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Beginning Monday, April 20, 2020 The Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County will have extended contact hours to increase availability during the pandemic crisis.
The extended hours are thanks, in part, to a generous grant from the Oswego County COVID-19 Fund, an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation. Support has been provided by the Richard S. Shineman Foundation, the United Way of Greater Oswego County, and the Oswego County Community Foundation.
According to CAC Executive Director Tory L. DeCaire, "Research has shown that during these times of crisis, especially with regard to social distancing, children may be at an increased risk of child abuse within the home and may be going without the typical intervention and reporting that would usually come from others in the community. Enhancing mental health and support services through obtaining equipment and using remote technology will help the agency not only sustain its capacity to connect and communicate with the children and families, but also expand the availability of services beyond normal business hours."
The grant award of $9,100 will help the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County to provide enhanced mental health and support services to expand availability through the use of remote counseling technology to provide direct services to children and families that are victims of abuse, trauma and neglect. The CAC’s regular hours of 8:30am – 4:00pm Monday through Friday have been extended until 7:00pm Monday through Friday. Anyone wishing to contact the CAC during our regular or expanded hours, may use the main phone number (315) 592-4453 and press 1 for the Front Desk from the main menu options. A CAC staff member will be available to answer questions or to help coordinate resources if needed.
Additionally, The Child Advocacy Center is opening a "teen text line" for youth feeling overwhelmed for a multitude of possible reasons during the traumatic corona-virus pandemic. The staff at the CAC recognize the unique challenges facing teens and would like to provide empathetic support and connection to available resources during moments of acute distress. The CAC teen text line will be available Monday through Friday from 11:00am-7:00pm. Teens may text us at (315) 908-1755.
DeCaire added, "The CAC teen text line has been created to meet teens where they are, through their mode of comfort communication, to provide the message that kindness and hope are not lost. Our team wants you to know your feelings are valid and this moment is temporary."
The Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization that offers a safe, child-friendly site where members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team of Oswego County gather to assist child abuse victims and their families. The CAC also provides community outreach and efforts to aid in the prevention of child abuse throughout Oswego County.
