Kids' Harbor, Inc.

PRESIDENTS PROPOSED FEDERAL BUDGET REDUCES FUNDING FOR CRIME VICTIM PROGRAMS

2008 will see some severe cuts to VOCA victim assistance grants. Congress proposes lowering the VOCA cap, maximum amout of Victims of Crime Act funding available, from $625 million to $590 million. Because of increases in funding of some VOCA programs and new rules allowing administrative costs being assessed against the Fund for the first time, state VOCA assistanc egrants could be cut by as much as $81 million. That would be on top of the $25 million cut suffered in 2007.

How does this impact Kids' Harbor, Inc? Our two advocates are funded by a VOCA grant.

Please contact our federal legislators and let them know if they go through with the proposed cuts, not only Kids' Harbor but a majority of the programs that work with crime victims will be forced to cut back their services. The funds impacted are not tax dollars, bu fines collected by federal courts. Those running for office should be asked where they stand on these cuts as well.

Senator Christopher S. Bond

SR 274 Russell Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C.  20515

202-224-5715

bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Claire McCaskill

SH 717 Hart Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20515

202-224-6154

mccaskill.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Representative Ike Skelton

2206 Rayburn Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20515

202-225-2876

http://www.house.gov/skelton

Representative Kenny C. Hulshof

409 Cannon Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20515

202-225-2956

http://hulshof.house.gov

SAVE THE DATE: 2008 GOLF CLASSIC

Seasons Ridge Golf Tournament 2008

June 29, 2008

4- Person Scramble

For further information Contact Brooklyn @ 573-348-6886 

Central Bank Presentation

On January 10^th, 2008 Central Bank made a donation of $2,500.00 to Kids’ Harbor. The check will be used to continue providing service at both of our locations in Osage Beach and St. Robert. Vice President of Central Bank, Chad Doerhoff presented the check to Kids’ Harbor director Darrel Ashlock.  Chad is also part of Kids’ Harbor board of directors serving as treasure. Many thanks Central Bank for your continual support of our organization.

HO HO HO....Santa Clause came to town! 2007 Christmas Parade.

orChilly afternoon weather and a light drizzling rain did not deter people from coming out to see and  participate in the 23rd annual Lake Area Christmas Parade. Despite the cold, wet conditions Saturday, most of the parking spaces along the Bagnell Dam Strip were filled, which produced a fairsized crowd that sparsely lined the street. Grand Marshal of the parade Governer Matt Blunt walked the main drag and shook hands with parade goers.  The parade route started near Bentley's Restaurant on Business Highway 54 and ended at the Bagnell Dam. Santa rolled down the street in true lake fashion in a red and white 40-foot 400 SS Formula boat with all the trimmings decorated special for the event.   Two seats were autioned off for children to ride along with Santa. The excited winners were two 4 year old kids from Camdenton. All the proceeds that came from the parade and autioned seats were donated to Kids' Harbor. The Grand total is still pending! The parade float winner was Santa himself on his boat. 2nd place went to Kids' harbors kid friendly float with a giant box of crayons!  

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Pictures Left to Right: Back of the Kids' Harbor Parade Float. Banner of the supporters and contributors to the Christmas Parade on the side of our float. Justin and Josh Gerdiman riding on the float on the cold and rainy day. Kids' Harbor Too Advocate Gary Northrip. Kids' Harbor staff eagerly awaiting the parade float to be judged...Then won 2nd place.

Gov. Blunt Commends the Facility

Local mayors, law enforcement officials and chamber of commerce directors gathered at Kids' Harbor on December 8th to greet Governor Matt Blunt to give him a tour of the facility before addressing more than 30 people. "Kids' Harbor is a shining example of Missourians working together to protect our children and make our state an even better place to call home," Blunt said. "The orginzation meets a very real need." Impressed with the new facility, the governor commended everone involved with Kids' Harbor for the developing an innovative and passionate solution.  

 

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Photos Left to Right: Kids' Harbor Advocate, Gary Northrip, Kids' Harbor Director, Darrell Ashlock, and Governer Blunt. Kids' Harbor medical assistant Rita Helvey, showing Governer Blunt the SAFE care exam room. Kids' Harbor Director, Darrell Ashlock and Governer Blunt. Governer Blunt speaki ng at Kid's Harbor. Justin Gerdiman talking to Governer Blunt.                                                                                          

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Injury Center has developed Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations: Getting Started on policies and Procedures to assist youth-serving organizations as they begin to adopt prevention strategies for child sexual abuse.  The guide identifies six key components to child sexual abuse prevention and includes prevention goals and critical strategies for each component.

Our Mission

Our mission at Kids' Harbor is to provide a child-friendly atmosphere for children who may be victims of neglect, sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

Our center provides an environment for child victims and their families that facilitates expert psychological, medical and legal services without further traumatizing the child.  The center works to organize the efforts of local and regional experts in the evaluation, treatment, prevention and prosecution of child abuse.

About Child Sexual Abuse in Our Area

The area served by Kids’ Harbor has a higher-than-average rate of child abuse and neglect.  According to <a href="http://www.kidscount.org/">Kids Count 2006</a>, the average rate per county for child abuse was 40.5 incidences per 1,000 children.  Kids' Harbor provided services to 337 children and their families during 2006.

Here's the average number of child abuse and neglect cases reported in the counties we serve:

Dent         57.4
Morgan     58.4
Miller       63.7
Camde     48.9
Laclede    59.5
Phelps      46.7
Hickory      n/a
Pulaski     39.2
Maries      38.4
Texas       73.0

Contact Kids' Harbor Staff

Darrel Ashlock,  Executive Director
573-348-6886

Michelle Russum, LPC, Counselor
573-348-6886

Gary Northrip, Senior Child and Family Advocate - Kids’ Harbor Too
573-336-8634

Cara Gerdiman, Child and Family Advocate
573-348-6886 

Brooklyn Braun, Community Coordinator/ Prevention Specialist
573-348-6886

Dr. Samuel Brayfield, DO, Safe/Care Physician
573-348-6886

Dr. Janet Akremi, MD, Safe/Care Physician-Kids Harbor Too
573-336-8634

Rita Helvey, Medical Assistant
573-348-6886

Kristin Allison, Forensic Interviewer, Kids Harbor Too
573-336-8634

Services We Provide

Forensic Interviews

Forensic Interviews are conducted by a specially skilled Forensic Interviewer who has been trained to talk to children in a non leading manner.  The Forensic Interviewer is aware of child development issues and the investigative process. 

Forensic Interviews are conducted in a child friendly room by the Forensic Interviewer and the child.  Multidisciplinary team members are welcome to attend and observe the interview from a separate room while the interview is taking place.   

Advocate Services

The advocate greets the child and their caregiver upon arrival at the facility and offers caring support and assistance to the child and their non offending caregivers.  Advocates provide court preparation, court support, referrals to mental health services, and assistance in applying for benefits from Crime Victims Compensation.   

The advocate works as part of the multidisciplinary team to schedule and coordinate interviews and case reviews with law enforcement, Children’s Division, Juvenile Office, Prosecuting Attorneys, and medical personnel.  Advocates also provide case updates to the child and their non offending caregivers 

Safe/Care Exams

Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations and Child Abuse Resource and Education (SAFE/CARE) are also provided at Kids Harbor by a specially trained physician and nurse.  A non-invasive video colposcope is used in the exam in order to minimize trauma to the child.

Counseling Program

Therapy is available to all children and their non-offending family members seen at Kids’ Harbor.  Advocates work to coordinate the best counseling referral either through our own counselor free of charge, or through a referral to another community counseling agency.