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For Immediate Release 07/10/08

Center Makes Changes But Continues Its Mission

Contact: Raymond Broderick, Kids’ FIRST director, 682-3938

The name and location have changed, but the dedication to children and their families continues.

The Child Advocacy Center closed its doors on Coburg Road after 14 years of listening to more than 7,000 children tell about sexual abuse, neglect and assaults that they were subjected to or had to witness within their homes.

The Center moved to a much larger facility at 2675 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., and changed its name to better reflect its mission and work. The Center is now the Kids' Forensic Intervention Response and Support Team Center, or Kids' FIRST.

"We are looking forward to continuing our response to abused children and their families, and working for the day when we will be out of business," said Raymond Broderick, director of Kids’ FIRST.

Kids’ FIRST provides a child-friendly setting where children can be interviewed, receive medical exams to help criminal investigations, and testify before Lane County’s specially-convened grand jury for child abuse cases.

This service eliminates the need for a child to be shuffled through police stations, doctor's offices and courtrooms, sparing the child fear and trauma often associated with these experiences. Kids’ FIRST provides referrals to community agencies to meet the legal, financial, physical and mental health needs of child victims and their non-offending family members. It also informs and educates families about the criminal justice process and keeps each family updated on the status of their case.  

The Kids' FIRST is funded solely by grants and private donations and relies heavily on volunteers to provide direct services to victims. 

For more information on Kids’ FIRST, go to www.lanecounty.org/kidsfirst

Amber Fossen
Public Information Officer
Lane County Government
125 E. Eighth Ave.
Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682.3718
(541) 359.9143 (cell)

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