In many cases, children who have been sexually or physically abused must visit several agencies at multiple locations in order to get the support they need. Children’s Centers were created to assist in providing a safe haven for then youths. They provide a place where the children can, instead of visiting multiple agencies, come to one location where specially trained professionals collaborate to facilitate a child friendly environment where the child knows he or she will be safe.

The Union County Children’s Center is a satellite office of the Campbell County Children’s Center. It is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2001 to provide a resource for these children. The organization serves child abuse victims in Campbell, Claiborne, and Union counties. Because of community support they are able to provide much needed services at no cost to the families and caregivers of the children served.

Some of the many services that the Children’s Centers provide include: supporting the state-mandated Child Protective Investigative Team as it investigates all reported cases of sever child abuse and serving the counseling needs of sexually or severely physically abused children as well as making counseling services to adults and children with their behavioral or emotional needs available.

The center employs two Forensic Interviewers, who are specially trained in interviewing children. The goal of the interviewer is to obtain a statement from a child in an objective, developmentally sensitive, and legally defensible manner. This reduces the number of times children are interviewed reducing the stress put upon the children in these vital moments. The equipment and space necessary for a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), who performs physical exams on children who have been abused is made available at the centers. In return, the SANE records the findings and works closely with law enforcement, the center, the Department of Children’s Services and the District Attorney General’s Office to ensure accuracy in investigation and prosecution.

Staff members who are knowledgeable about dynamics of child abuse and the full scope of crisis intervention services needed by victims are chosen. These individuals advocate the emotional, physical, and educational need of those suffering from abuse, hence their title, Victim/Family Advocate. In addition, the center provides child abuse prevention education to the community as well as implementing a school-based prevention program Safety Matters which focuses on general and personal body safety to children in grades pre-k through 5th, and Darkness to Light-Stewards of Children which is adult education to prevent, recognize, and react to child abuse. A Case Manager provides in-home case management services such as educational support, court advocacy and direct assistance to abused children placed with grandparents and/or caregivers.

Although, these events may seem harsh and hard to understand, children are put into these situations so often. The folks at these Children’s Centers in Campbell, Claiborne, and Union Counties share their hearts and knowledge to assist in getting the kids the best help that can be found and in the simplest way possible, bringing all the resources to one trusted location.

The Campbell County Children’s Center, along with our satellite offices, will be hosting the 4th Annual Ball Farm Event on August 29, 2019. This event will include live music, catered meal, a silent and live auction, and more. Help is needed in making this event a great success. The local Union County Children’s Center is asking for donations of gift cards, gift baskets or hand-crafted items to be auctioned at the event. All proceeds from the event will benefit the child abuse victims in our community.

If you would personally like to donate, or your business or organization, contact Union County’s Victim/Family Advocate, Michella Blackburn at 865-992-7677 or at 120 Veterans Street. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated.

2018 - 2019 Statistics for Campbell County Children’s Center
• Behavioral Wellness
o 4,060 Sessions
 205 Individuals

• Forensic Interviews
o 265 Interviews

• Victim Advocacy Services
o 258 Follow Up Contacts
o 99 Referrals
o 34 Court Advocacy
o 90 Direct Assistance
o 5 Victim Compensation Assistance
o 11 Personal Advocacy

• SANE
o 19 Medical Exams

• No, Run, Tell Prevention Program
o 2,589 Students
o 173 Presentations

• Darkness to Light
o 557 Participants
o 21 Presentations
• Case Management
o 24 Caregivers
o 32 Children
 22 Court Advocacy Services
 116 Direct Assistance Services
 72 Referral Services
 122 Follow up Services

• Child Protective Investigative Team (CPIT) Cases Reviewed
o 251 Campbell
o 152 Claiborne
o 99 Union