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Western New York Children's Advocacy Network outlines plans for Livingston County Child Advocacy Center
Summary
Marcy and Brad Prrenzy told the Livingston County board they have leased space, finalized a contract with the Office of Children and Family Services, are finalizing a St. Peter's Health agreement for medical exams, and hope to begin accepting cases in June at a no-cost Child Advocacy Center offering forensic interviews, medical exams and trauma-informed therapy.
Marcy and Brad Prrenzy, founders of the Western New York Children's Advocacy Network, updated the Livingston County board on plans for a county-based Child Advocacy Center (CAC) intended to centralize forensic interviews, medical exams and trauma-informed mental-health services for children affected by abuse.
The presenters said the CAC will reduce duplicated interviews and eliminate the need for many local families and county employees to travel to neighboring counties for exams and services. "A child advocacy center is a location that helps to streamline the investigative process," Marcy Prrenzy said, and she added the model promotes "forensic integrity" and stronger outcomes for victims.
The Prrenzys described services that will be provided free of charge: on-site forensic interviews; medical exams conducted under contract with St. Peter's Health; trauma-informed counseling for children and nonoffending caregivers; case coordination with law enforcement and the Department of Social Services; and a "caring closet" stocked with donated basic items. "There'll be no cost for any any of these services for families. They'll be all free of charge," Marcy Prrenzy said.
They listed partners for the CAC's multi-disciplinary team, including the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, local law enforcement, the District Attorney's Office, Department of Social Services, contracted mental-health providers, and hospital-based clinicians who will travel in to perform specialized exams. The presenters said the organization has finalized a contract with the Office of Children and Family Services and is finalizing its St. Peter's Health agreement for medical exams.
On logistics, the presenters said they have a leased facility (transcript reference: "138 street"), have completed most renovations, installed video-recording software for interviews, and are finishing keypad entry and remaining furnishings. The Prrenzys said they intend to begin taking cases in June after internal trial runs and final setup. They noted some specialized medical examiners are currently based outside the county and explained the CAC arrangement allows those clinicians to provide exams on site.
The presentation closed with photos and a brief tour of planned rooms (waiting area, medical room, interview and observation rooms, mental-health space and caring closet). The Prrenzys thanked the board for allowing the update and for local agency partnerships that have supported the effort.
What happens next: The presenters said they will complete remaining facility work and finalize contracts and staffing before accepting cases; no formal county action on the CAC was recorded in this meeting.
