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Child Advocacy Center seeks trauma therapists, aims to add pediatric medical exams; county to reopen applications for opioid funds
Summary
The commission heard an update from the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and We Care about reopening services, accreditation progress and a push to bring trauma therapy and pediatric medical exams to Rhea County; commissioners agreed to post application dates for opioid funds and to place the matter on a future agenda.
Representatives of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and community partners told the Rhea County Commission they are working to restore services after a reopening and are pursuing accreditation and added programs to better serve child abuse victims.
A CAC presenter said the center currently provides victim advocacy and family advocacy services and is working toward accreditation and expanded services. "Moving forward, we want to have medical here," the presenter said, describing talks with partners to bring pediatric sexual-assault medical exams and on-site trauma therapy to the county so families do not have to travel to larger hospitals. The presenter added they hope to have pediatric medical services within about a year and noted existing offers from local SANE-certified nurses to obtain pediatric training.
Commissioners and CAC staff discussed opioid fund eligibility. The mayor and other commissioners described that opioid-related funds may be available year-round and asked staff to reopen the application period so other eligible entities can apply. The commission instructed staff (Miss Marion and Miss Harvey) to draft dates and post the application schedule on the county website so organizations can submit paperwork to the finance department and committee as previously done.
Supporters urged the county to fund trauma-therapy positions and to pursue local medical exam capability to reduce travel for families and improve continuity of care. Commissioners agreed to place a formal agenda item to open the application period and to return with a written schedule and web posting for the county’s opioid-funds application process.
The CAC update included requests for funding, a description of services (victim advocacy, family outreach), and priorities including hiring trauma therapists and pursuing pediatric medical exam capacity.
