LCC

AC

Lake County Children's Advocacy Center2018 ANNUAL REPORT

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 1 11/25/19 11:33 AM

Michael G. NerheimLake County State’s Attorney18 N. County Street, 3rd FloorWaukegan, Illinois 60085(847) 377-3000

Through the years, I have encountered many examples of the importance of the legal system playing a vital role in the protection of our youngest members of society. To understand the complications our youth face in today’s world is an unsettling undertaking. The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center addresses these issues daily and meets them head-on. I’m proud of the work done through the Center. The staff has dedicated their careers to making a difference and they mirror the importance of working together to find resolution in crisis. The LCCAC remains one of the most difficult assignments in my Office. Encountering our youth in the midst of trauma is a daunting task. Seeking justice takes on a different meaning. It is not only about holding offenders accountable and ensuring community safety. It is about giving children a voice and working together, with other disciplines, to share the responsibility of providing interventions that will help the child heal. It is about empowering each other to protect and support all children we encounter. Children are our future, and together we are making a difference.

LCCAC ACCOUNTANTDam, Snell & Taveirne, LTD

Fox Lake, Illinois 60048

WELCOME!

Welcome to our first published Annual Report for the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC). With the amazing growth and outreach of the LCCAC, we felt that we needed to share all that is being done on behalf of the children of Lake County and beyond. We are proud of the work that has been accomplished and strive to give every child a voice against child abuse.

29%

51%

5%

4%

4%

3% 4%

COUNTY OF LAKETHROUGH THE LAKE COUNTY

STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE BUDGET

GRANTS

COURT CONTRIBUTIONS & JUROR FEES

CONTRIBUTIONS & MISCELLANEOUS

SPECIAL EVENT (NET)

DONATIONS

COUNTY OF LAKE(IN-KIND)

2018 REVENUE BY SOURCE

On average, 350 children

come to the LCCAC every month for

interviews, education, and peer-to-peer

support.

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 2 11/25/19 11:33 AM

ANTIOCH

BARRINGTONBUFFALO GROVE

FOX LAKE

GRAYSLAKE

GURNEE

HAWTHORN WOODS

HIGHLAND PARK

DEERFIELD

HIGHWOOD

ISLAND LAKE

LAKE BLUFF

LAKE FOREST

LAKE VILLA

LAKE ZURICH

LAKEMOOR

LIBERTYVILLE

LINCOLNSHIRE

LINDENHURST

MUNDELEIN

NORTH CHICAGO

PARK CITY

RIVERWOODS

ROUND LAKE

ROUND LAKE BEACH ROUND

LAKE PARK

TOWER LAKESVERNON HILLSWAUCONDA

WAUKEGAN

WINTHROP HARBOR

ZION

TOWNS WE SERVED IN 2018LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

WELCOME! The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center is more than a place where the most vulnerable members of our community come forward to tell their story. The people that work inside our building are dedicated to spending just as much time out in the community actively, and meaningfully sharing information while building relationships with the youth of Lake County. It is through these outreach campaigns that we are empowering youth to speak up, share their stories, and make a difference in their communities. Taking a proactive approach to enhancing knowledge that promotes and encourages positive relationships is a priority. We have encountered youth from all corners of the County and have learned about their needs and struggles. We have seen firsthand the importance of these relationships. They make a huge difference in our daily work. Trust, compassion, and empathy go a long way in the journey toward healing. Thank you to the staff who have given tirelessly to making the lives of children better. They exemplify kindness and hope daily. To our volunteers, thank you for making our work environment a better space for not only the children we are serving, but also for the staff. Your presence in our building has made many difficult days brighter. And to our Friends Committee, thank you for hearing our needs and working to educate the community on our mission. Your dedication to our cause has changed lives, and we appreciate the confidence in our work. Teamwork is the core of our work and together we are making a difference.

Carrie FlaniganExecutive DirectorLake County Children’s Advocacy Center

PEOPLE REACHED THROUGH

COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS

1,650 CHILDREN

1,850 ADULTS

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 3 11/25/19 11:33 AM

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILY

SERVICES (DCFS)

In 2018, DCFS funded

$48,388 of our budget.

MEDICALAn accurate and complete

history is essential in making medical diagnoses

and determining appropriate treatment of child abuse. (NCA 2017)

MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM (MDT)

The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC) is a safe, child-focused environment. When police or the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) believe a child is being abused, the child is brought to the LCCAC by a caregiver or other “safe” adult. At the LCCAC, the child tells their story once to a trained interviewer who knows the right questions to ask, in a way that does not re-traumatize the child. A team composed of medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health, prosecution, DCFS, and victim advocates make decisions together about how to help the child. Based on the interview, we offer therapy, referrals for medical exams, courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and other services. This is called the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) response and is a core part of the work of the LCCAC.

VICTIM ADVOCACY

2,957

Advocacy provided to children and adults

in 2018:

MDT • VICTIM ADVOCACY

• DCFS • MEDICAL

• FORENSIC INTERVIEWS• PROSECUTION• LAW ENFORCEMENT• MENTAL HEALTH

The average amount of time dedicated to a

child while they are

at the LCCACis 2.5 hours.

In 2018, one Forensic

Interview cost

approximately $498.86.

“The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center is not just a beacon of hope for the children of Lake County, it is also a beacon for those of us who care for these children in the medical field. We couldn’t hope to successfully care for the victims of abuse without them.”-Chenel Vanden Berk, BS, JD, RN, SANE-A Advocate Condell Medical Center

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 4 11/25/19 11:33 AM

MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM (MDT)

LAW ENFORCEMENTIn 2018, law enforcement and

child protective services brought 985 victims of abuse to the LCCAC.

We serve 44 police departments.

MENTAL HEALTHIn 2018, trauma specific counseling services were

provided on site at the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center in

partnership with the Lake County Health Department through the

System of Care for Families grant.

MENTAL HEALTH ROOM

“Trauma-focused therapy allows children who come through the LCCAC to heal with the help of a counselor. Through counseling, children can process their experience in a safe and supportive environment while learning skills to help themselves feel better and regulate their behavior.” - McKenzie Hensen, LPC Counselor Illinois Lake County Health Department

PROSECUTIONThe LCCAC is a division of the

Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. 6 Assistant State’s Attorney’s are

assigned to the Special Victims Unit.“We have gained so much knowledge by being allowed to participate in the MDT case reviews. You have gathered experts in a variety of fields; Victim Advocates, Prosecutors, Medical, Mental Health, DCFS, SANE, Law Enforcement. We always come away with something new to add to our tool belt because:‘Knowledge Of One Is Knowledge Of All’.” - Thomas Nowotarski, Detective Sergeant

“Being able to collaborate with members of the MDT creates a platform for support and direction, with all the professionals involved in investigating the abuse of children. It promotes a more thorough investigation by working together & resolving any conflicts that may surface. Most importantly, the process helps address the safety of children from the start and minimizes additional trauma to them.“ - Lakesha Wilkerson, Detective with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office

FORENSIC INTERVIEWS

In 2018, there were1,047 Forensic Interviews

scheduled...up from 209 in 2010.

FORENSIC INTERVIEW

ROOM

“Before a child can start to heal from traumatic experiences, they have to be heard and believed. Forensic Interviewers are trained to elicit information from children in ways that are supportive, non-leading and developmentally appropriate.” - Lynn Aladeen, Forensic Interviewer

IN 2018, LYNN ALADEEN,

FORENSIC INTERVIEWER, CONDUCTED

366 INTERVIEWS.

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 5 11/25/19 11:33 AM

FEM

ALE:

719

MAL

E: 3

07240 PHYSICAL

ABUSEVICTIMS

694 SEX

ABUSEVICTIMS

113 WITNESS

TO A CRIME

OUR CLIENTS...

The L

ake C

ount

y Chi

ldre

n’s Ad

voca

cy Ce

nter

has b

een p

rote

cting

& ad

voca

ting f

or ch

ildre

n of

Lake

Coun

ty fo

r ove

r 30 y

ears.

This

year

the L

CCAC

will

serv

e clo

se to

1,20

0 chi

ldre

n.

PARENT/FOSTER PARENT

SIBLING

UNKNOWN

188

53

76

ALLEGED OFFENDERS = 559

STEPPARENT 31

GRANDPARENT 23OTHER RELATIVE 62PARAMOUR 50OTHER KNOWN PERSON 76

0-6 2177-12 42913-18 36819+ 12

CHIL

D ST

ATIS

TICS

AGE

RACEWhite 364Black 230Hispanic 420Asian 12

VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS

GENDER

(INTERVIEWS SCHEDULED)

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 6 11/25/19 11:33 AM

FACILITY RENOVATIONSRenovations of our office took place June through November of 2018. Thank you to Lake County, LCCAC Friends Committee and Designs 4 Dignity! Designs 4 Dignity donated over $60,000 in design and furniture. Our child-focused setting is comfortable, private, and both physically and psychologically safe for diverse populations of children and members of their family.

THE LCCAC

Accredited Member of the National Children’s Alliance

Office of the Lake County State’s Attorney

Michael G. Nerheim

OUR PARTNERS

The LCCAC continues to be the only Children’s Advocacy Center in Lake County. We provide services to children from birth to 18 years, as well as developmentally disabled adults.

We are a Division of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, and operate under the Specialized Victims Unit. The LCCAC is accredited through the National Children’s Alliance which ensures the highest standard of care to the victims we serve, and is a member of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois.

Thank You!

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 7 11/25/19 11:33 AM

OUR PEOPLE

Just a few of the items that

have been purchased with money raised from the Friends

Committee!

OUR AMAZING STAFFCarrie Flanigan — LCCAC Executive Director Victor O’Block — Chief of Specialized Victims Unit Britta Girmscheid — Assistant State’s Attorney Stella Day — Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Humke — Assistant State’s Attorney Kyle Doyle — Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Walker — Assistant State’s AttorneyLynn Aladeen — Forensic Interviewer James Adkins — Investigator/Forensic Interviewer LaKesha Wilkerson — Investigator/LCSO Jill Verbrick — Victim Advocate Rachel Valencia — Bilingual Victim AdvocateChris Burnside-Newman — Victim AdvocateCarrie Wings — Juvenile Victim AdvocateSarah Patterson — Legal Assistant/MDT Coordinator Mitchell — Facility Dog

BOARD OF DIRECTORSMichael G. Nerheim, PresidentLake County State’s Attorney

Carrie Flanigan, Executive DirectorLCCAC

Andy Martin, TreasurerZS LLC

Shannon CoufferBaylor Scott & White Health

Dr. Patrick DolanThe University of Chicago

Amy GreskiwLake County Health Department

Bob HelleWoodlane Development

Amy JungeALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Norma MachayIllinois DCFS

Brian McClainCounty of Lake

Charles MayADT Alarm Systems

Victor O’BlockChief, Specialized Victims Unit

Ismael Rosa IIOutpost Crossfit, LLC

Maureen SlottLCCAC Friends Committee

John Tannahill Lake County Forest Preserve

Jay UkenaChief Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit Court

Andrea UsryLt. Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Teri WhiteLake County State’s Attorney’s Office

Bob Helle, ChairMaureen Slott, TreasurerCarrie Wings, SecretaryMegan AustinJoanne BaloghKristan BoyleJeanne CliffOwen FayerElaine FlaniganFred & Stephanie ForemanNellie MayMark & Colette Monahan Andi NerheimJill NerheimBrian & Nicole O’MearaShirley PattersonJudi Schutter Michele SpinellChristine StevensonKatie Torrence-PetersonJoanne Trainor

FRIENDS COMMITTEE

To date, the Friends Committee

has raised over $250,000 for the

LCCAC.V

OLU

NTE

ERS

Volunteers are a

priceless part of our

team!

GET INVOLVED!

247.95Volunteer

Hours In 2018

393.20Volunteer

Hours To Date In 2019

“The Friends Committee, in

addition to fundraising, has

been able to bring increased awareness to the Lake County community and its

surrounding communities. We

continue to be a work in progress, but I am

proud of what we have accomplished

in five years.”-Maureen Slott

Friends Member

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 8 11/25/19 11:33 AM

Create AwarenessEngage Youth

Encourage Participation

THE “BLUE KIDS” PROGRAM WORKS TO:

We want to thank Motor Werks Auto Group for working with us during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April

2018 by creating awareness and prevention of child abuse in their workplace. Together, with their employees, they

generously raised $3,910 for the LCCAC.

BLUE KIDS • Child Abuse Awareness Campaign

Blue Kids...helping to educate the community on

child abuse in Lake County.

Look for this sticker in your

community!

ww

w.friendsoflccac .org

SPRE

AD A

WARENESS • STOP CHILD ABUSE

• Time• Gift Cards• Snacks• Juice Boxes • Art Supplies

ITEMS WE ARE IN NEED OF: is for you to know that every little bit makes a difference in the life of a

child! The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC) is a division of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office but operates as a 501(c)(3) organization. We rely on grants and donations for a large portion of the services we provide to victims and their families.

the Blue Kids Program

raised over $8,610

In 2018...

“MITCH”Mitchell sat in

over 187 interviews with

children in 2018.

Mitchell, our facility dog, is an important part of the LCCAC. Mitch provides children with a sense of

security and comfort while they visit the LCCAC and has been a part of our team for over

4 years. He was trained and donated by Duo Dogs in St. Louis, Missouri.

duodogs.org

MITCHELL • Our Facility Dog

��������

����

������������������

In 2018 we gave away over 1,500 Mitchell stuffed animals.

WISH LIST

OUR WISH...

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 9 11/25/19 11:34 AM

LCC

AC

Lake County Children's Advocacy Center123 N. O’Plaine Road • Gurnee, Illinois 60031(847) 377-3155 • www.friendsoflccac.org

ANNUAL REPORT**FINAL**FINAL**11-25-19.indd 10 11/25/19 11:34 AM