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Heroes Haven director warns sharp VOCA cuts threaten child-abuse services
Summary
Patty Saunders, executive director of Heroes Haven Child Advocacy Center, updated Clarksburg City Council on the center’s services, accreditation and funding shortfalls, saying federal VOCA cuts and limited therapy capacity put case management and trauma services at risk.
Patty Saunders, executive director of Heroes Haven Child Advocacy Center, told the Clarksburg City Council that the center — which serves Harrison, Doddridge, Taylor and Barbour counties — is facing a significant funding shortfall after federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) support is cut.
Saunders summarized the center’s work and recent national reaccreditation and said the program handled more than 500 forensic interviews in the current fiscal year and served thousands of children through prevention, medical and mental-health services. “VOCA is being cut 70% across the board this October,” Saunders said, warning the reduction directly affects staffing: “VOCA pays for four of my staff fully” and the center currently has six employees where Saunders said the workload supports about 10.
The center provides single forensic interviews, court-accompanying advocates, a clothing and hygiene closet, trauma-focused therapy contracts and medical partnerships. Saunders described the center’s multidisciplinary-investigation team — led by prosecutors — that reviews cases until they are sentenced or closed. She said the center uses a nationally accredited Child First protocol for interviews and partners with a children’s advocacy clinic and local SANE services for medical exams.
Saunders outlined demand and outcomes: she said Heroes Haven conducted “over 500 interviews this fiscal year,” that 65% of referrals came from Harrison County and about 20% of those referrals were from Clarksburg, and that 26 newly served children were exposed to drug endangerment (a figure she contrasted with a 13% statewide rate). Saunders also said the center has achieved higher prosecution and conviction outcomes than statewide averages, and is working to expand on-site therapy capacity; she said there is currently about a month wait for trauma-focused services except in emergency cases.
Council members asked about the center’s biggest challenges. Saunders reiterated staffing, therapy capacity and staff vicarious trauma as primary concerns, noting turnover pressures and the need for additional trauma-focused clinicians and respite for staff.
Council members thanked Saunders and the center for its work and urged continued local support as federal funding uncertainties continue.
Saunders did not request a specific city appropriation during the presentation; no formal vote or budget directive was made at the council meeting.
