FAMILY ADVOCACY
Our specially trained team of Family Advocates helps navigate children and their protective family members through the overwhelming process of dealing with a case of child abuse. From initial outcry all the way through prosecution, our Family Advocates are there to help families understand the process and successfully access needed resources in our community.
Families are referred to our program through our partners in the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and local law enforcement agencies.
All services are provided at no cost to the family and can include:
- Case management
- Resource referrals
- Court preparation
- Financial assistance
- Emergency needs
- Assistance completing Crimes Victims' Compensation applications
Families are also supported through special programs including:
- Backpack to School Connection
- Camp B.L.U.E
- The Makeover Project
- Next Steps
- Christmas Connection
For more information about our Family Advocate program, please contact Samantha Torrance.
FORENSIC INTERVIEWS
The Alliance For Children Forensic Interview Team assists Tarrant County law enforcement and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services by conducting specialized investigative interviews of children. The goal of a forensic interview is to gather pertinent information from children in a neutral, non-leading, and legally defensible manner.
The forensic interview allows our partners to observe as the interview is taking place. This lessens the trauma to victims while sharing their story in a developmentally appropriate and trauma-sensitive setting. The forensic interview can be a key component not only to the investigation but to decisions related to criminal prosecution of offenders and safety decisions for families. The Forensic Interviewer does not make investigative case decisions, but may make referrals for additional services or resources for families.
For more information about our Forensic Interview program, please contact Samantha Torrance.
CLINICAL SERVICES
Alliance For Children offers both individual and group counseling services free of charge to confirmed victims of child abuse and their protective family members.
Our clinical counseling staff work closely with clients to determine an individualized treatment program for each child. Counseling modalities utilized include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through individual and group counseling, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.
It is not unusual for a child to experience the following after a traumatic event has occurred:
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Sadness
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Poor grades
- Fearfulness
- Drug/alcohol use
- Self-harm
Although these can be normal reactions to abuse, it is important for children to learn healthy ways of coping in order to decrease these symptoms. Even if a child does not exhibit any symptoms, it can be extremely beneficial for them to speak with a trained professional to process what happened in order to make sure children understand and feel safe expressing their feelings. With the support of a protective caregiver and effective treatment, a child can recover without long-term negative effects.
Our therapy programs are offered in both English and Spanish. For more information about our Clinical Program, please email Barell Morgan.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM COORDINATION
Alliance For Children partners with 41 Tarrant County law enforcement agencies, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Cook Children’s® Health Care System, JPS Health Network, Texas Health Resources, Tarrant County Juvenile Services, and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. All of these agencies work together at Alliance For Children centers to reduce trauma to child abuse victims during an investigation and to improve their agencies’ responses to children who are often frightened and hurting. As a result of the collaboration, investigators and detectives are able to complete investigations in a more timely fashion, case information is stronger for investigative decision-making, and children and protective caregivers are more likely to benefit from available services.
Collaborating partner agencies include:
Azle ISD Police Department
Castleberry ISD Police Department
Cook Children's® Medical Center
Crowley Independent School District
Dalworthington Gardens Police Department
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Grand Prairie Police Department
Mansfield Independent School District Police Department
Military Criminal Investigative Organizations
North Richland Hills Police Department
Pelican Bay Police Department
Richland Hills Police Department
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office
Tarrant County Juvenile Services
Tarrant County Sheriff's Office
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Westover Hills Police Department
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES
Alliance For Children is committed to providing high-quality prevention education and awareness programs in our community. All of our educational and community outreach is designed to empower adults and children to prevent child abuse. Our team of educators believe that, through prevention, we can raise awareness of the issue of child abuse and lessen the number of victims in Tarrant County.
Community Outreach and Education
General Presentations are conducted to raise awareness of the issue of child abuse, learn more about our multidisciplinary team and what Alliance For Children’s unique role in Tarrant County community. These presentations can range in length from 15 minutes up to 1 hour.
For more information about our Outreach and Training program, please email education@allianceforchildren.org.