The Child Advocacy Center assists the Department of Human Services and law enforcement agencies in child abuse investigations. In addition, we are willing to assist in interviewing adults with developmental delays. We can only schedule an appointment with the caseworker or law enforcement; we cannot schedule appointments directly with the family.
In addition, you are responsible for coordination with any other agencies involved. In an effort to coordinate the investigation as much as possible to minimize the stress on the child and family, it is STRONGLY preferred that all investigating agencies be present for the interview. At a minimum, those agencies need to have been contacted and invited to participate.
To schedule an appointment, please call the Center at 970-407-9739. Our interview slots are generally 9:00am, 11:30am, and 3:00pm Monday – Friday; however, we will do our best to accommodate other requests.
See current schedule (MDT Members Only)
We conduct victim/witness interviews of children, regardless of their offender status. In an effort to protect the rights of each and every child, if a child is both an alleged victim and offender, we ask that any offender interviews take place prior to alleged victim interviews. Furthermore, when there is alleged sexual contact between siblings, they are not allowed to be at the Center at the same time. Adult alleged offenders are never allowed on the premises.
Please have the following information when scheduling your appointments:
- Child’s name, date of birth, any developmental delays and whether or not they have been to the Center before
- Who will bring the child and are they cooperating with the investigation?
- Reason for the interview/outcry
- Name and relationship of the alleged offender
- Any special accommodations needed (i.e. child or child’s family is Spanish speaking only, child is in a wheelchair, etc.)
How we work with you
Please arrive 20 minutes before your appointment to meet and staff the case with the Forensic Interviewer, Family Support Worker and other MDT members. Once this meeting is complete the group will briefly meet with the non-offending caregiver present and then the interview will begin. Any investigators present view the interview from the observation room. We ask that you meet with the non-offending caregiver after the interview to let them know your next steps, and provide closure to this part of the process.
Training
We offer child interviewing and Minimal Facts training to law enforcement and the Department of Human Services. Please visit our Education and Training page, or contact Doug at doug@larimercac.org or Chris at chris@larimercac.org for more information.
