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Service Area:  The Kids' FIRST Center serves Lane County, Oregon, a county approximately the same size as the state of Connecticut.  Lane county is economically and geographically diverse, and reaches from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascade Mountains.  Major urban areas served include Eugene and Springfield.

Staff:   Full time— Director/ Child Interviewer, Program Services Coordinator.  Volunteer Coordinator/ Case Manager, Administrative Assistant, Receptionist.  Part time— Medical Director, Nurse, Victim Advocate, 30 Volunteer Victim Advocates, 7 Childcare Program Advocates.

Service partners:  The Kids' FIRST Center receives children upon referral from 10 different law enforcement agencies, Services to Children and Families (state protective services), and the District Attorney’s Office.

On-Site Services:

•  Forensic video interviews of children reporting sexual or physical abuse and/or neglect, and child witnesses of domestic violence and other violent crimes.
• Forensic medical examinations of children to assess child abuse for medical and legal follow-up
• Grand Jury:  the Center is the site of Lane County’s specially-convened grand jury for child abuse cases.
• Victim Assistance:  Volunteers advocate for victims and non-offending parents/ guardians from disclosure through disposition and often afterward.
•  Lane County Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team (MDT):  The Center houses, facilitates and chairs the Lane County Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Intervention Team (MDT).  The MDT consists of law enforcement, medical, child protection, school, legal and social services personnel and Center staff.  The team provides policy and case review.
•  Parent/ Guardian Education and Support Group:  Weekly education/ support group (12-week program).  Mental health professionals meet with non-offending parents/ guardians of victims in the evening at the center.  The group discusses trauma response and educates on self-care and system issues regarding child sex abuse. The center provides childcare and transportation for the group.
• ©       Lane County Child Fatality Review Committee:  The center houses and facilitates the Lane County Child Fatality Review Committee.
• ©       ChildLink:  The Center is a partner in the formation of ChildLink, an $800,000 federal/ local grant funded project.  Its purpose is to develop a process using computer linkages between public agencies, including law enforcement agencies, Services to Children and Families and the Center to identify children at imminent risk of serious abuse or death.  Risk Response Teams can then offer services to prevent child fatalities and abuse.
•  Training:  Center staff, often in partnership with law enforcement agencies, District Attorney, medical and Services to Children and Families personnel provide general and specific training regarding interviews, medical  examinations, victim services, MDT issues and other legal information to police, social services, mental health providers, medical care providers and school personnel.
• Public Education:  Center staff provide prevention education to the general public, service clubs, university and community college audiences and other interested groups.
• THERE ARE NO CHARGES FOR CENTER SERVICES AND NO WAITING LISTS