Child Advocacy - Child Abuse Services:

Services

*ALL SERVICES AT CHILDREN'S COVE ARE FREE OF CHARGE*

SAIN Interviews (Sexual Abuse Intervention Network)

• Coordinates and assists in child sexual and severe physical abuse investigations with the following partnership agencies; all of Barnstable, Nantucket and Dukes County Law Enforcement Agencies, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Mental Health, the District Attorney’s Office, Cape Cod Hospital and Barnstable County.
• Conducts a child friendly non-leading non-traumatizing Forensic Interview of child victims between the ages of two and seventeen
• Ensures medical and mental health care for victims
• Compiles statistical analysis of child abuse cases

Counseling

• Provides short-term therapeutic intervention to child victims and their families
• Provides a strength-based therapeutic foundation to enhance the potential for healing and to gain skills of empowerment
• Provides educational and consultative services to schools, churches, and other groups working with children
• Provides ongoing supportive contacts to parents and children and referral for additional services as needed.
• Provides prevention and outreach services

Family Services

• Connects families needing assistance to proper agencies
• Provides limited monetary assistance, when available, for various needs such as rent, utilities, food, heat, clothing, transportation, camperships, etc.
• Provides new and used donated items to families in need

Family Program

• The Family program seeks to apply traditional family principles to families who have experience trauma.  The program emphasizes the core values all families need in order to function in a strong and healthy manner; CARING, TRUST, RESPECT, and COOPERATION.  The program is designed strictly for fun, for families that have been through the SAIN process.  Meals and supplies are provided at no cost to the families.
• Holds once a month activities for families who have been through the SAIN process, such as a Vermont ski trip, a Spring party, a Summer barbeque, a seal watch, and a December Holiday Party.

Medical Services

• All medical services are provided in collaboration with Cape Cod Healthcare Pediatric Department and are free of charge.
• Onsite emergency and non emergency forensic medical exams are available to all victims of suspected sexual or physical abuse referred to Children’s Cove by law enforcement, DSS or their Cape Cod Pediatrician.
• The purpose of the forensic medical exam is to ensure the health and safety of the child, collect forensic evidence, including photodocumentation of abnormalities, and to treat injuries or infections resulting from the abuse.
• Children’s Cove is staffed by an experienced Nurse Practitioner who is a certified Pediatric SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) specializing in pediatric and adolescent sexual abuse and forensic evidence collection and credentialed by the MA State Dept of Public Health.
• The NP/Pedi SANE works as part of a Multidisciplinary Assessment team also know as the SAIN that responds to allegations of child abuse.
• Medical exams are done in a compassionate and time sensitive manner, with emphasis on a do no harm approach. The exam is not painful for the child.