Education
ROAR on Living Oklahoma
Education Manager, Shelby Lynch, sat down with Living Oklahoma to chat about ROAR and The CARE Center’s plan to end child abuse in Oklahoma County.
We Heal
Children come first in everything we do.
Victim Services
At The CARE Center, we are committed to helping children find their voice and heal after abuse as well as educating adults and children on child abuse prevention. All of our services are provided at no cost to children and their families.
When you suspect or recognize abuse, we are here. Our multidisciplinary team is made up of law enforcement investigators, child protective service workers, assistant district attorneys, medical, counseling, and family advocacy personnel. We work together 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 all who visit.
We are Oklahoma County’s only child advocacy center dedicated to helping children heal after abuse.
In Oklahoma, 1 in 3 girls & 1 in 5 boys will be abused before their 18th birthday.
Our Mission
Every child has a future, we educate. Every child has a voice, we listen.
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
We Are the Child Abuse Experts
children come first in everything we do.
At The CARE Center, we truly believe that 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.
2018 Victim Services impact
0
Medical Exams
0
Referred to Counseling
0
Family Advocacy Sessions
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Total Forensic Interviews
forensic interview breakdown
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Boys
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Girls
What to Expect on Your Visit
We provide child abuse advocacy services that help identify, prevent, and heal.
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 one Spanish-speaking forensic interviewer 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 whom will offer one-on-one including immediate, on-site counseling, referrals to long-term counseling, 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.
Resources
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Education
10,000 ROARs!
The CARE Center has reached 10,000 kids through ROAR, a child abuse prevention program created by the Center and launched in 2017.
Advocacy
Basic Safety Rules To Teach Your Children
Here are some basic safety rules to implement at home and beyond to help keep your children safe in everyday situations.
Education
Teaching Kids Body Safety
View Article in Metro Family Magazine In Oklahoma County, one in three girls and one in five boys will be victims of sexual assault by
Advocacy
Talking to Children About Traumatic Events
Trauma Causes Stress Natural disasters, man-made crises such as car or plane accidents, or violent episodes like shootings or bombings happen all too often these
Education
