Warren County Children’s Advocacy Center briefs council on services during Child Abuse Prevention Month

Caitlin Pessey, family advocate and multidisciplinary team coordinator at the Warren County Children’s Advocacy Center, updated Warren City Council on services and outreach during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Pessey told council the center — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with law enforcement, juvenile probation, children and youth services and the district attorney’s office — was handling about 13% more cases than the same period last year. ‘‘Although that statistic of 13 might seem like a big jump, it actually means that 13% more children are getting the services that they need from us,’’ Pessey said.

Pessey described the center’s role: conducting trauma‑informed, child‑focused forensic interviews, coordinating a multidisciplinary team for case planning, and helping families identify mental‑health and housing supports. She highlighted a ‘‘sunshine fund’’ the organization uses to replace clothing or phones taken as evidence and noted the center works to connect mental‑health providers with victim‑compensation arrangements so families are not immediately billed.

Pessey also described fundraising activities — including a road‑rally benefit that supports both the advocacy center and CASA (court‑appointed special advocates) — and invited community referrals for families in need. ‘‘We really try to provide services for every child in the county, whether they’ve been abused or not,’’ she said.

Mayor David Wortman and other council members thanked Pessey for the presentation and commended the center’s role in serving vulnerable children.