Trending
PARKERSBURG -- The North Star Child Advocacy Center in Wood County is on pace to exceed 600 interviews for the fourth consecutive year, the executive director announced.
North Star assists law enforcement, Child Protective Services and prosecutors and is focused on the child and non-offending family members and getting them the help and tools they need to heal and be a productive member of the community for as long as needed.
The Child Advocacy Center has conducted 305 interviews as of June 30, Executive Director Greg Collins said. At that rate, the agency again will exceed 600 interviews.
With the numbers being similar to the past three years, the high number of bad cases this year seemed to coalesce at times, Collins said.
"In January for example, the staff saw 64 children in the 20 workdays that occurred that month. Not only was the number of children high, but the stories the children were telling were horrific," Collins said. "It was an onslaught for the staff. One interview after another that was pure evil was coming through the door, it seemed relentless."
To remain composed and ready for the next child was a challenge and a testament to the staff's fortitude, he said.
"I could see by their demeanor that it took all of February to completely recover," he said.
In the first three months of 2023, North Star saw 162 children with the next two months being slightly more moderate, Collins said. June saw another high number with 60 children and an elevated number of nine medical exams, he said.
Forensic interviews and family advocacy are part of what the center does on a daily basis. Court appearances, therapy referrals, hospital calls, medical exams, court liaison appearances to support family and victims in court and transporting people to and from the center when it is needed are among the daily duties.
Ultra detailed reporting and statistics also are a major part of the work because of requirements to maintain the grants that help fund the daily operation of the center, Collins said.
"I think the truly remarkable part of this is that all of this work gets done with just eight people on staff," Collins said.
Five staffers handle all of the cited work, one is part-time for statistics and reporting and two handle business, grants and other issues of running a non-profit, Collins said.
"The people that work here are some of the best you will find anywhere. I couldn't be more proud of them and I will do everything I can to take care of each one of them," Collins said.
The non-profit North Star does not have a consistent form of funding. The center operates on federal and state grants, foundations and donations from the public.