of each case, our Victim Advocate stays in touch with the child and non-offending family members, assessing each family’s needs, and keeping them informed of all aspects of their case, including perpetrator status, court dates, etc. Some families need support beyond the court process; in these situations, our Victim Advocate offers referrals for long-term services that are needed. |
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The CAC offers an educational group that provides parents/caretakers the opportunity to: • Meet together to gain information and understanding of the affects of child sexual abuse.
• Learn how to recognize the signs of abuse.
• Learn how to protect your children.
• Give and receive support from others with similar experiences.
• Share concerns and triumphs. The NOP group is open to all caregivers of children who have been abused. The group meets every Thursday evening for 10 weeks, for about an hour and a half. There is no cost to participants, and childcare, meals, and gas vouchers are provided. For more information or to sign up for the next group, call the CAC at (828) 465-9296. |
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Stewards of Children
Adults Resolving Child Sexual Abuse in Community
Darkness to Light’s® Stewards of Children is a revolutionary sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program believes and teaches that child safety is an adult's job. Stewards of Children is designed for organizations that serve children and youth.
A comprehensive program Includes the “7 Steps to Protecting our Children,” Darkness to Light’s core, evidence-based educational tool for sexual abuse prevention.
2.5-hour training program that includes a video component integrates personal stories of sexual abuse survivors, sharing their experiences of trauma and healing
The program is motivational and compelling. It calls participants into personal responsibility for the safety of children, while at the same time appreciates their fears and concerns.
How can it be used?
By organizations that seek training for staff and volunteers in the prevention of child sexual abuse.
By organizations that need to respond to insurance requirements regarding child protection. We have 7 trained facilitators in Catawba County. Call Adrienne at (828)465-7665 for more information about setting up a training, or visit the Darkness to Light website for more information about this program in general. |
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Services
