The Mayo Clinic Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Adolescents, also known as MCCSHCA, is one of 950 children's advocacy centers in the United States. We are accredited by the National Children's Alliance, the national accrediting body for child advocacy centers.
The center serves children and teenagers in southeastern Minnesota and in locations served by the Mayo Clinic Health System. Children and teens are referred to the center by law enforcement or child protection services or by Mayo Clinic medical professionals because of concerns about child abuse or neglect.
The center offers a child-centered response to child abuse and neglect. The team includes victim advocates, forensic interviewers, pediatricians, a nurse, a mental health professional, and a facility dog. We work together with other professionals to provide a multidisciplinary response to evaluate and give a range of services all at once to children and their families. Multidisciplinary team members often include law enforcement representatives, child protection social workers and prosecutors.
Team roles and services
Depending on the needs of your child, your team may include these members and services:
- A victim advocate can assist your family in providing information and support that helps you navigate this process and get essential resources. Should there be a criminal case, an advocate can guide you through the criminal proceedings and inform you of your rights.
Center family room where you can meet with an advocate or the mental health professional on staff.
- A child protection social worker may be a part of the team that meets with you on the day of your visit. The social worker makes sure your child is safe. The social worker also works with your family to determine your needs and help your family create plans for safety and healing.
- A child forensic interviewer is trained and certified to talk with children and teenagers about claims of abuse or trauma. The interviewer uses certified guidelines that match your child's age and development. The interview happens in person with your child while other team members watch via video from another room.
Center interview room where your child will meet with a forensic interviewer.
- A law enforcement representative may be a part of the team at the center on the day of your visit. The representative investigates criminal concerns and enforces safety.
- A pediatrician and a pediatric nurse with specialized training in trauma are available to consult with you and your child or teenager about any concerns and complete a medical exam if needed. An exam can often reassure children about their physical health.
Center exam room where your child has the option to have a medical exam to look for injuries or other physical signs of abuse. You and your child make the choices about this exam.
- A mental health professional is available. As a part of your visit to our center, you'll have the opportunity to talk with a team member about counseling needs and services for your child and family. Resources and referrals for trauma-focused mental health therapy are provided to you.
Therapist's office, where your child has the option to meet with the center's mental health professional.
- A representative from a state or local prosecutor's office may be a part of the team at the center on the day of your visit. The representative assesses evidence and is mindful of legal considerations during the forensic interview. If there is a criminal investigation, this person will determine whether formal charges will be filed.
- A certified facility dog is available. Your child or teenager may have the opportunity to meet Duo Dog William, our certified facility dog. He is professionally trained to partner with our center staff to give support to families and children during their visits. The presence of a facility dog can help relieve anxiety, fear and stress that children may have.
Duo Dog William, the center's certified facility dog.
Your child's visit
Children and teenagers who are referred to the center:
- Have the option to meet with a healthcare professional who has special training in child abuse and neglect. The healthcare professional can give input, offer a medical exam that respects your choices and make recommendations as needed.
- May meet with a child therapist to talk about any emotional or mental health concerns and get recommendations and resources for more help. Teens can complete a trauma screening tool to assess current needs and may be invited to meet members of the multidisciplinary team.
Parents or caregivers
Parents or caregivers:
- Meet with a victim advocate who explains the investigation process and helps them find useful resources for continuing care.
- Meet with a mental health professional to talk about concerns and receive resources and recommendations. Caregivers also can complete a trauma screening tool for the child to assess current needs.
- Have the option to meet with a medical professional who has special training in child abuse and neglect for input and recommendations as needed.
- Meet with team members to learn about the interview and the team's recommendations. Parents or caregivers have time to ask questions and talk about concerns with the team.
The team continues to be available to families as they work with law enforcement or child protection services to address the needs of the child or teen.