The Children's Advocacy Center of Jackson County

Category: Health Care

  • Center Open, but limited to Emergency & Crisis Situations

    Center Open, but limited to Emergency & Crisis Situations

    IMPORTANT MESSAGE

    The Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County will remain open but limited to emergency and crisis related situations.   Our therapy department will be moving to providing services by phone or a HIPPA complaint web based platform.  This week most appointments were cancelled in order to work out a process to move in a way to be able to continue to provide interventions in a safe way.

    We will continue to schedule, on an emergency basis, forensic interviews.  As always these will be scheduled through law enforcement or child protection and we will work those entities to do so in as timely and in accordance to CDC recommendations.  We will be evaluating this daily based on the latest recommendations and what we learn about the spread of COVID 19.  “Emergency Basis” is being defined by law enforcement and child protection protocols and the ability to secure safety of the child needing the interview.

    We are increasing our cleaning of our building wiping down surfaces throughout the day.

    We are going to a smaller staff being on site at any given time.  If the phones ring longer or go to voicemail more frequently please be patient.

    We know that child abuse does not stop for any reason and we are working on being as responsive as we can and still help stop the spread of  COVID 19.

    We will be limiting the number of people in our work spaces.  What that translates to is we are trying very hard not to have more than one family in our building at one time.  NO ONE will be allowed in the building who is currently ill, running a fever or has had flu like symptoms in the last five days.

    We are not accepting donations of any used or gently used items at this time.  We are accepting snacks that are prepackaged by the manufacturer (i.e. goldfish, animal crackers,  etc.)  While we are not serving the usual number of children, we will be very soon have an increase once the CDC recommendations are lifted.

    We are also accepting donations of cleaning supplies such as Clorox, Lysol, or cleaning wipes.  These are in high demand.  We have some supplies right now but like you are uncertain how long this may be a need.  We are not assembling a stockpile of any supplies which means at the rate we are going we will run out.

    Additionally we are accepting gift cards in ten dollar increments to grocery stores in order to help out the families we serve who may not be receiving an income right now or may be facing reduced income or will need help with food even after the immediate concern is lifted.

    At this time all Protect Our Children trainings are cancelled or postponed.  After April 15th we will reevaluate based on the most current recommendations from the Governor and CDC at that time.

    Thank you

    Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County

  • The Many Faces of Healing: Emily

    The Many Faces of Healing: Emily

     

    Emily, a ten year old intellectually disabled child, came to the Children’s Advocacy Center as result of concerns for her safety. A teacher noticed that this normally very polite, quiet child began having problems in school.

    Emily began acting out sexually on the playground. The teacher became concerned and made a report.

    Emily’s medical evaluation helped determine that she had been physically and sexually abused. During the evaluation, she also disclosed that she had been made to watch pornography. The very specialized medical evaluation from the Children’s Advocacy Center’s pediatrician also found substantial untreated medical issues that indicated long-term neglect. Our doctor was able to make referrals to a primary care physician to help resolve these issues.

    Through the investigation, it became apparent that Emily could not remain in the care of her parents. She was placed with a loving relative who is receiving support services through the Children’s Advocacy Center to help her care for a child who has experienced trauma.

    Emily is safe now and is engaged in therapy services.

  • The Many Faces of Healing: Jonathon

    #FacesOfHealingCAC

     

    Jonathon is a 4 month old baby who was taken to the hospital with many bruises and injuries to his face. Follow up care was provided at the Children’s Advocacy Center, where additional testing was done, Johnathon was found to have multiple fractures not previously identified.

    This discovery of these additional injuries by the Children’s Advocacy Center pediatrician may have saved his life.

    The intervention provided by our specially trained pediatrician provided the necessary medical evidence for investigators to take action and place the infant with safe caregivers.

    Now Johnathon is thriving in a safe, loving home. He and his caregivers are receiving support services through the Children’s Advocacy Center to help him recover from his experienced trauma.

    (The pictures we used in this post are of child models – not the actual children described herein or clients of CACJC.)

     

  • “Jayden” benefits from the Caring for Kids Campaign

    By Theresa Hart, Development Director for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County

    In March, we created three stories of children who have received services in our Medical Department for our Caring for Kids Campaign. These stories were based on real life experiences of children who had received services in our Medical Department. The details of their experiences were altered to protect their identities.

    “Jayden’s” story touched me very deeply.

    “Jayden” suffered sexual abuse by her mother’s boyfriend. She and her mother were brought to the Children’s Advocacy Center after her mother found her 13-year-old daughter inconsolable upon her return home.

    After disclosing the abuse at the Center, Jayden was brought to our Medical Department where she received a head to toe evaluation. Additionally, our in-house pediatrician administered a test for sexually transmitted infections and a pregnancy test. When she left the Center that day, Jayden carried with her a quilt and the assurance that she was healthy and that her body would be okay. Jayden is receiving therapy at the Center and her mother is in treatment for substance abuse.

    Jayden was fortunate to have come to the Children’s Advocacy Center where she could receive our specialized medical services, tell the story of her abuse and receive therapy in one child-focused center.

    There are many children who have experienced abuse and neglect in the Rogue Valley. The CAC is the only place of its kind In Jackson County. Last year, Jayden was the recipient of one of the more than 200 medical services performed by our Medical Department.

    Jayden suffered the kind of abuse we don’t like to talk about.

    But here’s the thing, child abuse is a community problem, and it requires a community response. CAC’s partners were involved throughout her story, from law enforcement, DHS, community members, businesses, and other local organizations. The quilt Jayden took home was made by a local church group.

    Community members and businesses can partner with us during the Caring for Kids Campaign to support our Medical Department services. These donations go to pay medical staff salaries, equipment, and supplies.

    We are recruiting a nurse practitioner to perform additional medical evaluations and services to extend our Medical Department hours to 40 per week. Now more than ever we need community partnerships and support to help us continue our work with abused children.

    There’s still time to partner with us during the Caring for Kids campaign. The deadline to make a donation is June 30. To make a difference in a life of other child victims, send your donation to 816 W. 10th Street, Medford, OR 97501.

    Thank you.

    Theresa Hart

     

  • It really does “take a village”

     

    This is a post by Karen Bassett, an RN for over 30 years — the past 20 years at Southern Oregon Pediatrics of Medford, Oregon.

    The proverb  – “It takes a village to raise a child” – means that the work of raising a child cannot be done alone; rather, an entire community must participate.

    As far back as I can remember, I have had a love for working with children.  During my pediatric rotation in nursing school, I discovered this passion could be merged with my career.  Not only could I spend hours working with children, but I could also help teach them and their parents.  My patients have ranged in age from birth through the early college years.

    Teaching and empowering children and families is the most rewarding career. 

    Living in the Rogue Valley, we are fortunate to have access to many resources that are available to children, teens, and their families.  These include respite nurseries, parenting classes, after school programs, charter schools, hands on museums, centers for counseling, speech and physical therapies, and so much more.

    As I spend many hours each week coordinating care for my patients and their families, I am reminded of the many dedicated people working to create healthy caring children and families.  These professionals and volunteers reassure kids and families when things are a part of growing up, and also help when extra help is needed.

    I feel privileged to be part of the “village” working with families and children in the Rogue Valley……. helping each child reach their full potential!

    Karen Bassett
    Karen Bassett, RN