National Children’s Alliance recognizes Pasco Kids First for its delivery of high quality and effective services to child abuse victims through accreditation

national children allianceNEW PORT RICHEY, FL – Pasco Kids First has been awarded accreditation by National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process. As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) across the country, National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.

Pasco Kids First was established in 1989 with the mission to assist in the protection of children from the devastating effects of child abuse and neglect providing services for 25 years to children and families. Pasco County had more than 5,500 abuse reports in 2014 and Pasco Kids First served 1,200 kids through child abuse assessments or therapy services. As an Accredited Member of National Children’s Alliance, Pasco Kids First is dedicated to providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse. Pasco Kids First is one of 17 accredited CACs in Florida.

National Children’s Alliance awards Accredited Membership based on a CAC’s compliance with 10 national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims. National Children’s Alliance updated these standards in 2010 to reflect the most recent evidence-based practices in the field of child abuse intervention and prevention. According to these standards, Accredited Members must utilize a functioning and effective Multidisciplinary Team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution, and treatment. National Children’s Alliance also considers standards regarding a center’s cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and child focused setting.

“As an organization/team of individuals dedicated to responding to child abuse, we recognize the importance of accreditation from National Children’s Alliance and supporting the Multidisciplinary Team approach. Accreditation not only validates our organization’s proven effective approach to responding to allegations of child abuse, but also provides consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole,” said Rick Hess, Executive Director of Pasco Kids First.

“Pasco Kids First is to be commended for its excellent work serving victims of child abuse. As the national association and accrediting body for Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country, our goal is to ensure that every victim of child abuse has access to high quality services that result from professional collaboration,” remarked Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children’s Alliance.

For more information about Pasco Kids First, email us info@pascokidsfirst.com or contact Becky Bennett at 727-835-7962.

Pasco Kids First is Pasco County’s Children’s Advocacy Center. The mission is to assist in the protection of Pasco County children from the devastating effects of child abuse. In partnership with other community agencies, we provide thorough, accurate assessments and services to children and their families by utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach. Through community education and early intervention, we promote a healthy and nurturing family environment for all of our children.

National Children’s Alliance is the national association and accrediting body for the over 750 children’s advocacy centers serving each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first, National Children’s Alliance provides support and advocacy to its accredited membership, as well as numerous developing centers, multidisciplinary teams and child abuse professionals around the country, and the world. As the national authority on multidisciplinary approaches to supporting child victims of abuse, the purpose of National Children’s Alliance is to empower local communities to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse. Founded in 1998, National Children’s Alliance provides accreditation opportunities, financial assistance, training, technical assistance, research and education to communities, child abuse professionals and children’s advocacy centers throughout the United States in support of child abuse intervention, advocacy and prevention. www.nationalchildrensalliance.org

Group Photo at CAC with Sheriff, Simpson, Jennifer Ohlsen