Child advocacy center briefs commissioners on caseload and asks for county support

A representative of the regional Child Advocacy Center briefed the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners on services delivered in the county over the past year and asked for continued county support.

The presenter said the center provided forensic interviews, therapy sessions and medical exams to local children and that it offers advocacy and free therapy for families. The representative reported counts for the last year: 16 forensic interviews, 39 therapy sessions, seven medical exams and about 96 advocacy contacts involving 16 children (numbers as reported by the center during the meeting). The speaker said the center maintains a doctor who performs forensic medical exams and that the center hopes to secure funding to expand to 24-hour exam availability and a mobile unit if resources permit.

The presenter said many of the center’s grants operate on a reimbursement basis, which can create timing issues if an executive budget freeze occurs; the center asked the county to consider continued support so it can plan services. The representative left printed materials and a written request with county staff; a specific dollar amount for the county request was not stated on the public audio record of the meeting.

Commissioners thanked the representative and did not make an immediate funding decision during the session. The center said it will share additional information and documentation with county staff if needed and noted April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month outreach plans.