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Community Partner Spotlight: Cape Cod Children’s Place

October 21, 2024

Children’s Cove works closely with a vast network of community partners across the region. Fundamental relationships are maintained with those who are a part of a multidisciplinary team, (law enforcement, district attorney’s offices, The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and The Massachusetts Department of Public Health)Additionally, Children’s Cove is engaged in relationships with service organizations accepting referrals as a part of the support process for children and their non-offending family members.

Relationships that Children’s Cove maintain with youth-serving organizations across the region are critical when we consider the essential elements of the prevention of child abuse. This necessary dynamic is best described as per language used in the national accreditation standards set forth by the National Children’s Alliance, “The numbers of individuals who need and would benefit from prevention education, training and related services may exceed the capacity of any one agency.” Children’s Cove has partnered with numerous regional agencies to provide prevention education across the communities of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. One of the most critical partners is Cape Cod Children’s Place.

Cape Cod Children’s Place, with a primary location in Eastham, and a secondary location in Yarmouth, is an early education and care program serving Mid to Outer Cape Cod. In addition to providing year-round, full-day early education and care for children of preschool age, they also provide free parent education programs and free playgroups promoting early literacy and community connections for isolated families. As community needs have evolved, CCCP has continued to develop new services to meet those needs, including programs to support families affected by substance use disorder and support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren.

In 2020, Children’s Cove was a key partner in CCCP obtaining the Children’s Trust SAFE (Strengthening All Families Everywhere) Child Communities grant from the Children’s Trust. The grant focuses on abuse prevention education and strengthening a family’s resiliency in experiences of trauma. Since that time, Children’s Cove and CCCP have provided numerous ongoing in-person and online abuse prevention education programs for parents and caregivers across the region in English, Spanish and Portuguese. One such program for parents titled “In the Interest of Every Child” provides information about specific prevention tips, conversations for children of all ages, and how to access confidential support if a child makes a disclosure. Children’s Cove and CCCP utilize the programming provided through the Children’s Trust “Keeping Kids Safe” curriculum and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance “Recognizing and Responding to Abuse” curriculum to share  evidenced based information to parents and caregivers.

Using evidence-based frameworks while applying proven research observations in regard to the brain development of children, our collaborative work toward prevention is focused on developing understanding, and increasing family access to what are known as the “Five Protective Factors.” These protective factors include:

• Parental Resilience: Having the skills and ability to cope and bounce back from challenges.
• Social Connections: Having friends, family, and community to provide emotional support and assistance.
• Concrete support in times of need: The knowledge and ability to access life-essentials such as food, clothing and housing when there is need.
• Knowledge of parenting and child development: Accurate information and skill development in raising children with appropriate expectations and interventions.
• Childrens social and emotional development: Understanding a child’s ability to interact positively with others and teaching them to communicate their emotions.

The programming and staff at CCCP provide education and skill development around these protective factors and incorporate them in all the work they do. More than that, however, there is a critical component surrounding the enduring application of this work; which is helping move community-based agencies in a shared direction of promoting prevention.

While Children’s Cove and CCCP are proud to emphasize the potential of our collaborative work, CCCP deserves special recognition for providing so much more to the Cape Cod communities it serves. The whole of CCCP’s work is no less than a comprehensive safety net  featuring direct early education and care services, family resources, co-location with the Outer Cape WIC office, hosting the Immigration Resource Center staff, healthy parenting courses and so much more.

Cape Cod Children’s Place has been an essential part of the Outer Cape community for decades, and a close community partner for just as long. We are excited  to continue our collaborative work to create a community free from abuse for children in the for many years to come.

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Community Partner Spotlight: WE CAN

August 15, 2024

To accomplish our vision of creating communities where children are free of abuse, have a voice that is heard, and where they enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives, it takes involvement and partnership with the community itself. Children’s Cove is fortunate to work with so many incredible organizations who support children and families on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. This month we would like to focus on just one, WE CAN.

Following a forensic interview and investigative process, there are times when a parental figure may no longer be in the home. Often, this leaves a female-identified caregiver in the lead, responsible for everything which may be needed for the child(ren.) These challenges can include legal and financial issues, as well as needed support for employment. This is where we make referrals to the incredible team at, WE CAN.

WE CAN (Women’s Empowerment through Cape Area Networking) was founded in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to empower Cape Cod women by providing unique services that inspire hope and bring increased stability, self-sufficiency, and opportunity to their lives. WE CAN serves over 2,000 women each year across Cape Cod with free and confidential legal services, employment and business support, financial empowerment, mentoring, and personal development programs.

With their dedicated team, WE CAN coordinates more than 300 volunteers including attorneys, and employment and financial specialists to run groups, provide individual consultation, mentoring and professional development to support women in their growth.

Throughout the 23 years of their organizational history, WE CAN has been able to establish two permeant locations to provide dedicated support, one in Harwich (home base) and a space in Hyannis which is primarily used for programs and workshops and can accommodate appointments as well as walk-ins for urgent matters.

The hope is, that any woman on Cape Cod who seeks to improve the condition of her life knows that WE CAN is the leading source to guide her journey toward realizing her personal goals.

To do this incredible work as a nonprofit organization, more than 600 individual donors, businesses, and private foundations generously support WE CAN through annual gifts, monthly sustaining support, grants and event sponsorship. WE CAN is also one of this year’s beneficiaries of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Second Summer Cycle – the safest and most enjoyable ride on Cape Cod, spanning 11 towns and benefiting 19 nonprofits. Participants can choose between three distances in the event, all of which end in a celebration at Motta Field in Provincetown. If you are interested in volunteering to support this benefit please check out the information at the Second Summer Cycle Website or by reaching out to Sunny Fellman, Outreach & Volunteer Manager, at sunny@wecancenter.org.

WE CAN’s new Hyannis Office (located at 127 Airport Road) is now open four days a week, from Tuesday through Friday from 9:30am-4:30pm. You can take a look at their upcoming fall workshop schedule at the link here.

It is through incredible partnerships with organization such as WE CAN that allows us to support children and families so that they may enjoy healthy, safe and empowered lives.

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Community Partner Spotlight: Katelynn’s Closet 

June 17, 2024

At Children’s Cove we serve children from 0-17 years old, and families of all backgrounds, cultures and socioeconomics. Regardless of circumstances before being seen at Children’s Cove, a child and non-offending family’s needs can change dramatically afterwards. Our Family Services program is here to provide information or referrals to community resources and assistance. This could be as simple as a phone call to tell a family where to go or to provide hands-on assistance in completing an application for assistance. Sometimes the most seemingly simple need is the most important and impactful. One of our most called upon and supportive community partners is Katelynn’s Closet.

Katelynn’s Closet serves children on the Cape & Islands who are from 4–18 years old and in need of comfortable, current, in-season and clean clothing. At the call of social workers, school nurses, doctors, police and fire departments an order can be placed based upon the child and their specific needs. To protect the privacy and anonymity of children and families, Katelynn’s Closet uses an individualized distribution system, where partner agencies assess the needs of the child. Afterwards, they place an order with Katelynn’s Closet where they provide the child’s age, size, initials, and any special request items like a winter jacket, swimsuit or footwear. The referring agency then picks up the clothing order at our warehouse and delivers directly to the child in need.

At times, Katelynn’s Closet will provide a gift card for a teenage child, or for a child who wears a size they do not carry. The social worker, or a responsible adult then shops with the child in need. All gift card purchases are tracked to ensure funds are used for the child’s needs. However, given different circumstances, sometimes this type of shopping and personalized time isn’t available for the child, so Katelynn’s Closet will provide gift cards and social workers shop online with their clients, instead of having to go shopping physically.  Orders over $50 have free shipping and our gift card amount is $100 so they are able to order the clothing they choose online and have them shipped directly to the client’s home.

Last year Katelynn’s Closet provided more than 900 bags of clothing and gift cards to children in need across the region. Many of those bags were provided to children who were supported by Children’s Cove.  We want to ensure we put the spotlight on Katelynn’s closet for the phenomenal work they do and how many children they have supported over the years.

Thank you to the entire team, individuals who volunteer, and those who donate to make Katelynn’s Closet the incredible community partner they are. We are inspired by their dedication, hard work, and how quickly they can pull something together for the families we serve in need.

To learn more or how to support Katelynn’s Closet visit their website here.

Note: All orders for children in need must be placed by an identified partner agency, Katelynn’s Closet does not respond to requests for clothing from family members or the public.

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Children’s Cove’s Expanded Services: An update from our team

February 28, 2024

Over the last few years, Children’s Cove has experienced an increase in need for all aspects of services and support to the community. To meet the need from increased referrals from partner agencies, our team hired our current Child Exploitation Program Coordinator, Alex Foley, and Clinical Program Manager Kathy Fayerberg in 2021. In 2022, we welcomed our Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator Lauren Ackles. With these incredible additions to our team, we then focused on additional ways to expand our programs and services. As we announced in Fall of 2022 at our 25^th Anniversary Celebration, we knew there were two other primary needs we had to address. One need is the ongoing demand for more education, outreach, and training across the Cape & Islands in child abuse awareness and prevention. Another, more availability and access to behavioral health providers to support child-victims through trauma-informed clinical care.

To meet this rising demand and fulfill part of the strategic plan, the organization has expanded staffing through the hiring of Anna Colby as our new Community Engagement Specialist in October, and Deena Anderson as our new Mental Health Clinician in January

Anna Colby, Community Engagement Specialist

With the increased demand for outreach and education in our community, we have found ourselves in need of additional staffing for community engagement and education for some time. Thanks to grant funding through the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance, we were able to create this much needed position to increase our reach in the community.

Anna Colby joins Children’s Cove as the Community Engagement Specialist after working in education for several years. Anna received her Bachelor of Arts from Bridgewater State University and will support the mission of Children’s Cove by engaging with the community to build positive working relationships and raise awareness about child sexual abuse. Anna will participate in informational and outreach events, develop and coordinate volunteers, and support child abuse prevention initiatives.

Anna joining our team represents the first addition to our education and training program in more than 10 years. This is a great step to increase prevention and early intervention for victims of abuse.

Deena Anderson, Mental Health Clinician

As a part of our mission and services following the investigative elements of our work, team members make coordinated referrals for support services in the community. However, the need for specialized clinical services has outpaced the behavioral health service available in our region.

We are seeing more cases with complex clinical needs, and, more than that, an immediate need for services. Children and families are often on waiting lists for months (or longer) to get the clinical services they need following trauma. We have an obligation to create an opportunity for children to be supported sooner.

Deena Anderson joins Children’s Cove as its first in-house Mental Health Clinician in almost 10 years. As children with specialized clinical needs, or a more immediate need for clinical services, access Children’s Cove services, Deena will provide trauma-informed clinical services to support the child and family. Deena received her master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Central Florida and has worked in various mental health and therapeutic roles across Cape Cod.  Deena has specialized in individual and family therapy utilizing a person-centered and strength-based approach. Deena utilizes a variety of therapeutic modalities in her personal practice including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Deena previously provided individual and family therapy at Child & Family Services and with Gosnold Behavioral Health as a Substance Use Counselor and School-Based Clinician. A significant focus in her work has been anxiety management and helping her clients live more fulfilling lives with less stress and worry by helping them develop healthy coping strategies.

As the needs for our community continue to rise, we are proud to be able to rise to meet the demand. Deena is a wonderful addition to our team, and we know she will make a positive impact in the hope and healing of children who have come to the Cove.

As we look to the future, plan with key multidisciplinary and community partners, and expand our services we strive to not only increase our response to children and families in the most challenge of circumstances but continue to create a community where children are free of abuse, have a voice that is heard, and where they enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives.

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Cape Cod Family Resource Center is a Dedicated Partner in Serving Our Community

December 23.2023

After a child and their non-offending family comes to Children’s Cove, the first big question is “what’s next?” As each case goes through the investigation, prosecution and healing process, our team is there to help the family understand the process, learn about their rights, and access resources that will help their family. However, because needs for each family can vary, require different languages of access, or become complex, we often depend on dedicated community partnerships to steer families in the right direction for their needs, resources or assistance. One of those strong partnerships is with the Cape Cod Family Resource Center.

First, a little background. In 2012 there was a change in legislation in Massachusetts that changed the ways families with challenges or children with behavioral or education issues were supported. Rather than continuing with a system which could be punitive through the filing of court petitions, a new system to directly support Families and Children Engage(d) in Services (FACES) was passed in the Massachusetts Legislature. Under this law, Family Resource Centers began to develop across the Commonwealth to provide services and service coordination directly to families in the community they serve.

Family Resource Centers are there to support individuals and families of all ages, incomes, and languages, and to develop meaningful community connections. Family Resource Centers provide support to parents, children, and families with practical solutions and resources for the challenges in their lives, whether for medical, educational, employment, behavioral health, or anything else. This is why we work so closely with the Cape Cod Family Resource Center (FRC).

Led by Molly Titus, Program Director, the Cape Cod FRC is comprised of a team including a School Liaison, two Family Support workers, a Family Partner and an attorney who works in collaboration with the FRC from the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids. Over the last year the FRC has made an incredible impact in our community. Since January 1st the Cape Cod FRC has directly supported 939 families with a combined 5,329 rendered services.

Some of these services include:

• Direct tangible resources or referrals to community
• School support – IEP/504 assistance, CRA/Pre-CRA support
• Legal representation for health-related matters
• Basic needs support – food pantry, personal hygiene products, diapers, clothing
• Parenting Education, including the Nurturing Fathers series, Active Parenting series, and Parenting Journey series
• Support Groups – Moms, Dads, and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
• Teen programs
• Family Activities – events, craft hours, DIY Kits throughout the year
• Assistance with holidays – Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas gifts
• Life Skills workshops
• Child Safety presentations

The Cape Cod FRC has been a go-to resource for the children and families we have served for many years, and we continue to expand our partnership. This past fall our Child Exploitation Program Coordinator, Alex Foley, worked with the Cape Cod FRC, as well as numerous community partners, to run a 7-week course titled “Now, That’s What I Call Adulting!” Each participant learned about community resources, financial literacy, resume building, interview preparation, work skills development and more. Due to generous funding from our friends at WE CAN, each participant received a $100 gift card to help purchase new interview outfits for future job interviews!

We will continue to work closely with the Cape Cod FRC for many years to come, and we are looking forward to expanding our trainings, presentations, and groups with them, some coming as early as this spring!

Thank you to the entire team, it’s a pleasure to work with each of you!

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MDT Highlight – Law Enforcement Victim Advocates

October 12, 2023

As the child advocacy center for the Cape & Islands we respond to cases involving child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, witness to domestic violence and sexual exploitation of children. Children come to us to talk about their experiences in full detail in a child-friendly and trauma informed manner. We provide these forensic interview services in partnership with our multidisciplinary team made of up law enforcement, child protection, medical and mental health, and prosecution to provide a comprehensive and trauma-informed approach to working with children. However, for some children there may need to be an initial conversation with law enforcement to begin this process, and for adults this type of service does not exist.

Talking about any traumatic experience is incredibly difficult, however, sexual, or intimate partner violence carries an incredible weight of difficulty. Taboo, shame, blame, confusion, betrayal, and anger are just some of the feelings victims of crime may experience in such an overwhelming way that it is nearly impossible to talk about it or ask for help. This is why some regional law enforcement agencies have hired those with specialized roles to talk with and support victims of sexual and domestic violence. Across the Cape, there are several individuals who serve as Victim Service Specialists, or Victim Advocates. While they aren’t members of the investigative team, they serve with incredible honor and integrity to support victims of crime in their roles. Children’s Cove and advocates often work in tandem to provide services and coordination of care to children and their non-offending families when responding to cases in their jurisdiction.

This month we wanted to highlight some of these incredible advocates for the work they do to support our community.

Kathleen Pedini, Victim Services Coordinator, Dennis Police Department

Kathleen “Kathy” Pedini has lived and worked on the Cape for the last 35 years. Kathy loves her home in the town of Dennis, and she believes the community is what makes it more beautiful than the land itself. Raising her family, her involvement in the local school districts and their sports programs, and off-roading at Chapin beach is why she has dedicated the last nine years of her career to the Dennis Police Department.

An active member in the Community Crisis Intervention Team and Mental Health Task Force, Kathy provides follow-up contact to victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as other crimes. Kathy provides the immediate support often needed following the team’s report, maintains communication and updates those she supports throughout the investigation. Whether it is an immediate and short-term crisis, or more long-term support, which is needed, Kathy assists each person she works with in navigating the local services which can assist them.

When asked what she enjoys about her work, Kathy states “I love a lot about my job, including the opportunity to help others through difficult situations, meeting and partnering with the community, and making a positive impact.”

What Kathy considers a success in her work: “I guess success to me is making someone feel valued, supported, and heard. I want people in the community to know we care and are there for them; they are not alone.”

Annie Catalano, Victim Services Specialist/Advocate, Yarmouth Police Department

Annie moved to the Cape in 2014 and started her work in the field of Victim Services at Independence House. In 2018, Annie was hired as the first Victim Advocate at the Yarmouth Police Department under their Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) STOP Grant. In her role, Annie connects victims with safety and support options, builds strong relationships within the community, created a Special Victims Unit, and developed a strong partnership connecting substance use disorder services with those in need.  Annie sits on the Cape & Islands Domestic Violence High Risk Task Force, Cape Cod Elder Abuse Coalition, the Enough Abuse Campaign, and she Co-Chairs the Yarmouth Substance Awareness Committee and in 2020,became certified through the National Advocate Credentialing Program.

In her work, Annie utilizes a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach and provides follow-up on all reports of domestic and sexual violence that come through the Yarmouth Police Department. In addition to assessing for safety and other needs, she will accompany victims during interviews with detectives, meet with families at Children’s Cove during a forensic interview, and accompany victims to court when appropriate.

When asked what she enjoys about her work Annie, says “I love to speak to members of the community about our Special Victims Unit and how we can support people, as well as, provide training about domestic and sexual violence, elder abuse, and child sexual abuse.  I love to empower victims of violence and watch them find their inner strengths that lead them to thrive.”

What Annie considers a success in her work: “If a victim feels safe, has the best supports in place, and feels empowered to advocate for what they need in the future. That is a success to me.”

Shelby Ray, Victim Services Specialist/Advocate, Yarmouth Police Department

Shelby joined the Yarmouth Police Department (YPD) in November of 2022 after previously having worked as a Victim Witness Assistant at the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office (DA). Starting with the DA’s office in 2014, after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Bridgewater State University, Shelby worked in Barnstable and Nantucket counties and assisted a multitude of victims through the prosecution process in District and Superior Courts. Hired to YPD following an application through the COVID-19 Sexual and Domestic Violence Trust Fund Grant for Public Safety, Shelby serves as a part of the department’s Special Victims Unit. Working with Annie as part of the YPD’s Special Victims Unit, Shelby serves as a liaison between victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and the police department. While working with the officers and detectives, Shelby directly supports victims through the process of reporting a crime.  Following this, Shelby can assist victims with restraining orders, safety planning, court accompaniment, interview accompaniment, and referrals for counseling, financial and legal support and more.

Having grown up here on Cape Cod and continuing to live here, Shelby realized the importance of working to expand crucial services locally that can help better the quality of life of survivors in our area.  By being able to provide advocacy and support to those who need it, there’s a stronger likelihood that a victim will have a more positive outcome.

What Shelby considers a “success” in her work: “Whether it’s helping someone once, or helping someone for years, after they’ve experienced a traumatic event, simply being able to be there to provide guidance and support during what could be the worst time of their life, can make a world of difference to someone.”

Tara B. Carline, Victim/Witness Advocate, Mashpee Police Department

Tara received a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Communication and Criminal Justice from the University of New Hampshire before eventually becoming a Police Officer in New Hampshire. After moving to the Cape in 2007, Tara joined the Mashpee Police Department as a Victim/Witness Advocate and has been a member of the Mashpee Police Community Services Unit since its inception in 2016. In addition, the MPD School Resource Officer and Tara are co-handlers to the first Police Comfort Dog on Cape Cod, K9 Cali.

Tara’s role includes supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence by providing crisis intervention, safety planning, support services and resources that would otherwise not be easily accessible. Tara also provides critical outreach in cases involving mental health, substance use as well as incidents involving those with juveniles and the elderly. Tara also provides training, education, and advocacy within the community. Tara finds that her work provides a sense of empowerment that can help change the course of someone’s life in a meaningful way. She hopes to make a difference in assisting people at risk by providing them with options that ultimately lead to a better situation.

What Tara considers a “success” in her work: “I would say that through my work at the Mashpee Police Department, I have been able to educate and promote change in the way people view domestic violence, substance use and behavioral health. This position has allowed me to be that constant sounding board and informational tool for survivors and others at risk.”

Jessica Jay, Victim Services Specialist Assigned to Prosecution Unit, Barnstable Police Department

Jessica grew up on Cape Cod and went to the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned her undergraduate degree, double majoring in Criminology and Psychology.  After college Jessica worked for Gosnold Behavioral Health at the Emerson House before returning to school and earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in 2008. Following her graduation, Jessica worked for 2 years for the Cape & Island’s District Attorney’s Office as a Victim Witness Assistant, working primarily in the Orleans District Court on domestic violence cases.  Jessica started working for the Barnstable Police Department in 2010 as a civilian police advocate.

Jessica states her role has evolved over the 13 years she has been with the department, but her focus has always been on victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Jessica provides follow-up on all incidents of domestic violence reported to the Department and works with sexual assault investigators to support victims. She provides support and information to victims that report to the department, or are thinking of reporting, by providing information about the law enforcement and court process, and resources.  Jessica also oversees all the Barnstable Police Departments Orders of Protection, assists the Prosecution Unit run, and supports teaching about domestic violence and sexual assault for the MPTC to the recruits at the Plymouth Police Academy.

Jessica recognizes that for victims and survivors of crime, the criminal justice system can be confusing, intimidating, and unfair at times, especially when they had no choice in becoming part of it.  Jessica works hard to meet with victims and survivors as a source of information, humanity, and compassion to help them navigate this process.

What Jessica considers a “success” in her work: “Witnessing someone’s resilience guide them to a place where they feel safe, inside and out.”

The team at Children’s Cove appreciates all the work each of these incredible advocates do to support victims of crime in our community. Their help assisting us with supportive services for child and families is invaluable, and we thank each of them for all they do!

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