Provides inpatient mental health services to children and adolescents who have failed outpatient mental wellbeing services and cannot maintain safety in the community.

STAR Center (formerly know as Regional Child Protection Center) brings together a multi-disciplinary team of professionals in the investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases in Central Iowa. These services are offered in an easy-to-access, child-friendly location by individuals dedicated to putting the child's health, well-being and safety first.

Drug Endangered Children program (DEC) provides services for infants and children who have been exposed to drugs before birth (or through a parent's illicit drug use or manufacturing). DEC is dedicated to protecting Iowa's children through a multi-disciplinary collaboration of services. Early identification and intervention for children exposed to drugs is the emphasis, so they can live a healthier life.

Safe place for children who are alleging sexual and/or physical abuse, have witnessed a violent crime, witness to domestic violence, and/or been kidnapped to be interviewed by law enforcement, case workers, or forensic interviewer. Coordinated multi-disciplinary approach to the ongoing investigation of child abuse cases which includes law enforcement, protection and safety workers, legal, mental health, medical and trained professionals. Hair testing for drug endangered children and S.A.N.E. exams for children ages 0-16 years. Provides referrals to mental health services and support groups, and follows the case through the legal system. Assists parents in reporting abuse or following up on reports already made. Offers community educational presentations.

S.A.N.E stands for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner which is a registered nurse or nurse practitioner who has completed specialized training to assist sexual assault victims. They collect all forensic evidence and perform exams.

Coordination of law enforcement, Health and Human Service, prosecutors, healthcare professionals, and advocates to respond to abuse and sexual assault.

Referral source for victims of child abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and abused or neglected vulnerable adults.

Supports the multi-disciplinary team assessments of serious child abuse (sexual abuse and serious physical abuse) conducted by law enforcement and child protective services (Department of Human Services-DHS). Referrals are made by law enforcement and/or DHS for specialized services which include forensic interviews, medical evaluations, family advocacy, and case management services.

Video taped forensic interviews of children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse and neglect or witnesses to violence.

Child advocacy.

Community education and outreach.

Forensic interviews when requested by law enforcement or Child Protective Services. A child interview specialist will conduct a video-taped forensic interview with the child. One of the goals of this interview is to reduce the number of times the child must tell the story of his/her abuse.

Medical exams to evaluate children who are suspected to have been abused or neglected.

Assessment and referrals by mental health professionals, who assess each child's needs and refer them to the appropriate therapy, support groups, and other resources. Families also receive help in "understanding the system".

Multidisciplinary teams consisting of law enforcement, Child Protective Services, medical professionals, prosecution, school personnel, Project Harmony staff, and other professionals regularly review cases to make certain children do not fall through the cracks. Teams work toward making changes and finding solutions to any problems in reporting and investigating child abuse, permanency, treatment, and system issues.

Anyone can refer a case to the teams; call and include:
The child's name
Date of birth
School
Protective Service Worker's name
The reason for the referral

Training to professionals and volunteers.

Provides inpatient mental health services to children and adolescents who have failed outpatient mental wellbeing services and cannot maintain safety in the community.

Provides coordinated services for children and families including finding a doctor, manage medications, advocacy, and answer questions.

The Patient Advocate helps children and families navigate through the system, assisting the child and family to receive appropriate services.

Works with law enforcement, child protection services, physicians, state and county prosecutors, and other healthcare professionals who find themselves dealing with cases where questions of possible child abuse and neglect arise. Provides complete physical exams, forensic photographic documentation, in-depth psychosocial assessments of the child and family, medical record reviews, hair sampling collections for drug exposures in children and adults, urine drug screen facilitation, courtroom testimony, educational presentations, and referrals to child protection services, law enforcement, mental health services, and substance abuse services. Forensic interviewer and mental/behavioral family assistance available.

Safe place for children to be interviewed by law enforcement, case workers, or forensic interviewer once abuse has been disclosed. Provides referrals to mental health services and support groups, and follows the case through the legal system. Assists parents in reporting abuse or following up on reports already made. Offers community educational presentations. Provides medical exams for sexual assault of children.

Provides a safe, non-threatening atmosphere where victims of alleged child sexual and physical abuse are interviewed by one person. Replaces the traditional system by which children endured numerous interviews by various agency professionals. The investigation team (made up of representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), State Attorney's Office, and local law enforcement), works in unison to take the case from allegation to investigation to prosecution.

Provides a safe environment for forensic interviews and medical evaluations of a child victim, 18 years or under, who is alleged to have been a victim of child sexual abuse, serious physical abuse and neglect, witness to a violent crime, recovered from a kidnapping, or found in a drug endangered environment. Services accessed after hours via on-call coverage for law enforcement needing immediate assistance with a forensic interview of a child victim/witness.

Advocacy and support for the child victim and non-offending family members throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case, including Court School.

Training for community professionals on the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse and neglect cases.

Community education focused on identification and reporting of abuse, as well as Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children emphasizing our roles in understanding the facts and minimizing opportunities for child sexual abuse.

Safe place for children to be interviewed by a forensic interviewer and receive forensic medical exams.

Referrals to mental health services and support groups and following the case through the legal system.

Community educational presentations.

Assist parents in reporting abuse or following up on reports already made.

Hair testing and medical exams to determine if a child has been exposed to illegal drug, gather evidence, and access safety plan.