Children’s place, a safe place

WASILLA — The Children’s Place right outside downtown Wasilla is the Mat-Su Valley’s only child advocacy center, providing a safe place for children affected by a range of crimes. The Frontiersman got an exclusive tour of the facility to show recent developments helping the center meet the growing need for local children.

“Yes, there’s more of a need, but you’re countered with a more efficiency,” Dr. Roger Beck the Children’s Place Director and treasurer said during the tour.

The Children’s Place is a non-profit organization that provides a child-friendly and neutral location for child victims as they are interviewed by law enforcement and child protective services investigators. The main goal is to make the process as comfortable as possible and to avoid causing any further distress. These are called “forensic interviews,” according to their website and are conducted by forensic interview specialists or by one of the criminal investigators with advanced training on the forensic interviewing of child victims/witnesses.

Their mission according to its website, "To offer hope and healing to children and families impacted by child abuse and neglect through a coordinated community response.”

The Children’s Place Family Advocate Melissa Bervin- Fox led the tour. The Children’s Place has several interview rooms and a medical examination room. The examination room looks like a typical pediatrician’s office. Melissa Bervin- Fox said that the professional look and cozy rooms helps build rapport with the children.

“So they know they’re safe,” Melissa Bervin- Fox said.

Recent developments include adding more rooms for interviews and co-locating with the Alaska State Trooper and the Office of Children’s Services, forming a continuum of care that helps minimizing the steps so child victims can have less to deal with as they recuperate. One officer said this center was a “blessing.”

AST has its own section in the quaint yet roomy building. Several Child Abuse Investigation officers are stationed at the Children’s Place. These additions helped improve the center’s overall efficiency, Beck said.

Debbie Bushnell and Dan Kennedy represented the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary and joined the tour on Thursday. Their chapter has been a longtime supporter of the facility, making large donations to support operations and development.

“The community support is what allowed us to make this happen,” Dr. Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, co-founder and medical director, said.

There will be an open house Sept. 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Children’s Place and the public is invited to come see it for themselves. They’re currently looking for two additional board members and nurse practitioner. For more information, call the Children’s Place at: 907-357-5157 or visit their website at: www.thechildrens-place.org