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State To Bring Services To Child Victims With New Mobile Units

New York state has a new strategy to bring services to child victims of physical and sexual abuse. Specialized Winnebagos are being deployed to rural and underserved areas.

Parked outside the Child Advocacy Center In Fulton County in Johnstown on Wednesday was a white recreational vehicle.

While it appears like an ordinary camper, the vehicle is one of seven mobile Child Advocacy Centers. The mobile units are a joint project between the state Office of Children and Family Services and Office of Victim Services.

Office of Children and Families Services Commissioner Sheila Poole commented on the exterior appearance of the RV.

“I think the care that’s been taken in the actual physical design of the mobile unit…it doesn’t have any bright signage or affixed…you know, it looks like someone’s vacation recreation vehicle or a bookmobile, which also I think is symbolic of our desire to protect confidentiality of children who will be interviewed as well families who come here to take part in service delivery,” said Poole.

The interior has been designed from the ground up to accommodate children and families. Outfitted with toys, pictures, and snacks, the unit is designed to make the investigation process less traumatic for children who are the victims of physical or sexual abuse.

Janine Dykeman, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association In Fulton & Montgomery Counties, pointed out the amenities within the mobile CAC.

“Actually that’s the interview section, right here, so this is where children would be where interviewing would be going on. This room that you’re in right now, this is the observation room. So we would have law enforcement or Department of Social Services sitting here…”

All units are also equipped with recording and observation equipment, a waiting area, and a bathroom.

The Mental Health Association received $250,000 from the state for the purchase of the unit and will receive $50,000 annually over a three-year period to cover operation and maintenance expenses.

Dykeman says the unit will serve a region where inadequate public transportation is a big issue.

“Really for everything. For work, for people that are going to college, for people who might need services, getting to Department of Social Services, any of those pieces. Transportation is a big challenge in our communities,” said Dykeman.

The RV parked in Johnstown will be able to service Fulton, Montgomery, as well as Hamilton Counties.

Funding for the mobile units is also supporting programs for the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office to serve Essex and Franklin Counties, as well as the St. Regis Reservation; Delaware County Department of Social Services; Parent Education Program in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties; Steuben County Department of Social Services; and the Victim Assistance Program of Jefferson County, with one unit for St. Lawrence County, and the other Lewis County.

Elizabeth Cronin, Director of the Office of Victim Services, says the mobile units are in addition to a strategy to establish more Child Advocacy Centers across the state, with 58 centers statewide covering every county.

“So that there is a brick-and-mortar safe space for families who are able to get to the interview, but now they’ll have a place to go where people are trained in forensic interviewing, that the children won’t have to go through multiple interviews, so it’s kind of a win-win all the way around, whether you have transportation or you don’t,” said Cronin.

New York’s Child Advocacy Centers service approximately 24,000 children each year.

Lucas Willard is a reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011.