The Southwest Family Advocacy Center collaborates with Law Enforcement from the City of Goodyear, City of Avondale, the City of Buckeye, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office; the Department of Child Safety, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Scottsdale Healthcare, Childhelp, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office regarding investigation, treatment, management and prosecution of interpersonal violent crimes.

 

The Southwest Family Advocacy Center is a child and family focused, facility-based program in which representatives from many disciplines, including law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy, work together to conduct interviews and make team decisions about investigation, treatment, management and prosecution of child abuse cases, sexual assault, domestic violence and elder abuse. They also work to prevent further victimization of children.

 

The Southwest Family Advocacy Center is committed to coordinating and tracking investigative, prosecutorial, child protection, advocacy, and treatment efforts so that a case does not "fall through the cracks". We are dedicated to preventing abuse through comprehensive primary prevention approaches that reduce vulnerability to victimization, reduce offending behaviors, increase the positive influence of bystanders, and address conditions in society that perpetuate violence and abuse.

 

The National Children's Alliance is a membership organization dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient – and put the needs of child victims first.

 

The Southwest Family Advocacy Center is a member of The Arizona Child and Family Network (ACFAN) and an Accredited Member of the National Children's Alliance,  The center is funded and administered by the municipalities and police departments of Avondale, Buckeye and Goodyear and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office through the County of Maricopa.

 

The Southwest Family Advocacy Center is dedicated to reducing the stress victims experience by:

 

• Ensuring victims are treated with respect and dignity throughout the investigative process.

 

• Performing forensic interviews and medical exams in a friendly and safe environment.

 

• Minimizing trauma and re-victimization by limiting the number of interviews and medical examinations of victims.

 

• Providing counseling referrals and therapy and advocate services to assist victims and their families.

 

• Improving the lives of crime victims by promoting a multi-disciplinary team approach to abuse investigations.

 

 

Outcome Measurement System

 

The Southwest Family Advocacy Center participates in the Outcome Measurement System (OMS) to evaluate our advocacy center program.  The evaluation identifies service areas that can be improved; it also evaluates the collaborative efforts of the multidisciplinary team (MDT).  OMS allows us to report on two measurable outcomes:  the SWFAC facilitates healing for the child and caregivers and the MDT approach results in more collaborative and efficient case investigations.

 

 

Caregiver Survey Results:

 

• 94% believed their child felt safe at the advocacy center.

• 100% believed their questions were answered to their satisfaction.

• 100% felt that after their visit to the center, they know what to expect with the situation facing their family.

• 100% believed that overall, the staff at the center was friendly and pleasant.

 

 

Client feedback and responses to "What did you appreciate the most about your experience at the Center?"

 

"The center is a single safe place to have all necessary steps completed and not have my children traumatized further."

 

"I appreciated the genuine care and support that was shown towards my son's safety and well-being; as well as for us as his caretakers."

 

"The one-on-one time that was spent with me and how clearly everything eas explained is what I appreciated."

 

"I could clearly hear my child interacting happily with staff in the playroom."

 

"I appreciated the staff's kindness, professionalism, and their compassion."

 

"My child was content and felt reassured."

 

"Staff was very attentive to my concerns."