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West Linn proclaims Child Abuse Prevention Month; Children's Center warns some assessment funding is shrinking
Summary
Council proclaimed April Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard from a Children's Center representative who described forensic interview and prevention services, said the center sees about 500 children annually in Clackamas County, and noted several medical-assessment funding sources have been diminishing.
The West Linn City Council read a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and invited staff from the local Children's Center to describe services and prevention work in Clackamas County.
The Children's Center representative summarized the center's model—co‑located forensic interviewers, medical assessments and therapy aimed at reducing repeated interviews for victims—and said the center annually sees about 500 children in Clackamas County for in‑depth assessments. "Annually, we see about 500 children in Clackamas County each year for that in‑depth assessment that I reference," the presenter said, and described both assessment and prevention programming.
The presenter also discussed funding: the center uses a mix of insurance reimbursement for medical assessments, court fees and private fundraising. She warned that some non‑tax funding streams, including court fee revenue, have been diminishing and are "at risk." Councilors thanked the center's staff for their work and discussed opportunities for the city to host outreach events and partner locally.
Next steps: Council offered to connect the Children's Center with city outreach staff and the community services director to explore hosting prevention events in West Linn; the council asked staff to monitor funding developments that could affect service capacity.
