Yes We CAN Advocate–A CAN Success Story: A Partnership Ahead
The following success story has been modified to keep confidential identifying information protected:
Recently a linkage agreement/MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Executive Director of the Family Safety Center and the Child Advocacy Center – Child Abuse Network. The following is a list of the services the Family Safety Center already provides for families:
- Assistance with Emergency Protective Orders
- Assistance with Law Enforcement Reports
- Camp HOPE (Camp for children who have experienced trauma through Abuse/Neglect)
- Chaplain services
- Civil and legal assistance and advice
- Counseling referrals for adults
- Elder Abuse
- Forensic Medicals
- Interpretation Services
- Referrals for children
- Referrals for immigrations services
- Referrals to safe, confidential emergency shelters
- Resources (food, emergency housing needs etc.
- Safety and prevention education
The Family Safety Center will be our neighbors in the future with the property they purchased across from our new building. Family Advocates will be able to send participants and families over when they need these services. This will eliminate the hesitation to access these services, and the transportation barrier. Family Advocates will be able to walk over with families and complete a “warm hand off” approach to access FSC services. This partnership began with the Manager of Family Advocacy meeting with the Director of Camp Hope at FSC and the Vice Chair of OCAT (Oklahoma Coalition Against Human Trafficking). The Family Advocacy program continues to grow by creating more partnerships, therefor leading to more seamless services and referrals for families to access resources. The more partnerships we build the better it will be for the children and families we serve and the more pathways to hope we can build with them.
