Our Program
What We Do
Children’s Tree House (CTH) Children’s Advocacy Center effectively protects the children of the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit by providing one centralized, state-of-the-art location for consolidating the investigative, prosecuting, social services, medical, and mental health professionals into one collaborative effort for abused children.
Child victims of suspected abuse, exploitation, and/or witness to violent crimes undergo forensic interviews by trained and certified forensic interviewers. All interviews are evaluated by a multidisciplinary team comprised of investigative and other child welfare professionals.
The Forensic Medical Exam Program is facilitated by two Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) and provides immediate medical evaluation for victims of sexual and physical abuse. Through a partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the SANEs receive supervision from a Pediatric Forensic Pathologist and Child Abuse Specialists using telemedicine equipment.
All services are provided at no cost to the victim and their families in a child friendly environment. Trauma focused counseling is provided for all victims and/or non-offending caregivers regardless of ability to pay.
CTH’s multidisciplinary approach brings together seven core disciplines:
- Department of Family and Children Services
- Law enforcement
- Mental health professionals
- Medical treatment providers
- School system
- District Attorney’s Office
- Child Advocacy Center
Who We Serve
CTH Child Advocacy Center serves child victims of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, sex trafficking, exploitation, neglect, and witness to homicide and violent crimes. The children served by CTH are 0-17 years of age and are located within the six-county Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, including Fort Benning military installation. CTH also serves adults 18 years of age and older with developmental disabilities.
Additional Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988.
For immediate access to routine or crisis services, please call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225. GCAL is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to help you or someone you care for in a crisis. There is also a myGCAL app available for iPhone and android users: www.georgiacollaborative.com
Please know that our staff are here for you during this stressful and uncertain time. If you are need of immediate assistance or if your child is having a mental health emergency or crisis, please call 911.
If you feel the need to speak to our on-call counselor you may reach them at 706-505-5130. If you are unable to reach your child’s therapist through the above methods, our office on-call number is 706-577-5987. These numbers and email will be monitored daily.
Children and families in Georgia can also count on the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline for help. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with professional crisis counselors who have access to a database of tens of thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. The service is available to anyone with a telephone: children who face confusion, parents in despair, mandatory reporters and other adults who are uncertain about the next best step when faced with questions related to abuse and neglect.
All calls are anonymous. Contact them at 1.800.4.A.CHILD (1.800.422.4453).
Our Goals
- To reduce the number of child abuse interviews for the victim by developing collaboration between government agencies
- To improve the legal process for non-offending caregivers by moving the investigation along and resulting in fewer foster care placements for abused children
- To provide an atmosphere where a legally sound forensic interview can take place, which can increase confessions, prosecution rates, and convictions for perpetrators
- To keep the child victim at the center of all services, and reduce the potential trauma caused by abuse and to keep the focus on the needs of the child victim
Accreditation
- National Children’s Alliance (NCA)
- Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia (CACGA)
- Council on Accreditation (COA)
- United Way
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Telemedicine Program
- Regional medical centers
This program is supported in part by the Governor’s Office for Children and Families and the Department of Human Services through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly.
Gallery
Referrals & Donations
Referrals are accepted only through law enforcement and child protection agencies. Referral forms may be submitted by the appropriate agencies via fax or email. Please contact us for additional information about making referrals.
Contact Info
Physical/Mailing Address
Children’s Tree House
1225 3rd Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901
Phone
706-327-9612 ext. 1502
Fax
706-327-7904
Primary Contact
Kalen Sieck: ksieck@twincedars.org
706-327-9612 ext. 1502