Services for Families
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Foothills Child Advocacy Center provides:
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We are here to help children and families in crisis.
When a child may be a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, the child and family are facing a difficult time. Most often, the alleged offender is a family member, and the non-offending family members must find the strength to support their child through the investigation. When the alleged offender is not a family member, the family must still come together to support the child and to ensure the child's safety.
When a child may be a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, the child and family are facing a difficult time. Most often, the alleged offender is a family member, and the non-offending family members must find the strength to support their child through the investigation. When the alleged offender is not a family member, the family must still come together to support the child and to ensure the child's safety.
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What Happens Next?
When a report of child physical abuse, sexual abuse, or other type of abuse is reported to Law Enforcement or the Child Protective Services, a forensic interview with the child is scheduled. The child is interviewed at Foothills by a professional who is specially trained in child forensic interviewing. The non-offending caregivers receive crisis intervention and referrals for ongoing services that support the child or family. A forensic medical evaluation for the child may take place at the same time as the forensic interview or may be scheduled for another day. Mental health services are available through our mental health clinician. |
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Forensic Interviews
A forensic interview with the alleged child victim is the first step in a child maltreatment investigation. A forensic interview is a process where a child is given the opportunity to talk about what happened in a safe, supportive environment. The child is questioned in a legally-sound, developmentally appropriate manner by a trained professional. Members of the multi-disciplinary team that have jurisdiction over the case observe the interview as it is taking place. Interviews are digitally recorded, reducing the number of times children need to be interviewed, which reduces trauma for the child. Most children only need to be interviewed once. Information gathered in the forensic interview is used to help make decisions about protection, prosecution, and treatment. |
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Forensic Medical Evaluations
A forensic medical evaluation is an important part of promoting healing and helps to reassure victims and parents about the child’s physical well-being. Foothills' forensically trained medical director provides forensic medical evaluations for children who are victims of sexual or physical abuse on site at Foothill's child-friendly facility. Children may also receive evaluations at the University of Virginia (UVA) Safe Clinic on the sixth floor of the Battle Building, and emergency cases are seen at the UVA Emergency Department by forensically trained medical providers. |
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Family Support Services
Foothills' Family Advocate works one on one with the non-offending caregivers who come to the center to implement a safety plan and to help them create a healing environment for their children. The coordinator provides crisis intervention, conducts risk and need assessments and trauma screenings, and provides mental health services and other needed referrals. She supports them through the investigative and treatment process. |
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Mental Health Services
Our Mental Health Clinician provides trauma-informed, counseling to children and caregivers to help the family heal and recover. The clinician currently offers Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), coping skills and strategies sessions, parenting through trauma skills sessions, and adjustment counseling. Mental health services are available on site. |
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Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Coordination
We serve nine jurisdictions: Albemarle, Buckingham, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, and Orange. We coordinate a team of professionals within each county, dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators and to the support and treatment of child victims and their non-offending caretakers. The MDT meets monthly to communicate and collaborate on child maltreatment cases. Cases are reviewed beginning with the victim’s initial outcry through investigation, treatment and prosecution. Communication within the team reduces duplication and keeps victims from falling through the cracks. Foothills also participates in the Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Madison, and Nelson County MDTs. Charlottesville and Albemarle MDT Partners
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