§ 20-78-105 - Children's advocacy centers. - Arkansas Statutes

20-78-105. Children's advocacy centers.

(a) Currently, sexually abused children often have to describe their sexual abuse several times to different professionals at different locations. Many investigations are conducted with little collaboration between the agencies involved in the cases. Each agency's child abuse professionals are officed in a different facility, and interface during the investigation and management of cases is limited. Sexual abuse medical examinations are commonly performed in hospital emergency rooms and other sites that are frightening to children, lack the proper equipment, and often are staffed by physicians uncomfortable with these exams. It is the intent of the General Assembly to institute pilot programs to provide the services just described under one (1) roof and to provide a more child-friendly atmosphere, less trauma to the children and families, improved investigations and management, more effective utilization of multiagency information, greater protection of children, increased prosecution of perpetrators, and less unnecessary family intervention.

(b) In order to accomplish these goals, the Department of Arkansas State Police is hereby authorized to utilize moneys appropriated for its maintenance and general operation to make grants to and to contract with children's advocacy centers for facilities and services.

(c) (1) The Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission shall advise the Department of Arkansas State Police as to children's advocacy centers which qualify for grants or contracts from the Department of Arkansas State Police.

(2) Qualified children's advocacy centers should:

(A) Provide a child-friendly, comfortable place for interviewing children and families, examining the children, and initiating services;

(B) Provide crisis intervention for the child and family as well as appropriate referrals for psychological treatment if not available on site; and

(C) Provide offices for law enforcement, employees of the Department of Human Services, and health care professionals in order to deliver collaborative evaluations and services.