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Child Advocacy Center requests continued county support and outlines prevention, treatment and court coordination
Summary
The Child Advocacy Center asked Dorchester County to continue funding (one tax mill) and described services including forensic interviews, trauma‑focused therapy, a safe babies court model, clinician trainings and a new Berkeley County facility.
Dr. Phillips spoke for the Child Advocacy Center May 11 and asked the county to continue funding the center at its current level (the presentation referenced funding at one tax mill). She described services the center provides to children who have experienced abuse, including forensic interviews, trauma‑focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF‑CBT), a sexual‑behavior prevention program for adolescents and a newly launched safe babies court intended to improve outcomes for infants and toddlers impacted by maltreatment.
Dr. Phillips said the center provides treatment services free of charge, participates on a multidisciplinary team with law enforcement and Child Protective Services, and is expanding clinician capacity (four clinicians being trained in EMDR this week). She also described the center’s funding mix (about 40% grants, state billing for some services, and donations) and a new Berkeley County facility that will broaden geographic coverage. The center emphasized prevention training (Darkness to Light and other programs) aimed at reducing future abuse and improving long‑term outcomes.
Council members and others expressed support and asked about program delivery and referrals; Dr. Phillips said most referrals come through law enforcement and child protective services and reiterated the center’s role in reducing long‑term trauma and downstream costs to the community.
