April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

4/11/2018 (Permalink)

 SERVPRO of MT.Pleasant, Clare and Houghton Lake are proud supporters of the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center.The Northern Michigan Children's Assessment Center assists children that are victims of abuse across four counties in northern Michigan – Crawford, Roscommon, Oscoda and Ogemaw.      What is a Children's Assessment Center? Originally, children had to wait in the chaotic environment of a police department to be interviewed when their were concerns of abuse. Now, at the Children's Assessment Center, children wait in a child friendly room surrounded by toys and children's games. This environment allows them to relax and become more open to telling their story. The Children's Assessment Center was created so that children don't have to repeat their story multiple times. Children are interviewed by a specially trained forensic interviewer, in a room designed for them and are no longer interviewed by an officer in uniform. When interviewed at the assessment center, children are more likely to disclose their abuse allowing us to hold offenders accountable and get children the help they need. Inside of the observation room, Law Enforcement and Children's Protective Service workers are able to observe the interview live and participate in the process by directing questions to the interviewer through a headset and an ear-piece. All Interviews are recorded, limiting the number of times children need to tell their story. Children no longer have to  go to the chaotic environment of an emergency room for a medical exam. All medicals are performed by a specially trained pediatrician and are scheduled for two hours allowing both the child and the non-offending caregiver adequate time to discuss their concerns. At the Children's Assessment Center, all services are provided under one roof, allowing children to receive all the necessary services to heal from their abuse.