LAST WEEKS SPEAKER - GENE KLEIN

 

Under his leadership, Project Harmony has become the model collaborative for effective child abuse prevention, response and treatment. This Child Advocacy Center , is co-located with over 220 professionals from the fields of law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, advocacy, and mental health, and medical,  representing city, county, state, federal government entities working with non-profit agencies creating a one-stop response to  child abuse investigations and treatment.  In addition, Project Harmony  In addition, Project Harmony provides critical coordination of the community wide Multidisciplinary Team for all child abuse investigations and treatment.  provides critical coordination of the community wide Multidisciplinary Team for all child abuse investigations and treatment.  

 

At the beginning of his comments, Gene noted that before Project Harmony, a child would be transported from one agency to another, many times in a police car, which was at times traumatizing and embarrassing.  Project Harmony had 2500 children under 18 years old pass through their agency.

 

Gene also noted that 80 percent of the children, mostly about 2 years processed by the agency had traces of drugs in their system.  The Child Savings Institute cares for children going through the project.  The agency is working to have children cared by extended family members or other familiar parties in their life who have been properly screened.  There are overnight facilities at Project Harmony for children   Following ins a summary of their services:  A child friendly environment, forensic interviews, interview observations by law and social services to prevent trauma from multiple interviews, medical exams, Child and Family Advocacy Services, Team case staffing and review, Training and Communicity Education and a Triage Center for children in immediate need.