Core
Services

Our forensic interviewing team provide one-on-one interviews for children to ensure a child is not re-traumatized through the investigative process. In our child-centric facility, children tell their account to our forensic interviewer while the investigator, social worker, prosecutor, advocate, and physician watch the interview from our conference room. The team is then able to provide relevant questions to the interviewer through an earpiece. This system reduces the number of times children must re-tell their experience, therefore significantly reducing the impact of the trauma for that child and aiding in accountability for those who harmed them.
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Forensic Medical Exams – We have an onsite medical room dedicated to forensic medical exams in response to allegations of physical and sexual assault on children and youth from age one to eighteen.

Advocacy – At the time of the forensic interview or forensic medical examination, a family advocate meets with the family/caregiver to offer support, answer questions, and provide and connect families with resources. The family advocacy program offers ongoing comprehensive clinical case management services and works as a bridge to our behavioral health program, the Children’s Legacy Wellness Center.

When a child or youth is at the Children’s Legacy Center for a Forensic Interview or Medical Examination, the family advocate offers support to parents and caregivers during that process. They are also able to discuss the legal process, provide emotional support, offer parenting and behavioral education, provide and connect families with resources needed, and answer questions. In addition, an advocate can provide crisis intervention and safety planning.
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The family advocacy program works in conjunction with the Shasta County Crime Victims Assistance Center to help ensure a child and their family has the most comprehensive resources available, including Victim’s Rights and Victim Compensation. The family advocacy program works as a bridge with our Behavioral Health program, the Children’s Legacy Wellness Center, to ensure that each child and caregiver is supported throughout the judicial and healing processes with psychotherapy services and support.

The family advocacy team will provide ongoing comprehensive clinical case management services to children and families including parental support through individual counseling, individual advocacy, referral services, advocacy during a medical exam, and court and trial support.

Advocates are available to a family at any point during the investigative process. Advocacy services are free of charge to families/caregivers.