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Children's Justice Center reports service volumes, gaps in some VOCA targets
Summary
Christie Pike, director of the Children's Justice Center, told commissioners the center served 153 primary victims Jan.–Jun. 2024 (112 forensic interviews) and reported mixed results under its VOCA grant: some targets exceeded, others missed; staff highlighted new clinical space and accreditation.
Christie Pike, director of the Washington County Children’s Justice Center, told the County Commission on Aug. 20 that the center served 153 primary victims in the first six months of 2024, including 112 forensic interviews, 16 medical exams and 45 traumatic stress screenings.
Pike said the center recently completed a two-year Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant cycle and reported mixed performance against grant targets. “The goal was 650,” she said in reference to criminal-justice-information touches; the center achieved 900. Medical exams reached 116 against a goal of 125, she said, and individual counseling sessions totaled 658 versus a stated goal of 1,300. Emergency financial assistance—funded at $1,500 per year in the grant—was used 20 times when necessary, short of an illustrative target of 50.
Pike described reasons behind lower counts for some measures: interview volumes declined in several counties late in 2023 and early 2024, reducing downstream referrals and services; some children already receive therapy elsewhere, which the center avoids interrupting. She said the center has rebuilt and expanded its medical and mental-health space, added a contracted therapist, contracted a forensic interviewer for neighboring King County, and completed National Children’s Alliance reaccreditation after an 18‑month documentation process.
Commissioners commended staff. One commissioner asked whether the trends reflected statewide activity; Pike said interview volumes fluctuate and the center’s recent monthly totals were “right where we would expect to be.” She urged the public to report suspected child abuse to law enforcement or DCFS so cases can be evaluated and, if appropriate, referred to the CJC.
The commission asked no formal action on the report; Pike noted the commission previously approved a renewed state contract tied to the center’s budget.
The next procedural step is continued program monitoring and implementation of the new clinical space; no further commission vote was recorded at the meeting.
