About KIDS Center
OUR MISSION:
We lead our region’s response to child abuse.
KIDS Center was founded more than 25 years ago to improve services and outcomes for children and families impacted by abuse. KIDS Center is a nationally-accredited Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and the only CAC operating in Central Oregon. We provide comprehensive child abuse evaluations that include a head-to-toe medical exam, child-friendly forensic interview, family advocacy, and mental health services to children and families impacted by abuse. All of our services are free to every family who needs them.
KIDS Center provides trainings to multi-disciplinary partners in six Central Oregon counties. We also provide free prevention programs to help teach adults in our community how to better protect children from abuse. Since our founding, KIDS Center has trained more than 15,000 adults.
Children are referred for a KIDS Center evaluation by one of four community partners including law enforcement, DHS Child Welfare, medical providers, and licensed mental health professionals. Children and families can engage in KIDS Center advocacy and mental health services without participating in an evaluation. All of KIDS Center services are provided at no cost.
Our Direct Services
Forensic Interviews
Our forensic interview process is child-friendly and tailored to each child’s developmental age and cognitive, social, and emotional abilities. We put kids at ease and allow them to share their experiences in an understanding, non-judgmental environment. All questions are non-leading, and we let each child know that they can stop the interview at any time. Interviews are observed by KIDS Center evaluation staff and community partners involved in the case. This helps reduce additional trauma by minimizing the number of times children have to tell their stories. Interviews are audio and video recorded to preserve crucial information should the child’s case go to trial.
Medical Exams
KIDS Center medical evaluations are child-oriented and we work to make the child feel as comfortable as possible. Much like the forensic interview, the child has choices throughout the process and is reassured that no part of the exam is painful. The physical examination is accompanied by a medical interview, during which the child is asked questions about every part of their body. Medical examiners can address any concerns a child may have about their bodies as a result of the abuse in a caring and gentle manner. Our medical examiners are experienced health care providers who are also able to address general health and developmental concerns as part of the examination. We document any concerning injuries as part of the head-to-toe examination.
Family Advocacy
Child abuse can cause disruption to the entire family, including changes to previously secure resources and supports. Family advocates provide education and support in connecting families with community resources. They maintain strong relationships with community agencies to ensure families have access to comprehensive resources to address basic needs and resources including, shelter, food, and opportunities for community engagement. Our family advocate team provides emotional support and collaborates with our therapy team to connect families to mental health services.
Child & Family Therapy
When a child is abused, it can affect the entire family. Therapy is a valuable tool for children and their families following abuse. KIDS Center’s onsite therapy team supports healing from the trauma of abuse. Our evidence-based therapy services are tailored to meet individual needs and address symptoms, behaviors and concerns while building resiliency.
We strongly believe that working within the family system to facilitate support and continued care is essential to a child’s healing. We work with each family to build attachments and nurture home environments while supporting individual and family strengths.
Our therapy approaches include: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
Child Abuse Prevention
KIDS Center has trained more than 15,000 adults in child abuse prevention.
KIDS Center’s Prevention Program supports the community in efforts to prevent child abuse. Through education, training, media campaigns, and events, we work to empower individuals and create a society where no child is abused. We provide educational materials for parents and caregivers, youth, community members and agencies, and schools. We offer resources specific to body boundaries, child development, and Internet safety. KIDS Center offers a variety of free child safety trainings in English and Spanish to adults across Central Oregon.