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We Heal

Children come first in everything we do.

Victim Services

The CARE Center is Oklahoma County’s child advocacy center committed to helping children find their voice and begin to heal after abuse. 

When a child experiences abuse, law enforcement or DHS refers to The CARE Center for our victim services of forensic interviews, medical exams, family advocacy, and mental health services.

We work together with our multidisciplinary team of law enforcement investigators, child protective service workers, assistant district attorneys, medical professionals, mental health professionals, and family advocacy personnel on the investigation, treatment, and management of child abuse cases. We are here to ensure the best possible outcome for children, while creating a caring, supportive, and safe environment for the brave children we serve. 

Child advocacy centers serve more than 370,000 children each year and Oklahoma child advocacy centers served more than 7,000 children in 2017.

Our Mission

To prevent child abuse and provide opportunities for healing and hope for children in Oklahoma County.

Our Vision

To end child abuse in Oklahoma County.

Types of Abuse

  • Sexual Abuse
  • Physical Abuse
  • Witness to Violence/Death
  • Neglect
  • Witness to Sexual Abuse
  • Drug Endangerment
  • Child Pornography
  • Kidnapping
  • Human Trafficking

Investigators are now welcome to request a forensic interview online!

Request Forensic Interview

We Are the Child Abuse Experts

At The CARE Center, we believe every child has a voice, and we are here to listen. In an effort to support the healing process, we have created a calm, child-centered space, and in partnership with our multidisciplinary team, we offer holistic care for every child who visits The CARE Center. 

Holistic care is provided at no cost to children and their families.

Forensic Interview

Mental Health

Advocacy Services

Medical Exam

We Make an Impact

Throughout the years, we've helped thousands of children and families confront and overcome abuse and neglect.

2021 Victim Services impact

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Referred to Counseling
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Family Advocacy Sessions
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Total Forensic Interviews
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Total Forensic Interviews

total served

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ADULTS
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CHILDREN

What an Appointment Looks Like:

Play Orientation
After a snack and a drink, each child receives one-on-one playtime. Our playrooms are filled with toys, activities, and entertainment for all ages as well as two playgrounds. As your child plays, you will be asked to complete some basic paperwork. Once the child is comfortable, a forensic interviewer will introduce herself and escort the child to a forensic interview room. Parents and guardians are not allowed in the interview. At the end of an appointment, children are welcome to continue to play, and every child leaves The CARE Center with a brand new stuffed animal and a Brave Pack, a few items reminding children that they are strong, courageous, and brave.
Forensic Interview
The forensic interview is the cornerstone of our work at The CARE Center. An audio- and video-recorded forensic interview is conducted in a developmentally appropriate, non-leading or intrusive setting. Forensic interviewers are highly trained to keep the child comfortable while working to obtain accurate information to support the investigation process. This eliminates the need for the child to tell their abuse story over and over again. We have two Spanish-speaking forensic interviewers on staff but can accommodate any language. We will also work with your family to address any additional barriers or special needs of your child.
Specialized Advocacy
During your child's forensic interview, you will meet with a specialized family advocate for personalized resource referrals, access to The Lion's Den, our resource room, and many other services. Every resource is designed to alleviate barriers so healing can become your family's top priority. Your family advocate will be available for the life of your case.
Mental Health Services
Emotional support from a trusted adult is critical for children moving forward after trauma. The CARE Center provides on-site, trauma-informed mental health services for children and families. Our Mental Health Coordinator does an observational assessment and brief session with children who have mental or emotional health needs in order to determine the best off-site counseling referral for them to begin to heal.
Medical Exams
After advocacy and the interview, it may be necessary for your child to have a medical exam. Proper medical attention is vital to your child’s holistic healing, and even if the abuse is no longer physically present, we find that medical exams are an important part of the healing process - an opportunity for your child to hear "your body is okay." Our medical coordinator is a certified P-SANE (Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) and offers every child who visits the opportunity for a medical exam. More severe physical abuse cases will be seen by a physician at Children's Hospital less than a mile from campus.
Education
With more than 25 years of experience providing services to victims of child abuse, we are working to end this epidemic through prevention education programs. Every family will leave The CARE Center with the tools and resources to help ensure abuse prevention moving forward. Our educational trainings are also available free of charge to children and adults throughout the community.

discrimination procedures

The CARE Center treats all clients & employees equally regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, and disability. If you’d like to submit a discrimination complaint, please click the link below. 

For questions, please contact VP Traci Schwartz at traci@carecenter-okc.org or 405.236.2100. 

CLIENTS
EMPLOYEES

Resources
Digital Resources

Mental Health Awareness Month

This technology safety plan has been provided by the National Network to End Domestic Violence in the hope that it will increase technology safety for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

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Digital Resources

Technology Safety Plan

This technology safety plan has been provided by the National Network to End Domestic Violence in the hope that it will increase technology safety for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

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Advocacy

Child Abuse Prevention Month

This blog post serves as a resource for LGBTQIA+ youth and parents. In this blog post you’ll find terminology and definitions as well as local (Oklahoma City) and national resources.

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Annual Report

2020 Annual Report

Check out our 2020 Annual Report! The Annual Report includes more information about the number of families we served and educated in 2020. Learn more!

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Careers

Work for The CARE Center!

The following positions are open at The CARE Center: Bilingual Family AdvocateDepartment: Child Abuse Victim ServicesReports to: Director of Victim Services Interested candidates should submit

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Contact us

405.236.2100

info@carecenter-okc.org

Visit Us

1405 Ashton Place
Oklahoma City, OK 73117

CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE

1.800.522.3511

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© The CARE Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization

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