Calhoun/Cleburne Children's Center

With the belief in the rights of all children to be protected and to have a safe and nurturing childhood, it is the mission of the Calhoun/Cleburne Children’s Center, Inc. to provide sensitive, supportive, and expert professional interventions and assistance to sexually and physically abused children through a multi-disciplinary approach. The Calhoun/Cleburne Children’s Center was formed in 1996, and was one of the first child advocacy centers in the country. Since its formation, Calhoun and Cleburne Counties have developed an inter-agency protocol which mandates that all child sexual abuse and severe physical abuse allegations be referred to the Children’s Center, where the children can be interviewed by one person, in a safe and friendly environment, while the investigative team observes. This method of handling child abuse cases has led to children being able to give more information, to the sharing of information by the investigating agencies, and the ultimate prosecution of increasing numbers of perpetrators. The Center has also added therapeutic and family advocate services.  This not only reduces trauma during the process, but promotes healing for the entire family.