Help support the mission of our children’s advocacy center
Vision:
All children in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit will be provided with Increased community resources to assist survivors through the process of healing from child abuse and maltreatment to sustain positive health through emotional and physical supports.
Mission:
The mission of Helen’s Haven Children’s Advocacy Center is to reduce trauma of youth in a safe, non-threatening, child-friendly environment for the evaluation of suspected child abuse and provide supported healing to the client and non-offending caregivers.
History:
Helen’s Haven Children’s Advocacy Center opened in May 2005 to provide child advocacy services to the counties of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit including Bryan, Evans, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Tattnall counties.
Helen’s Haven was named to honor Mrs. Helen E. Stanford, a child advocate and community leader for over 50 years. Mrs. Stanford retired after 30 years of service to the State of Georgia and was the Director of the Liberty County Department of Family and Children Services for 26 years. Prior to becoming the director, Mrs. Stanford was a case worker in the area of eligibility and child welfare services.
In 1985, Congressman Robert E. “Bud” Cramer (AL) then a District Attorney, organized an effort to create a better system to help abused children. The child advocacy center model developed through Congressman Cramer’s vision pulls together law enforcement, criminal justice, child protective services, medical, and mental health workers into once coordinated team.
Helen’s Haven Children’s Advocacy Center is an Accredited Member of the National Children’s Alliance and a full member center of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia, Inc.
Benefits of a Children’s Advocacy Center:
*Abuse allegations are investigated more thoroughly (through forensic video interview)
*Professionals receive specialized training, therefore making informed decisions
*Cases are more thoroughly managed and coordinated
*Services are provided by trauma-informed professionals
*Trauma experienced by children is reduced
*Offenders are held accountable
*Children receive specialized services
*Non-offending caregivers are empowered
*Community members are educated and become more aware of the child abuse and maltreatment
*Access to community resources is increased through local and regional partnerships
Specialized Therapy Services including:
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: TF-CBT is an evidence-based therapy model proven successful with children and adolescents (ages 3-18) who have significant emotional and behavioral symptoms consistent with post traumatic stress disorder. TF-CBT is a conjoint child and parent/caregiver therapy approach for children and adolescents who are experiencing significant emotional and behavioral difficulties as a result of experiencing trauma. Children and parents learn new skills to help process thoughts and feelings related to trauma; manage and resolve distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the trauma; and enhance safety, parenting skills, and family communication.
STEP Parenting: STEP is an evidence-based and a family-center treatment for children ages 2-7 with disruptive behaviors and is also used with abused and at-risk children ages 2-12. Parent/caregivers learn skills and strategies to enhance the parent-child relationship and promotes positive behaviors in children.
Community Prevention and Awareness:
Helen’s Haven Children’s Advocacy Center provides community outreach and training on a wide range of topics including but not limited to:
Mandated Reporter Training of Child Abuse
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness