HELP FOR CHILDREN What is the "CHAT" Program? Child Abuse Treatment (CHAT) services for child victims of abuse and their non-offending family members includes: Theraputic services for long-term healing and recovery Case management services to help families link up with community resources and support • Effective child abuse prevention, intervention and treatment programs through partnerships created among local non-profit and social service agencies, schools, law enforcement, the District Attorney's office, medical providers, and the faith and business communities Who is Eligible? Child victims of abuse, neglect, abduction and parental substance abuse Child victims of domestic, family, school and community violence Child and teen victims age 0 to 18 Non-offending family members All child victims regardless of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability (provided program requirements and funding guidelines are met) CHAT Services & Resources Conseling Counseling services for long term healing and recovery A range of child-focused counseling techniques sensitive to the child's emotional state, developmental level, language and cognitive skills Counseling services for non-offending family members Community-based locations in San Luis Obispo, South County and North-Coastal areas Services available at some school sites Child-Centered Services Case management Advocacy for the child through coordination of community resources and support Responsive to individual and family needs Identification, building, strengthening and coordinating a netowrk ofsupport for the child and family Working with other child welfare agencies to share skills, talents and resources to prevent child abuse Other Spanish and bilingual/bicultural services No cost to client for services; all services are provided free Integrated counseling and child-centered services Communtiy education on child abuse prevention Volunteer opportunities are available LGBT Community Resources for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment CHAT Program: (805) 781-2550 Child Welfare Services (CWS)- 24hrs: (805) 781-KIDS (To report emergencies and suspected cases of child abuse and neglect) HOTLINE of SLO County: (805) 549-8989 (Referrals, crisis intervention) Mental Health Services (24 hrs): (800) 838-1381 (Crisis emergencies services) Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Center (SARP): (800) 656-HOPE (Crisis intervention and counseling for survivors of sexual assault) Victim Witness Assistance Center: (866) 718-5821 (COf SLO County District Attorney Office) Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): (805) 541-6542 (Volunteer advocates to work with child abuse victims under jurisdiction of juvenile court) Child Abuse Prevention: (805) 543-6216 Community coordination in the identification, treatment and prevention of child abuse) Child Abuse Takes Many Forms Non-accidental mistreatment of a child Physical abuse Emotional abuse Sexual abuse Substance abuse Neglect Endangerment Abduction Domestic/family violence School and community violence Consequenses of Child Abuse Child maltreatment is an extremely serious social problem, with high costs and severe lifelong consequences for children and families. The annual monetary costs are $103.8 billion, at minimum, for child welfare, health care, and out-of-home care. Other related costs, such as emergency room treatment, special education and family preservation, increase this figure significantly. Children who are abused or neglected are at a higher risk for a number of interrelated social problems (which have enormous monetary and social costs). © Copyright 2001. Site designed by Webeclectic.