From Darkness to Light:

Union County Child Advocacy Center, Elizabeth, N.J. and

Community Development Block Grants 2011, 2012

Union County Child Advocacy Center

• Wrap-Around Service Model – - Legal - Investigative- Medical- Child Protective Services - Mental Health for Child Abuse Survivors

• 800 Centers Nationally• Multidisciplinary Team Model (Process)• Child Advocacy Center (Building)

Leveraging• Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders

$2.2 Million – Property Acquisition 2009• Union County Improvement Authority – Public

Construction Bond $2.6 Million• Department of Children and Families (NJ) -

$500,000.00 Construction Grant• Community Development Block Grant

$225,000.00, 2011, 2012• Friends of the Child Advocacy Center – CDBG

Match $300,000.00

Cost of Child Abuse

• $124 Billion - $210,012 – Per Each Non-Fatal Abuse Victim for a total of 579,000 cases-2008

(See Fang, Florence, Mercy, Brown, Center for Disease Control, Child Abuse, the International Journal, “The Economic Burden of Child Maltreatment in the United States and Implication for Prevention,” February, 2012, pp. 156-165;)

• Abused children and teens experience a profound loss of power and bodily integrity. Money for services and treatment are an important link to the resiliency of a new and better life.

Where we were, 1995 to 2012

“In The Beginning”

The End of the Rainbow

Primary Entrance

Foyer

Community Mural

Family Waiting Room

Child Friendly Family Waiting Room

Child Interview Room

Monitor Room

Statement Room

The Hardworking Staff!!

What It’s All About!