April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Grim statistics show 1 in 5 children will be abused before the age of 18, and five children die each day in this country at the hands of a caregiver.
Those awful details illustrate a need for treating the trauma that creates. Locally, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Osceola County pairs with partners agencies to assist, support and educate through a difficult journey any time a child is suspected of being abused.
Last week, CAC Osceola showcased its new, state-ofthe- art facility designed to be a comfortable a safe space for children and families who are in the midst of that time of crisis.
On a secured floor of a building near the Osceola Council on Aging, the agency now has nearly triple the space it had in its temporary-for-longenough space near downtown Kissimmee. CAC Osceola was actually supposed to move into that space about a decade ago, but architectural issues got in the way then.
Annually CAC of Osceola serves 665 children — enough to fill 30 elementary school classrooms — so it will make great use of the new space, which was shown off to media and stakeholders April 12.
The design, warm and friendly in nature, is centered on the children and families who will use it.
“Those who have visited the (new) CAC have commented on how valued they feel and all the services offered here,” said Joy Chuba, CAC Osceola’s Executive Director.
The facility, which features vibrant artwork and multiple intake, exam and therapy rooms — of which CAC only had one of each of in its prior space — is designed to limit the number of interviews of victims, to reduce trauma, provide support and education. Through video links, for example, children’s protective services, investigators and medical professionals can observe interviews at the same time in order to preserve a calmer environment for the victim.
Osceola County partnered with the CAC to help get it into its new facility. County Commissioner Viviana Janer said she wishes the center didn’t have a reason to exist.
“But, if so, it does to protect children, so I’m glad we were able to make it larger,” Janer said. “It will undoubtedly make a positive difference on the lives of those it serves.”
Added Commissioner Cheryl Grieb: “This is a safe, beautiful, welcoming place for families to come with their children to get the help they need.”