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Award will help upgrade recording technology used to help document, investigate, prosecute child abuse cases

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 5, 2016) – Family & Children’s Place received a $10,325 grant from the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County (HFFC). The award will be used to upgrade digital recording technology used in the New Albany office to aid in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases in Southern Indiana.

The Southern Indiana Child Advocacy Center is the only comprehensive, child friendly treatment and evaluation center in a five county area. Following an allegation of sexual abuse, the child sits down with a licensed, specially trained forensic interviewer who, using trauma-informed methodology, asks the child neutral questions to help determine what might have occurred.

The interview is digitally recorded and viewed remotely by law enforcement and child protective services to aid in the investigation. A copy of the recorded interview also is provided to police and prosecutors. The New Albany center helped 404 children last year, 202 from Floyd County, a 115 percent increase over 2014.

“This technology is vital in our battle against child abuse,” said Pam Darnall, president and CEO of Family & Children’s Place. “This grant from the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County ensures we have the very best tools available to deal with these sad cases.

“Without critical evidence captured and collected by this technology during these interviews to corroborate children’s allegations and memories, too many people who hurt children might walk free,” she added.

Along with the digital recording, the center provides a multidisciplinary approach to protecting children by bringing together law enforcement, prosecutors, child protective services, pediatric medical professionals, forensic interviewers, family advocates and counselors to provide a holistic approach and response to intervention, prevention and healing for child victims of sexual abuse and their families.

The Southern Indiana Child Advocacy Center is housed within the Family & Children’s Place New Albany office at 2818 Grant Line Rd.

The Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County (HFFC) is a private foundation, created to benefit the Floyd County community.   The Foundation’s philanthropic focus traditionally falls into the categories of grant making to charitable nonprofit organizations, educational scholarships, and program related investments, which encourage economic development. Horseshoe Southern Indiana is the sole contributor of funds to the Foundation.

Pictured, top, Mary Beth Kerekes, director of Institutional and Planned Giving, receives the check from Foundation Treasurer Brad Siegel. Bottom, Vice President of Philanthropy JT Henderson and Jerry Finn, executive director of the Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County. 

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About Family & Children’s Place
Family & Children’s Place protects Kentuckiana children, families and communities from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and helps move them from hurting to healing.  We serve nearly 5,000 children and families annually through trauma-informed and impact-evident services.  For more information about Family and Children’s Place, visit www.famchildplace.org or call 502-893-3900.