Child advocacy center staff urge sustained county support for forensic interviews, medical exams and therapy

Representatives of a regional child advocacy center briefed the Seward County commission about services they provide to children who are alleged victims of abuse and asked for continued county support.

Agency staff said their role is to coordinate a single, trauma‑informed forensic interview rather than require children to repeat statements to multiple agencies. They described services that include forensic interviews, medical exams (SANE‑style exams arranged when indicated), therapy and court‑support advocacy, and they said the center coordinates multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings with law enforcement, DCF and medical staff to shape safety planning. The presenter reported recent activity levels: the center assisted with about 15 forensic interviews in Seward County last year, handled dozens of outreach calls and provided therapy sessions and court advocacy; the presenter noted the center's medical program facilitates clinician availability for exams that local hospitals cannot always provide on short notice.

Agency leaders said the medical service line experienced a recent grant interruption and that, despite the pause, they are continuing core services while seeking replacement funding; staff highlighted that having an on‑call clinician reduces the need for families to travel and avoids gaps when local hospital coverage is not available. Presenters asked commissioners to continue support for the center's local presence (the center maintains an office near DCF in town) and to consider county assistance where state or federal grants are uncertain.

Commissioners thanked the presenters and noted interest in continued coordination; the commission did not make any funding decisions during the session but asked staff to keep the center informed as budget discussions proceed.