KIDS Center
Shelly Smith, Executive DirectorWhat would you like our community to know about KIDS Center?
KIDS Center is a child abuse intervention center built by the community 25 years ago. Our mission is to prevent, evaluate and treat child abuse. We provide unique, compassionate and comprehensive services to children and families impacted by abuse in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Counties.
What services do you provide for families?
KIDS Center supports children impacted by all forms of abuse – physical, sexual, neglect, witness to domestic violence, and drug endangerment. We employ a multifaceted approach to the problem of child abuse through medical evaluations, which include a child-friendly forensic interview and medical exam; therapy, for the child and family to break the cycle of abuse and begin a cycle of healing; family support, for identifying and addressing issues impacting a child's ability to heal; and prevention and education, to raise awareness of child abuse, as well as ways to prevent, identify and react responsibly.
What can adults and children expect during their first visit?
KIDS Center staff strives to meet each family where they are, providing professional and compassionate services without judgment or bias. From the moment they walk in the door, each family is supported by a team consisting of a family support specialist, medical examiner, forensic interviewer and a dedicated therapist.
What can we do to help?
Get involved! Take a training to learn how to help prevent child abuse and share this information with other adults in your life. Speak up! Talk with children about body boundaries and encourage them to tell a trusted adult if someone does or says something that makes them uncomfortable. Donate! No child is ever turned away at KIDS Center, and services are provided at no cost to the child and family. (The average cost per child receiving full comprehensive services is $5,000.) Donations from individuals and businesses in our community make our services possible.
