State officials joined Delaware County representatives Monday at Delaware Opportunities headquarters in Hamden for the unveiling of the Delaware County Child Advocacy Center, a first-of-its-kind mobile unit to be deployed in response to claims of physical or sexual abuse of children.

Child advocacy centers bring together child protective services, law enforcement, medical providers, advocacy and therapeutic resources to streamline services available to children and families who come forward with allegations of abuse or mistreatment.

“The ultimate goal is to be able to better serve the children of Delaware County who are victims of abuse and to help them heal,” said Dana Scuderi-Hunter, director of the Delaware County Department of Social Services.

Though not required by law, the majority of New York’s counties operate child advocacy centers in an effort to limit further trauma inflicted upon children who report instances of abuse.

Delaware County is the first in the state to receive a mobile unit, part of a $4.45 million state investment to improve services for child victims. Each of the seven counties included in the award was granted $250,000 for the purchase of customized mobile units and $50,000 a year for three years to cover operation and maintenance costs, according to a media release.

Shelly Bartow, executive director of Delaware Opportunities, said the state embraced the mobile center model in recognition of transportation as a significant barrier to many in need of services. It is an issue of particular relevance in Delaware County, which does not operate a public transit system.

“Where a child lives should not affect the quality or accessibility of services available for victims of abuse,”  said Elizabeth Cronin, director of the state Office of Victim Services. “This custom-built mobile home unit will ensure that no matter where a child abuse victim lives in Delaware County, they will have a safe and convenient place to access services in their own community.”

The mobile CAC will be brought to confidential, discreet locations near the homes of children who report instances of abuse, eliminating the need for families to travel long distances to connect with resources, Bartow said.

The center makes use of every available inch in the 30-foot RV, which has a handicapped-accessible entrance and restroom. 

The unit contains a waiting area stocked with games and activities, and at the rear is an interview area, furnished in subdued tones of gray to provide a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere, according to Trish Tyrell, staff development coordinator at the Delaware County Department of Social Services.

Staff members have already conducted a few interviews in the room, which will be outfitted with soundproof material in the coming weeks, she said.

“The children liked the fact that it was something different,” Scuderi-Hunter said.

The interviews are recorded by closed-circuit cameras for observation or future reference by law enforcement or legal counsel, part of a multidisciplinary team that deploys in response to allegations of child abuse.

“We’re all working together to ensure children can tell their story, but only have to do it once,” Bartow said.

The initiative to better serve children and families of rural communities was funded through a partnership between the state offices of Victim Services and Children and Family Services, Scuderi-Hunter said.

Operating a child advocacy center is best practice, Scuderi-Hunter said. Prior to receiving the state grant, Delaware County was one of a handful of counties upstate without a CAC of its own.

In the absence of a center, Delaware County provided transportation for children and families in its care to CACs in neighboring counties, including Broome, Chenango and Otsego, Tyrell said, but the trip can take several hours and cause more stress, and each visit is subject to the center’s availability.

Plans for the CAC began over a decade ago, Scuderi-Hunter said. “We’re fortunate to have this service. This is a gift for us, and we want to make the most of this unit.”

Delaware Opportunities has been the recipient of state funding for several years, Bartow said, and going forward the organization intends to request additional funds for the continued maintenance of the CAC beyond the initial three-year grant.

Establishing a permanent location remains a long-term goal of the center, Bartow said, but given Delaware County’s expansive territory, opening a brick-and-mortar establishment would not negate the need for a mobile unit.

“It is very important work. We’re going to make this county proud and we’re going to help children,” Scuderi-Hunter said.

Sarah Eames, staff writer, can be reached at seames@thedailystar.com or 607-441-7213. Follow her @DS_SarahE on Twitter.

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