Childhelp USA Opens Children's Center in Fairfax

By Stephanie Tracy
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/27/02)

FAIRFAX — In the midst of the swirl of abuse allegations engulfing the American Catholic Church, a cooperative effort of local and national agencies is focussing attention on the problem of child abuse in the wider society.

Childhelp USA Children’s Center of Virginia celebrated its ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on June 4.

The center brings together under one roof the resources of Fairfax County Child Protective Services, Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board/Youth and Family Mental Health Services, the Fairfax County Police Child Services Unit, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Fairfax County Attorney and Childhelp USA/Virginia’s Abuse Prevention Team.

Together, local and professional authorities will provide on-site child abuse assessment, investigation and treatment services in an effort to reduce the trauma of intervention for children victimized by child abuse. Off-site prevention training programs will also be based at the center.

Michael Caplin, director of Eastern Operations for Childhelp USA, characterized the message of Childhelp USA’s new Virginia center.

"The problem of child abuse is too large for any one government agency to handle alone," he said. "The only way to keep our children safe is to make sure that adults do something; and Childhelp does that by providing education and training, and lending support."

Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who was present for the ribbon cutting noted the importance of the Childhelp Children’s Center in Virginia.

"The Childhelp USA Children’s Center of Virginia combines the leadership and resources necessary to fight child abuse in Virginia, and is a clear step in the right direction toward ensuring that all our children live in safe homes," Warner said.

The Children’s Center facility will serve as a site for addressing the immediate needs of victims of child abuse. These needs include criminal investigation, medical examination, immediate crisis intervention, Child Protective Services investigations, forensic examinations, referrals to community assistance, social services assistance and preparation for court appearances.

To take some of the sting out of the entire process, the center is meant to be child-friendly with colorful exam rooms, and a playroom where children can relax while waiting to be interviewed. A Child Interview Specialist interviews the victim one-on-one while members of the various investigative and service agencies observe via video camera from a separate room. Conversation is monitored, and crucial questions are relayed to the interviewer via a wireless microphone and earpiece. Such treatment procedures are designed to reduce the number of times a child must recount his story to strangers, thereby reducing the distress of a prolonged investigative process.

"The center is designed for children of all ages, toddler through 17 years old," Caplin said. "There are facilities for younger children, as well as more mature facilities for older victims."

Childhelp USA also offers child abuse prevention programs for children and adults. Six abuse prevention instructors are based at the Virginia center, and are available to present child abuse prevention programs to school groups. The Good Touch/Bad Touch program offers children an age-appropriate, non-technical discussion of the problem of sexual abuse. Children learn the difference between good and bad touches, and what to do when they think they are being touched in an inappropriate way.

Adult training programs are also available for professionals who work with children. Childhelp USA is currently working on a project to make its Child Abuse Recognition and Response Seminars (CARRS) available on the Internet.

Parenting classes and public education campaigns are also offered through Childhelp USA/Virginia.

Recently, the organization was instrumental in the passing of legislation in Virginia, requiring all new teachers and all licensed teachers applying for renewal, to complete child abuse prevention and recognition training prior to licensure beginning in July 2004.

Childhelp USA was founded in 1959 by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson. The non-profit group has served as a model for other child abuse prevention and education programs.

Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.