Community Benefits: Mission Driven Services — Annapolis Outreach Center

	Mission Driven Services
	Shore Health: Partnering for Children Shore Health System has partnered with the Talbot County Department of Social Services to create the Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center. Founded in 2003, the Center is a collaboration between child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution, medical personal and mental health professionals. The team uses processes that strengthen cases for prosecution and support the child’s non-offending family members throughout an investigation of reported abuse. Each year over 70 children from Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline and Queen Anne’s Counties are seen at the Children’s Advocacy Center, which is located at The Memorial Hospital at Easton. Prior to the opening of the Center, victims of child abuse from the Eastern Shore were transported to Baltimore, Rockville or Delaware for required medical evaluations and interviews. The Children’s Advocacy Center is decorated with playful murals, soothing colors and comfortable furniture that create a welcoming refuge for the families served. Under the medical direction of pediatrician Betsy Mason, MD, children undergo forensic medical examinations involving evidence collection and digital videography that documents abusive injuries. An interview room and an adjacent observation and conference room are equipped with a state of the art audio-video system to record child victims’ interviews. The recorded interview conducted by a multi-disciplinary team limits the number of times a child must be interviewed, improves prosecution efforts and further reduces the need for victims to testify in court. The Center is funded by the community through Talbot Community Connections and various grants. Shore Health System supports the Children’s Advocacy Center by allocating and maintaining over 1,100 square feet of space at Memorial Hospital. The System also donates management staff time for the services of the Manager of Women’s and Children’s Health and the Director of Patient/Family Advocacy as well as salaries and training for a team of sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) nurses. Volunteers from the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary provide receptionist and escort services to children and their guardians. These in-kind donations exceed $38,000 each year.

Mission Driven Services

Shore Health: Partnering for Children

Shore Health System has partnered with the Talbot County Department of Social Services
to create the Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center. Founded in 2003, the Center is a collaboration between child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution, medical personal and mental health professionals. The team uses processes that strengthen cases for prosecution and support the child’s non-offending family members throughout an investigation of reported abuse.

Each year over 70 children from Talbot, Dorchester, Caroline and Queen Anne’s Counties are seen at the Children’s Advocacy Center, which is located at The Memorial Hospital at Easton. Prior to the opening of the Center, victims of child abuse from the Eastern Shore were transported to Baltimore, Rockville or Delaware for required medical evaluations and interviews.

The Children’s Advocacy Center is decorated with playful murals, soothing colors and comfortable furniture that create a welcoming refuge for the families served. Under the medical direction of pediatrician Betsy Mason, MD, children undergo forensic medical examinations involving evidence collection and digital videography that documents abusive injuries. An interview room and an adjacent observation and conference room are equipped with a state of the art audio-video system to record child victims’ interviews. The recorded interview conducted by a multi-disciplinary team limits the number of times a child must be interviewed, improves prosecution efforts and further reduces the need for victims to testify in court.

The Center is funded by the community through Talbot Community Connections and various grants. Shore Health System supports the Children’s Advocacy Center by allocating and maintaining over 1,100 square feet of space at Memorial Hospital. The System also donates management staff time for the services of the Manager of Women’s and Children’s Health and the Director of Patient/Family Advocacy as well as salaries and training for a team of sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) nurses. Volunteers from the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary provide receptionist and escort services to children and their guardians. These in-kind donations exceed $38,000 each year.