Somerset County Child Advocacy Center hosts open house
SOMERSET ― The Somerset County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is hosting an open house event for the community from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at its new location, 513 Georgian Place.
Members of the CAC staff will be present to educate the community about the invaluable services the CAC provides to victims and families affected by child abuse.
The CAC is a government-based Child Advocacy Center that provides victims of child abuse and investigators access to trained professionals to assist with the evaluation of children when there are allegations of possible physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, drug endangerment and witnesses to violence. These services include audio/video recorded forensic interviews, forensic medical evaluations with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, victim support and advocacy, court prep and accompaniment, human trafficking assessments, prevention education, trauma assessments, case review and tracking, case management, and referrals for counseling and therapy services.
Following the Christmas holiday in December 2022, cold temperatures resulted in several water pipes bursting in the Union Street Building where the CAC was located, with Somerset District Magistrate, Public Defenders Office, Southwestern PA Legal Aid, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and the United Way. The extensive water damage resulted in every agency within the building having to temporarily relocate.
Without access to the audio/video recording equipment within the CAC office, services were temporarily suspended.
“Our staff was devastated. There were no offices, no working phones, no access to equipment, and nowhere to provide services,” Sara Buterbaugh, director of the CAC, said.
In response to the crisis, Somerset County Commissioners and the CAC Advisory Board met to discuss a response plan. Victim Services Inc. invited the CAC to occupy two offices within the Somerset Victim Services location to install recording and observation equipment and conduct interviews and service provision a few days a week. While preparations occurred to temporarily install equipment at Victim Services, the Circle of Support Child Advocacy Center in Cambria County welcomed Somerset CAC staff, investigators and families to travel toCambria County to utilize its office space and equipment to allow the CAC to resume service provision.
In February, the CAC returned to providing services in Somerset County at Victim Services. During this time, CAC staff were temporarily housed in a classroom adjacent to the Somerset County Library for office space and would travel to Victim Services when interviews were able to occur.
The CAC space in the Union Street Building required the removal of floors, ceilings and walls as a result of water damage sustained. Renovations of the space have halted pending a final determination from the insurance provider.
“When working with victims of abuse, professionals are exposed to secondary trauma constantly. Having a safe and stress-free work environment is critical not only for the well-being of the victims receiving services but for the professionals providing the service,” Buterbaugh said.
Somerset commissioners recognizing the need for a more permanent solution for service provision, approved the CAC exploring opportunities for office space outside of property owned by the county.
Chairman Commissioner Gerald Walker asserted, “It is critical that as a county we come together to supportagencies that advocate for one of our most vulnerable populations. Children are our future, and without theSomerset County Child Advocacy Center providing these invaluable services, our families would have to seekhelp in other counties.”
In April, the CAC entered into a lease agreement for office space at 513 Georgian Place, Somerset.
Renovations began for the installation of recording and office equipment. SCI Laurel Highlands provided a crew toenter the facility under supervision and paint all of the walls to transform the new office space into a colorfuland welcoming child-friendly environment. The CAC was able to fully reinstate services at the new location inJuly. To learn more about the Child Advocacy Center, call 814-445-1628.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County Child Advocacy Center hosts open house
