An Efficient, Child-Friendly Model for Child Abuse Investigation

The Child Abuse Network is located in the Children’s Advocacy Center. The 9,600 square foot Center serves as an efficient model to streamline the child abuse investigation process while minimizing trauma to the child.

• Child-Friendly Facility
• Efficient Design for Tulsa’s Child Abuse Investigation Team
• Confidentiality and Information Sharing
• Cost of Services

Contact CAN to learn more about its organization and coordination of the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Child-Friendly Facility

Built in 1992 by the generosity of the Dr. Karl Jurak Foundation, the Children’s Advocacy Center was carefully designed by a team of professionals including architects, interior designers, pediatricians, detectives, social workers and child development specialists. Every detail of the Center, from the skylights to the colors of the walls, was planned so that children and families would feel comforted and safe. The result is a facility with features such as a large aquarium, fireplace, child-sized restroom, skylights, and a special “teddy bear” waiting room.

Efficient Design for Tulsa’s Child Abuse Investigation Team

The Children’s Advocacy Center was specially designed not only for the children and caregivers involved in child abuse investigations, but also for the team of multidisciplinary agencies that investigate child abuse.

The Center provides offices for:

• Child Abuse Network
• Child abuse medical team from the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine – Tulsa Department of Pediatrics
• Investigative intake personnel from the Tulsa County Department of Human Services – Child Welfare
• Tulsa Police Department’s Child Crisis Unit
• Representatives from the District Attorney’s Juvenile and Criminal Divisions

The Center’s efficient design positions all the investigative agencies’ offices around the children’s waiting area. This arrangement results in better communication among team members and helps keep the child everyone’s central concern.

Medical services are provided in two medical evaluation rooms, one of which is specially equipped for younger children with an elephant-shaped exam table and colorful wall hangings.

Forensic interviews are conducted in two interview rooms with adjoining observation rooms, one-way mirrors and state of the art audio and video recording equipment.

Mental health services are provided in an office located down the hall and away from the busy medical exam and interview rooms. A full collection of helpful information and resource pamphlets are located right outside of the offices of the mental health team.