Advocates for Children and Families Inc

Cherish; started in 2009 has served over 2,100 kids who have been sexually abused, physically abused, and neglected. Cherish provides a safe environment for the child and his/her family to come and get the help they need. After a child has been abused and/or neglected sometimes its difficult to know who to trust or who to tell. Cherish provides that safe environment with professionally trained child forensic interviewers on staff to talk and listen to the child. The interview takes place in one of the rooms at Cherish while the team of law enforcement, department of child services, and a prosecutor watches the interview in another room. The interview is audio and video recorded for law enforcement and department of child services to obtain a copy of the interview in case it is needed futher into the investigation. By conducting the interviews in this manner, this reduces retraumatization with the child having to tell their story repeatedly to multiple different people. This way, the child only has to tell their story approximately one time to one other person. At Cherish, we take putting the child first very seriously and are always practicing what is in the child's best interest. After the interview and meeting with the family, we have a Licensed Clinical Social Worker on staff that helps the family get counseling services if preferred. Cherish understands not all families can afford the financial commitment it takes to get counciling so if qualified Cherish does not let finances stand in the way. Statistics show 0.1% of children who have been abused report and tell their story. Cherish wants to change that percentage and get the children and their families the help they need.