Partners

Partnerships are the essence of the Children’s Alliance. DHS and the police always attend investigative interviews. Bi-weekly Case Conferences see a myriad of partner organizations in attendance. The creation of the Alliance as a private, non-profit organization was effected to assure a neutral entity, separate from collaborating agencies, so that it would be able to partner fully and objectively with all involved agencies without territorial issues that might arise from being more closely aligned with one or another group of professionals. Representatives from many partner agencies – DHS, police, District Attorney, Support Center for Child Advocates, and Children’s Hospital – serve on the Alliance’s Board of Directors along with representatives from the private sector.

Informal relationships have developed into partnerships that include written working agreements, such as a master agreement with all partner agencies with whom the Alliance works, and individual treatment agreements with J.J. Peters Institute and Women Organized Against Rape. As the Alliance plans a move to a new facility that will provide adequate space and enhance collaboration, discussions are also underway to include space for partner representatives, including a medical component, in the new facility.


Our Partners

The Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, also known as a child advocacy center, is a full member of the National Children’s Alliance, subscribing to all of the standards and practices requisite to good standing in that organization. As a child advocacy center, The Philadelphia Children’s Alliance is both a place and a process. The place is a child-friendly facility where children and their families can meet in comfort and privacy, with special child interview rooms and a waiting room with age-appropriate toys, games and activities.

The process is the multi-disciplinary team process, where professionals from law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, medicine and mental health all come together, sharing information and working collaboratively toward the best outcome for the child as their single-minded objective.

Children’s Alliance partners in the multi-disciplinary team include:
 
POLICE: The Special Victims Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department investigates facts of the case and participates in the interview process. The outcome of this process helps to determine what action will be taken against the alleged perpetrator. Their goal is to obtain justice for the abused child.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS): Caseworkers and special investigators from child protective services make a safety assessment of the home, assuring that the alleged perpetrator does not have contact with the child until case disposition is completed. They also work with the team to contribute information, participate in the interview process and help determine human services needed by the child and family. DHS then takes responsibility for the implementation of these services to work toward safety and healing for the child.

THE PHILADELPHIA CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE works with the partners to collaborate on the investigation into child sexual abuse, and to provide the support services that a family needs to return to a healthy and productive life style. Every day we live our mission of a collaborative team process to achieve justice and healing for sexually abused children.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, usually the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, participates in the final phases of the investigation and seeks justice for victims through prosecution of the alleged perpetrator. The District Attorney’s Office also has a victim advocate on staff and provides support for the victim and his/her family in court.


MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES, like Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and like Women Organized against Rape and The JJ Peters Institute, complete the complement of services necessary to achieve healing for a family shattered by sexual abuse.