For Information Contact:

Brian Adey
 798-5800

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo announced today that the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center will increase its ability to protect children and prosecute those who harm them.

“Oneida County is a leader in our efforts to protect children from abuse,” Griffo said. “The Child Advocacy Center is a unique model that brings together many partners to maximize the safety and welfare of our children and help provide the basis needed for prosecuting anyone who hurts a child. Long before other communities were worried about protecting children from sex offenders, Oneida County developed a partnership to help victims of child sex abuse and punish offenders.”

“The Child Advocacy Center combines both a commitment to protect the children of Oneida County with a dedication to ensure that people who sexually abuse children pay the price for their actions. Because of their day-in, day-out commitment, Oneida County is a leader in helping children.”

Griffo said that the New York State Office of Children and Family Services recently notified Oneida County that it will be receiving a grant of $51, 561 to upgrade the training of CAC staff and also upgrade computer equipment as well as provide fiscal support for a coordinator position for the Child Fatality Review Team and a forensic interviewer. CAC Director Kevin Revere said the grant will help support better training for staff, which will lead to better interviews of children, collaboration among disciplines, and raise the level of knowledge of investigative staff.  It will also continue the Child Fatality Review Team, which brings different agencies and disciplines together in an effort to reduce duplicate efforts, share information and coordinate efforts better, he said.  New computer equipment is also included which will assist in case tracking of perpetrators.”

“Due to the commitment of Director Kevin Revere and the devotion and hard work of its entire staff, the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center is recognized as being one of the best teams in New York State dedicated to the protection of Children.” Griffo said. “State government has been one of our strongest supporters. This latest support from the Office of Children and Family Services continues our efforts to provide protection by making sure that anyone who preys on children is punished to the full extent of the law.

The Oneida County Child Advocacy Center houses a multi-disciplinary group of professionals including Social Services caseworkers, law enforcement, victim advocates, medical personnel and therapists. The Center conducts joint investigations and provides support services to children suspected of having been sexually abused.