Aetna Foundation Childrens Center: Child Abuse Services
Child abuse is an overwhelming difficult and complex problem for children and families. The Aetna Foundation Childrens Center provides a supportive environment in which children and families can work together with other agencies to explore what has occurred and to develop a plan for the child and family. In addition, the center works with the community to reduce the risk of child abuse.
The Aetna Foundation Childrens Center is a Childrens Advocacy Center (CAC) affiliated with the National Childrens Alliance, an organization dedicated to assisting families and their children affected by child abuse. The center uses a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation, management and prevention of child abuse to minimize trauma and promote a healthy response.
The purposes of the center are to:
Provide a coordinated, comprehensive response to child abuse in a setting which is child friendly and sensitive to the needs of families;
Minimize additional trauma to child victims of abuse:
Promote case coordination among professionals and agencies;
Track investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases;
Increase community understanding and prevention of child abuse;
Promote child and family recovery from past abuse.
Program Components
The center has multiple services for the evaluation, treatment and prevention of child abuse, working in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, law enforcement agencies, sexual assault crisis services, child and family service agencies, local schools and health professionals. These services include:
Medical Evaluation
Children are examined by experienced health care professionals to ensure good physical health, to identify signs of physical and sexual abuse and to reassure children and families regarding medical status. This evaluation includes assessments for sexually transmitted diseases.
Diagnostic and Forensic Interviews
Interviews are conducted with children who have made statements that indicate that sexual abuse may have occurred. These videotaped interviews, conducted by experienced professionals in collaboration with protective services and law enforcement authorities, are designed to elicit accurate and complete information while minimizing additional trauma to the child. The interviews are performed in a safe, supportive and child friendly atmosphere in a two-room suite, which permits simultaneous observation and critiquing of the interview by others involved in the investigation.
Family Advocate
The family advocate meets with parents to determine which additional services are needed to promote healthy family development. The services available include provision of basic information regarding child abuse, group education and support activities, access to outside resources, referrals to mental health services in the community or interim counseling services at the center.
Prevention Services
The center offers prevention education for parents, teachers, children, child caregivers, and other professionals and community members interested in sexual abuse prevention and child safety. Presentations, training, workshops, videos, written materials, and consultation are available by calling 860-714-5039.
Collaborative Case Management
The staff at the center will arrange, upon request, case management meetings, which may include planning for the investigation, review and assessment of investigation information and determination of disposition. The centers facilities are available for such meetings and, with appropriate planning, center staff can attend meetings at other community facilities.
Appointments and Referrals
Agency and professional inquiries regarding a referral or consultation should be made by calling the service coordinator at 860-714-5864. Case information will be gathered during the phone call and a decision will be made regarding the services which would be most appropriate. To carry out a complete evaluation, the referring agency must provide complete and current information; this usually requires agency staff to be present during the evaluation. At the conclusion of an evaluation, findings will be shared and a written report will be available in several weeks.
Child abuse is an overwhelming difficult and complex problem for children and families. The Aetna Foundation Childrens Center provides a supportive environment in which children and families can work together with other agencies to explore what has occurred and to develop a plan for the child and family. In addition, the center works with the community to reduce the risk of child abuse.
