Chances For Children

06/21/2013

As providers of supervised visitation and exchanges, we see families in crisis every day and must work diligently to insure safety and protection for the children.

Supervised visitation and exchange services
provide parents who may present a risk to their
children or to another parent, parental conflict or to have parent-child contact monitored by an
appropriate third party. Long recognized as a
service crucial for families whose children need a safe environment, visitation centers have begun to emerge as a service for some families engaged in child custody disputes, and for families with histories of domestic violence and other allegations of parental misconduct. Visitation centers are among few programs that interact with each member of the family. As such, they have a unique opportunity to identify needs and gaps in services for child(ren) and the family.

Role of the Visitation Center

Provide a safe space for children to visit with the non-custodial parent; and to also provide a safe place to conduct
supervised exchanges.
Help keep child(ren) and adult victims of domestic violence safe during exchanges and visitation.
Children are able to maintain a relationship with both parents free from parental conflict or domestic violence


Referrals

Court orders are not required to use services. However, many families are court ordered to use the services. Referrals may also be made by
Attorneys , self-referral and other community
resources

06/21/2013

The Child Advocacy Center works to help child victims of abuse become children again.

Chances for Children is a not for profit organization serving Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton, Dixie, and Lafayette Counties.

If you would like to volunteer or donate to Chances For Children here are some different ways in which we need our community support, Thank you.

Christmas For A Child
Sponsor a child for Christmas, provide a smile for a child on Christmas.

Other areas we need help
Monetary
Furniture
Clothing
New or gently used toys
Maintenance
Computers
Yard and Gardening
Building repairs and supplies

For more information please call the
office at (386) 752-4453 or email us at
[email protected]

06/21/2013

Child abuse and neglect are a major problem - and a major concern - for communities throughout the United States. We all know that the problem exists.

The real question becomes “What happens to a child victim once he or she discloses?”

In the past child abuse victims and their families were bounced from one agency to another - from the child welfare office, to the sheriff or police department, to the hospital, to the prosecutor’s office -repeatedly telling their stories of abuse. The criminal justice system, a system
Primarily designed for adult perpetrators not child victims, lacked coordination
between law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, mental health and medical agencies. Duplication of efforts, along with multiple unnecessary and
traumatic interviews for the children, had
become the norm in child abuse cases.

06/21/2013

Chances For Children Child Advocacy Center:
The children’s Advocacy Center of the 3rd Circuit is
dedicated to reducing trauma to victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members through intervention, prevention and education

Chances for Children Child Advocacy Center (CAC) creates a safe and calming place for children when they have been sexually or physically abused; coordinates the professionals involved in the investigation and prosecution of the criminal case; performs forensic interviews and medical exams; advocates for the child in court; offers mental health counseling and provides safe visitation for families in a child-friendly environment under one roof. The CAC can decrease the overall impact of abuse by reducing further victimization to abused children; by encouraging parents and caregivers to stop abusing and neglectful behaviors; by reducing the long-term costs to society; and by decreasing the number of child abuse victims through awareness and prevention education.

Just a few of the services we provide:

Child friendly facility

Abuse determination through forensic exams and interviews performed by trained professionals from the Child Protection Team

Victim Advocacy to assist child and families during the entire criminal justice process

Case Management throughout the life of the case as the needs of the children and their families change. Referrals to community
services help stabilize and support families.

Counseling Referrals for children of abuse and non-offending family members to assist them in dealing with the effects to the child and family unit

Parent Mentor are volunteers from the
community who are role models for good
parenting and will offer on going guidance to the children and emotional support for the family.

Supervised Visitation and Exchanges

For more information please contact us at
405 E. Duval St.
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 752-4453

06/15/2013