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Organization finds children’s story amid tragedy
By: Kurt Kloeblen, Staff writer
Kurt Kloeblen
Staff writer
In an office just above a Bank of America, the Child Protection Center is a haven for children in the midst of trauma.
The center is the only location where children who report sexual assault or abuse can be interviewed in Jackson and Cass counties. The interviews often are key parts of criminal cases.
Executive Director Julie Donelon has been a part of the organization since its inception in 1996. The center is on track to interview about 800 children this year, which means nearly 35 children and families come through the center’s offices each week.
The center started in Children’s Mercy Hospital but outgrew the space and moved in 2000. Through 1997 the center stood as part of the Children’s Division of the Jackson County court system. In 2005, the center got cut due to a lack of state funding for many programs. For two years, the group survived on other funding but since July 2007 the center has been an independent nonprofit organization.
Donelon said the change to nonprofit has allowed the center to become better structured.
“It has allowed us to go from one and half or two interviewers to three,” Donelon said. “That’s important, because they do more than just interview. They have to prepare to testify, appear at depositions and a host of other duties. There is also definitely a burn out factor of working with these cases.”
The center’s offices are modest. When families come in, there is a small waiting room. Donelon said a parent or caregiver meets with the interviewer first to go over basic information and the process. Children are interviewed for about one hour in the interview room. On the other side of a one-way mirror, representatives from the police department and children’s division watch the interview and can communicate with the interviewer through an ear piece.
Interviews are recorded and often used in investigations or during trials.
Donelon said that years ago children used to be interviewed by multiple sources, often having to talk about their sexual abuse many times. Now children only have to tell their story once.
“Our interviewers are trained not to ask any questions that are leading,” Donelon said. “We never ask about anything that’s not in the file. It’s very important to make sure we are asking the right questions so we let the children answer the questions without any suggestion.”
If a child is uncomfortable talking in the interview room setting, there is a clinical area where the interviewer can talk with a child but also allow for the child to play. In both cases, anatomically correct drawings and dolls are available to children to use to show different touches or incidents.
While the children are being interviewed, parents, family mem-
CENTER LOOKING TO EXPAND, 6A
bers and caregivers also receive crisis intervention support from staff, including an explanation of the process, resources and other needed material.
“This is a time of turmoil for most families,” Donelon said. “Many times the person accused may be a provider for the family, so they might be without income or support like child care. We offer support and assistance to getting services like child care or food stamps.”
Donelon said the center would like to move to a bigger, more child-friendly space by the end of the year. To do that, however, the organization must raise $375,000.
The new space would have 5,400 square feet, compared to the current 2,100 square feet and allow for three interview rooms. The organization would need to furnish the office and provide necessary equipment as well.
Donelon said since the center has only been nonprofit for a little more than a year, she is trying to find a space on the philanthropy radar.
“There are a lot of great organizations that have been around for a long time,” Donelon said. “We have a lot of great people that are helping us. We have some people hosting cocktail parties and introducing our organization to their friends. And we have given plenty of tours to people who want to see what we do.”
DONATING
Those interested in donating to the Children’s Protection Center can visit www.cpckc.org or mail a donation to 3100 Main St., Kansas City, MO, 64111.
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Staff writer
In an office just above a Bank of America, the Child Protection Center is a haven for children in the midst of trauma.
The center is the only location where children who report sexual assault or abuse can be interviewed in Jackson and Cass counties. The interviews often are key parts of criminal cases.
Executive Director Julie Donelon has been a part of the organization since its inception in 1996. The center is on track to interview about 800 children this year, which means nearly 35 children and families come through the center’s offices each week.
The center started in Children’s Mercy Hospital but outgrew the space and moved in 2000. Through 1997 the center stood as part of the Children’s Division of the Jackson County court system. In 2005, the center got cut due to a lack of state funding for many programs. For two years, the group survived on other funding but since July 2007 the center has been an independent nonprofit organization.
Donelon said the change to nonprofit has allowed the center to become better structured.
“It has allowed us to go from one and half or two interviewers to three,” Donelon said. “That’s important, because they do more than just interview. They have to prepare to testify, appear at depositions and a host of other duties. There is also definitely a burn out factor of working with these cases.”
The center’s offices are modest. When families come in, there is a small waiting room. Donelon said a parent or caregiver meets with the interviewer first to go over basic information and the process. Children are interviewed for about one hour in the interview room. On the other side of a one-way mirror, representatives from the police department and children’s division watch the interview and can communicate with the interviewer through an ear piece.
Interviews are recorded and often used in investigations or during trials.
Donelon said that years ago children used to be interviewed by multiple sources, often having to talk about their sexual abuse many times. Now children only have to tell their story once.
“Our interviewers are trained not to ask any questions that are leading,” Donelon said. “We never ask about anything that’s not in the file. It’s very important to make sure we are asking the right questions so we let the children answer the questions without any suggestion.”
If a child is uncomfortable talking in the interview room setting, there is a clinical area where the interviewer can talk with a child but also allow for the child to play. In both cases, anatomically correct drawings and dolls are available to children to use to show different touches or incidents.
While the children are being interviewed, parents, family mem-
CENTER LOOKING TO EXPAND, 6A
bers and caregivers also receive crisis intervention support from staff, including an explanation of the process, resources and other needed material.
“This is a time of turmoil for most families,” Donelon said. “Many times the person accused may be a provider for the family, so they might be without income or support like child care. We offer support and assistance to getting services like child care or food stamps.”
Donelon said the center would like to move to a bigger, more child-friendly space by the end of the year. To do that, however, the organization must raise $375,000.
The new space would have 5,400 square feet, compared to the current 2,100 square feet and allow for three interview rooms. The organization would need to furnish the office and provide necessary equipment as well.
Donelon said since the center has only been nonprofit for a little more than a year, she is trying to find a space on the philanthropy radar.
“There are a lot of great organizations that have been around for a long time,” Donelon said. “We have a lot of great people that are helping us. We have some people hosting cocktail parties and introducing our organization to their friends. And we have given plenty of tours to people who want to see what we do.”
DONATING
Those interested in donating to the Children’s Protection Center can visit www.cpckc.org or mail a donation to 3100 Main St., Kansas City, MO, 64111.