Kids' Harbor, Inc.

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 411 children and their families during 2008.

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.

About Kids' Harbor

Kids’ Harbor, with locations in Osage Beach and St. Robert, MO is a multifunctional program responding to reports of child abuse.  Agency representatives from Law Enforcement and Children’s Division coordinate their investigation and treatment services with prosecuting attorneys, physicians, nurse practitioners, and therapists from a single location.  We serve ten counties in our region: Camden, Dent, Hickory, Laclede, Maries, Miller, Morgan, Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas.