The YWCA CARE House is the only child advocacy center in Rock County, providing a safe haven for abused children to be interviewed. Interviews are conducted by a multi-disciplinary team, which includes: YWCA, law enforcement, district attorney’s office, Child Protective Services, Victim Witness, and when necessary, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
The CARE House also provides support groups and resources for child victims of sexual and physical abuse, neglect, witness to a crime, drug endangerment, and human trafficking.
YWCA CARE House | Child Advocacy Center
YWCA Rock County Care House is nationally accredited through the National Children Alliance Organization
CARE House Services
A safe and youth-friendly environment to conduct forensic child abuse interviews
A support group for youth victims of abuse
A resource room and lending library
Presentations and tours to community groups
A place to call with child abuse questions
How Forensic interviews Work
When a child is interviewed at the CARE House, a professionally trained interviewer asks open-ended questions and works to re-assure the child, making sure that child knows they are not in trouble.
The interview takes place in a room designed specifically for that purpose in a calm and neutral setting.
Members of a multi-disciplinary team observe the process on a monitor from a nearby viewing room. The forensic interviews are recorded, which then becomes part of evidence and may be used in court proceedings.
During the interview, non-offending parents and/or caregivers wait in the family room with a CARE House Child/Family Advocate. This is an opportunity for family members to ask questions, share concerns and reduce anxiety. The Child/Family Advocate brings comfort and care to a family during this difficult time.
Following the child’s interview, parents are briefed on basic details of the interview and are given the next steps in this process.
Follow-Ups and Referrals
After the interview, CARE House Child/Family Advocates may make referrals to individual or family counseling. The advocates also regularly follow-up with families. An advocate may also connect families with other helpful community agencies as needed. For more information about local services, please contact YWCA CARE Forensic Interviewer: Jamie Dieckhoff (608)352-2016 ext. 260 or jdieckhoff@ywcarockco.com
Client-Based Services
Case management: Focuses on education and referral to community resources and services.
Individual counseling: The Fire Within Counseling program helps youth on their path to healing and reminds them that despite their past trauma, they have the inner strength to heal and thrive.
Multidisciplinary Team Survey: Take the Survey
Initial Visit Caregiver Survey: Take the Survey
Caregiver Follow-Up Survey: Take the Survey
CARE House Program Priorities
This program is designed to lay the groundwork for success by focusing on three priorities.
Trauma is decreased to the child through a goal of each child only interviewed one time
Connecting to Community Resources
Trauma informed Care Approach