2023 Impact Report

PAT'S PLACE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER ANNUAL REPORT | 2023

ABOUT PAT'S PLACE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER Pat’s Place, Mecklenburg County’s only child advocacy center, was established in 2005 to improve the system of protection for child victims of abuse. The Pat’s Place team coordinates the investigation and treatment of referred cases in a comfortable and child-friendly environment through forensic interviews, medical exams, counseling and advocacy support at no cost to a child’s family. The center on East Boulevard is named for Patricia “Pat” Wolfe, an inspiring child advocate in the Charlotte community who passed away in May 2000.

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PAT'S PLACE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the CEO 4 The People of PAT'S PLACE 5 Our Commitment to DEI 6 Development FORUM 7 Looking Forward: THE UMBRELLA CENTER 8 Partnering to SAVE LIVES 10 Sharing EXPERTISE 11 Enhancing Our Impact ON FAMILIES 12 Providing Support TO THE CAREGIVER 13 CHAT COLLABORATIVE 14 THE (YES!) PROGRAM 15 More Than "SEX ED" 15 Helping Our Local Schools RESPOND TO TRAUMA 16 Handle WITH CARE

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Child Abuse PREVENTION MONTH 18 Keeping Kids SAFE ONLINE 20 Impact PARTNERS 21 Circle of FRIENDS 21 Save the DATE 22

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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Dear Friends, I am delighted to present to you our Annual Impact Report, a reflection of the unwavering commitment and dedication that defines the heart of Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center.

As we take a moment to celebrate our accomplishments, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support, which is instrumental in helping us fulfill our mission of providing hope and healing to the children and families we serve.

The stories shared within this report demonstrate the power of collaboration, innovation, and collective action. You’ll find a detailed account of the milestones we've achieved together.

From expanding our outreach programs to implementing innovative therapeutic approaches, your support has enabled us to evolve and grow, ensuring that our services are as impactful and relevant as ever.

Our work is far from over, and this organization is committed to continually improving our services, advancing our programs, and amplifying our impact. None of this would be possible without the generosity, compassion, and dedication of individuals like you, who stand with us.

I invite you to explore the pages of this report and take pride in the difference you have made. Your support is more than a financial contribution; it is a beacon of hope for children and families who are on a journey to healing and recovery. As we forge ahead, we remain inspired by your belief in our mission and the enduring change that it brings about.

Thank you for your trust and partnership. Together, we are building a brighter, safer future for all children in CharlotteMecklenburg.

With gratitude,

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Andrew M. Oliver Chief Executive Officer

OUR MISSION: To protect and heal children, unite key partners, and engage the community to end child abuse.

THE PEOPLE OF PAT'S PLACE LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Andrew Oliver, Chief Executive Officer Ann Glaser, Chief Program Officer Lori Avery, Chief Development Officer Suzanne Grace, Chief of Finance and Operations Mary Kathryn Elkins, Director of Evaluation Kelli Wood, Response Services Director Adam Levine, Clinical Director

Chris Socha, Edifice - Chair Deborah Majewski, The Leon Levine Foundation - Co-Vice Chair Laura Fahrney, Ridgemont Equity Partners - Co-Vice Chair Pia Millican, PIA International - Treasurer Pearlynn Houck, ACC - Secretary Henry Beards, UPS Anne Brady Moore Carlson, Community Volunteer Astrid Chirinos, YMCA of Greater Charlotte Gabriel Esparza, Community Volunteer Katrina Graue, Bank of America Otis Ku, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Dr. Jacqueline McKnight, Community Volunteer Dr. Stacy Nicholson, Atrium Health Dr. Cotrane Penn, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Jeanette Sims, Community Volunteer Dr. Erin Trakas, Novant Health Crystal Utley, Bespoke Capital Consulting Kathy Wholley, Albemarle Corporation Chris Williams, First Horizon Bank Angie Zimmern, McGuire Woods LLP

STAFF Dorinell Alcantara, Bilingual Child + Family Therapist Alaka Ayers, Intake + MDT Coordinator + FI Andrea Bartoli, Forensic Interviewer + Family Advocate Danielle Broyles, CHAT Collaborative Clinical Specialist Stephanie De Leon, Forensic Interviewer Abbie DiIanni, Forensic Services Coordinator Jessica Grubb, Child + Family Therapist Olivia Haven, Client Services Specialist Angelica Hernandez, Client Services Specialist Wendy Hernandez, Training Specialist Maria Hernandez Leon, Client Services Specialist Emefa Hurst, Advocacy Coordinator Tajia Linen, Business Operations Associate Kaylan Mariano, Associate Development Director Elisia McKnight, Development Associate Kelly Navarro, Communications Associate Maria Navarro, Bilingual Family Advocate Ellen Norris, Client Services Specialist Cheryl Peace, CHAT Collaborative Coordinator Anie Reyes, Bilingual Family Advocate Nieves Rodriguez, Bilingual Family Advocate Nikki Scott, Client Services Specialist Halleli Stav, Child + Family Therapist Juanita Vargas Ibanez, Bilingual Case Manager ATRIUM HEALTH LEVINE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC RESOURCE CENTER STAFF Dr. Kendra Ham, Medical Director Alexia Fox, Office Coordinator Valencia Jeffcoat, Nurse Practitioner Dionne Pierson, Nurse

CONNECT WITH PAT'S PLACE 901 East Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28203 704-335-2760 patsplacecac.org Follow @patsplacecac

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OUR COMMITMENT TO DEI EMRACING AND CELEBRATING OUR DIFFERENCES

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Pat's Place has done tremendous internal work around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) best practices to continue to cultivate a culture of respect and belonging.

The impact has been powerful!

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In FY2023, Pat’s Place has: • Expanded the DEI committee by adding two new team members. The committee is now made up of five staff members from different departments and walks of life.

• Applied an inclusion lens by: • Generating new, transparent pay ranges to promote equity.

• Implementing a new bilingual pay differential for all employees who are required to speak both English and Spanish in their role.

• Updating agency policies and procedures (including those related to recruitment).

• Reviewing and updating the Employee Handbook.

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Participated in an all-staff DiSC® assessment to measure behavior preferences and tendencies in the workplace to help improve teamwork, communication, and productivity.

Hosted multiple listening sessions and focus groups to offer a safe place for employees to provide wins and opportunities within the workplace. Follow-up surveys demonstrated that Pat’s Place is creating a psychologically safe place for employees, specifically around race, ethnicity, and gender.

BY THE NUMBERS

1,017 children received services at Pat's Place

877 caregivers received

services at Pat's Place

Race of clients served:

DEVELOPMENT FORUM WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER In May 2023, Pat’s Place held the first Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Development Forum in Charlotte. The group began meeting via Zoom in July 2020 to stay connected during the pandemic and to share ideas about challenges and opportunities faced in their own individual child advocacy centers. With the support of leadership, the forum was encouraged to meet in person, and Charlotte was the chosen city. The forum included 11 CAC development and communications directors from cities across the country, including Boston, Memphis, Omaha, Lexington, Raleigh, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, and Denver. The group met to share ideas and discuss strategic initiatives for fundraising and communications within the CAC community. Although talking about money is often taboo, the more funds the development teams can raise, the more each center is able to offer and the more children they can serve. Over the course of the two-day retreat, the main takeaway was collaboration is key!

Asian

2%

Black/African American

28% Multi-Racial 2% Unknown/Other 9% White 16%

43%

Hispanic/Latino

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LOOKING FORWARD: THE UMBRELLA CENTER IMPLEMENTING THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER MODEL

Mecklenburg County has long had a strong system of public and private service providers dedicated to helping victims of interpersonal violence. These include organizations like Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center, Safe Alliance, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), town police departments, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, Mecklenburg County Community Support Services, Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office, Mecklenburg County Magistrate’s Office, and leading health providers at Atrium Health. These committed partners acknowledge that more needs to be done to streamline the system, confront violence prevalent in the community, and break the cycle of violence faced by too many families.

Today, victims are forced to navigate complex systems to access help. On average, an adult victim must travel to nine different locations, fill out 37 pages of paperwork, and repeat their story 27 times. Many victims give up. The current structure needs to be more victim-centered and trauma-informed to achieve the best outcomes for the community.

Family Justice Centers (FJC) are a national model, which demonstrates proven outcomes in improving victim survival and are recognized as a national best practice.

There are over 130 centers—with six in North Carolina alone. Charlotte is one of the largest cities in the country yet to embrace this effective model of curbing violence.

The region’s future center is estimated to serve 10,000 people annually and will co-locate nearly 150 staff from 15 agency partners to streamline case investigations, mitigate barriers to effective care, and support healing after abuse.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s FJC will be named The Umbrella Center.

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On average, an adult victim must go to and repeat their story

27 times.

This approach results in improved outcomes for victims and the broader community—decreased homicide rates, increased prosecutions, and improved effectiveness of partner organizations. San Diego documented a 95% reduction in domestic violence-related homicides in its first 15 years utilizing the FJC model. Since opening in 2015, officials of the FJC in Guilford County, North Carolina, have documented a 77% percent reduction in domestic violence-related homicides.

At the intersection of public health, public safety, and economic opportunity are the life experiences of victims of interpersonal violence and their struggle to survive and thrive. The associated financial costs are staggering. According to the research commissioned by the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage, the annual cost of domestic abuse in Mecklenburg County alone was nearly $50 million in 2018. The CDC states the lifetime healthcare costs for survivors of child abuse is $830,000.

Approximately 9% of all Medicaid dollars are spent treating the impact of childhood trauma.

Abuse in Charlotte-Mecklenburg is a known community crisis: • 40,000+ domestic violence related service calls by CMPD annually.

• 17,719 children were reported abused or neglected in Mecklenburg County in 2020.

• 38% of known homicide suspects have a history of domestic violence.

• Intimate partner and domestic-related homicides ranged from 10-26% of homicides (past four years).

• Referrals to Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center have increased 64% since 2014.

• 1,227 cases of elder abuse were reported to the Department of Social Services in 2020.

• North Carolina routinely ranks in the top 10 states for reported U.S. human trafficking cases.

9 different locations, fill out 37 pages of paperwork,

For more than five years, public and private partners including Pat's Place have worked together to establish The Umbrella Center - Charlotte's future family justice center. To date, more than

$30 million has been raised. When opened, The Umbrella Center will serve

as a one-stop, resource center for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking.

Once opened, The Umbrella Center will: Support public safety goals: • Improves safety for law enforcement.

• Improves victim service access by co-locating services with a combined intake process.

• Increases victim safety, autonomy and empowerment.

• Reduces the domestic violence homicide rate dramatically.

• Enhance investigations and Improves rates of prosecution: • 80% of victims walk away before pressing charges in the current system.

• Improves offender prosecution outcomes. Recantation by victims is reduced when supported by services.

• Utilizing a similar model, Pat’s Place has seen conviction rates for child sexual abuse cases that are charged increase from 5% to 95% since 2005.

Improve public health: • Provides specialized, trauma-informed forensic care for victims of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse, reducing the impact on emergency rooms.

• Provides access to general healthcare at on-site clinics, which will serve as a health home for thousands of vulnerable residents.

• Affords access to mental health services before crisis.

Increase economic mobility: 50% percent of domestic violence victims lose their jobs as a result of their victimization. Proposed services include: • Job training and counseling.

• Career/technical assistance.

• Free on-site childcare.

Funding Structure The high-level estimate for building or renovating space for a FJC is $30 million, with an additional $5 million for a sustainability fund. This community-wide effort is a private/ public partnership. Mecklenburg County has committed $10 million to the capital campaign and has agreed to own and maintain The Umbrella Center, allowing the nonprofits to focus on their core mission to support and continue their work. The City of Charlotte has committed $5 million. A comprehensive private campaign is underway to secure the remaining $20 million, and, to date, almost $14 million has been raised including nine $1 million+ gifts.

Future Site • The Umbrella Center will be located at 4822 Albemarle Road in east Charlotte. Architects have been selected (Jenkins Peer & TM Partners), and the contractor will be selected in July of 2023 through an extensive request for quote (RFQ) process.

• The site allows for renovation and expansion of an existing building, which was more cost-effective than a new build. The site also allows the potential for future expansion.

• The site is convenient for clients as well as partners.

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To date, the SRC h and staffed 36 h

PARTNERING TO SAVE LIVES

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BY THE NUMBERS

HANDLING HIGH-RISK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES AT THE SURVIVOR RESOURCE CENTER

SRC SERVICES:

The Survivor Resource Center (SRC), the currently operating precursor to Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s future Family Justice Center (FJC), which will be called The Umbrella Center, serves the highest risk/highest lethality domestic violence cases. At times, the SRC is faced with a situation in which the victim is at imminent risk of fatality. The multidisciplinary team (MDT) at the SRC has developed and implemented a high-risk case review process to ensure that all staff are working together to mitigate the risk of harm to the survivor.

Modeled after the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and MDT case staffing process, the purpose of the high-risk team meeting is to gather key community partners to discuss immediate health and safety needs and any known history of involvement of partners, and to identify a coordinated response plan. During this meeting, partners develop and assign action steps to respective team members to provide comprehensive support for the victim and their children and to ensure offender accountability. To date, the SRC has coordinated and staffed 36 high-risk cases.

147 children served 85 caregivers served

24 children recieved for 81 trauma assessments

87 parent education ses

has coordinated high-risk cases.

SHARING EXPERTISE FORGING NEW PATHWAYS Ann Glaser, Chief Program Officer, and Abbie DiIanni, Coordinator of Forensic Services, were selected to present at the International Symposium on Child Abuse in Huntsville, Alabama, in March 2023. The presentation entitled “The CAC’s Role in Domestic Violence Investigations” emphasizes the importance and necessity of recognizing children as primary victims of domestic violence. Utilizing case vignettes and research regarding the impact of domestic violence on children, the session highlighted the intersectionality of child exposure to domestic violence and other forms of child abuse. The timeline of Pat’s Place’s efforts at the SRC and the development of The Umbrella Center was shared, with the session ending with the introduction of an innovative hybrid forensic interview/trauma assessment service model tailored specifically for children exposed to domestic violence. The reviews of attendees were exceedingly positive with multiple attendees following up to learn more about the work of Pat’s Place at the SRC and to potentially collaborate on the development of a domestic violence specific forensic interview protocol.

Additionally, they reprised that training at this year’s statewide Reflections Symposium on Child Abuse & Neglect.

Abbie has partnered with Guilford County’s colleagues to present on the utilization of a child trauma expert at the FJC for the annual North Carolina Family Justice Center Conference. Kelli Wood, Director of Response Services, also presented two sessions at the Reflections Symposium on Child Abuse & Neglect. Both sessions are specific to forensic interviewing and children being “safe to tell.”

rensic interviews conducted

ssions

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ENHANCING OUR IMPACT ON FAMILIES UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING BARRIERS Research indicates that standardized screening increases the identification of client needs and ensures equity of service across multiple service providers. This year, Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center’s family advocates initiated the use of two assessments to enhance the support for nonoffending caregivers. The Pathway to Healing questionnaire was adapted for use by Pat's Place to assess exposure to trauma experiences and behaviors that may be impacting the children seen in various settings. Family advocates are also giving caregivers the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) survey, which pertains to a family’s basic needs, such as food and housing. Together, these assessments serve to provide staff with a better understanding of a child’s trauma symptoms along with barriers their families may be facing that may inhibit their ability to access needed therapeutic services.

To address needs identified via the SDOH survey, Pat’s Place has joined a state-wide electronic referral platform designed to meet a family’s needs more efficiently. NC360 enables Pat’s Place staff to identify and connect with local nonprofit organizations and determine if they are accepting referrals. Once the referral is accepted, Pat’s Place staff can see whether the client has connected with and is receiving services.

The Pat’s Place team has long known that when families are unstable or have pressing physical needs, they are less able and less likely to engage in therapy. Pat’s Place hopes that universally screening for needs and providing best-fit referrals to address those needs will allow families to gain the stability to seek mental health treatment and begin their healing journey.

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BY THE NUMBERS

PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE CAREGIVER NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH BRAVE STEP

473 therapy sessions

provided

68 children served at The Healing Center

73 caregivers served

at The Healing Center

Number of direct referals made:

The most important factor in a child’s ability to heal from the trauma of abuse is a supportive caregiver.

That caregiver is, rightly so, expected and encouraged to participate actively in their child’s therapeutic treatment.

This provides the best opportunity for the caregiver to understand what their child experienced and how to support them through their healing journey. It is a very effective model, proven to reduce trauma symptoms in children.

So, how does Pat’s Place support the supportive caregiver to ensure that their needs are met, so they can be present and available to their child? The caregiver needs and deserves a space where they can grieve, learn, and restore. A safe space to reduce the isolation and to express and address feelings that they were not able to protect their child.

Through a partnership with the local nonprofit Brave Step, an agency whose mission is to support the caregivers of traumatized children, Pat’s Place is now providing this needed resource. Brave Step has created this therapeutic group model of care that focuses on caregivers’ stressors.

Pat’s Place caregivers can participate in a six-week group intervention utilizing psychoeducation, emotional healing, and guidance specific to their unique needs. Pat’s Place and Brave Step share a mission in acknowledging that the entire family system has been impacted by the trauma.

Pat’s Place is honored and happy to be partnering in this way to encourage hope and healing for all.

293 Mental Health

sssssssservices Other services

75

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CHAT COLLABORATIVE INCREASING ACCESS TO TRAUMA-INFORMED THERAPY Launched in 2019, the CHAT Collaborative exists to ensure all children seen at Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center are able to continue their healing journey. Oftentimes, it’s not feasible for children to continue with therapy at Pat’s Place long-term, which is where the CHAT Collaborative comes in to help. The CHAT Collaborative served 589 children and 513 of their caregivers during FY2023. The overarching goal of the CHAT Collaborative is to increase access to and engagement in mental health treatment for children impacted by abuse, domestic violence, or human trafficking. Pat’s Place provides families with referrals to vetted treatment providers, transportation assistance when needed, and acts as the payor of last resort for uninsured or underinsured children and their families.

For children receiving forensic services at Pat’s Place, or children referred to CHAT by investigative partners or CD-CP (Child Development-Community Policing), CHAT Collaborative clinical specialists make a direct connection between the family and the clinician, assess for and address transportation or other financial barriers to treatment, and provide two-, four-, and eight-week follow-up calls to ensure treatment engagement. Over the past year, Pat’s Place specialists have linked 330 children to one of our network providers.

CHAT Collaborative clinical specialists field an average of 20 calls per month from community medical and mental health providers, school personnel, and concerned parents.

Based on information provided by the callers, the specialist offers suggestions for “best-fit” referrals to appropriate, vetted mental health clinicians specially trained to provide treatment to children impacted by trauma.

The CHAT Collaborative network is currently made up of 30 agencies or group practices, with more than 120 traumatrained clinicians. Members of the CHAT Collaborative receive free clinical training and supervision sponsored

by Pat’s Place. This year 36 clinicians received 16 hours of training in evidence-based treatments related to special populations, and 30 clinicians participated in group clinical supervision. Pat’s Place is invested in growing this program to ensure more children have access to trauma-informed therapy and go on to live happy, healthy lives.

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Pat's Place specialists have linked 330 children to one of the network providers.

THE (YES!) PROGRAM

MORE THAN "SEX ED"

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT

REDUCING RISK VIA A NEW, NON-CLINICAL INTERVENTION

In 2022, in partnership with Present Age Ministries, Pat’s Place began offering a six-session psychoeducational group for teens who are vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation. The emphasis of the sessions is healthy relationships, internet safety, and looking to the future.

Recognizing the need for additional wrap-around services to reinforce the group content and to further reduce the likelihood of victimization, Pat’s Place applied for and was awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to launch a new initiative, the Youth Empowerment and Support program (YES!). YES! provides therapy, enhanced case management, mentorship, and support group to teens ages 12 to 17 and their families. The program is designed to reduce the youth’s trauma symptoms and increase caregiver protective factors, with a goal of preventing future victimization. YES! is primarily a community-based program. Pat’s Place professionals will provide intervention and support in the family’s environment, reducing transportation, time, and coordination barriers for families.

Dr. Diana Moser-Burg, the clinical director of Hope Community Clinic in Charlotte and a close Pat’s Place colleague and partner, was determined to identify the best practice intervention for teens at risk for exploitation and other consequences of unsafe sexual activities (behaviors that are often a result of trauma experienced as a sexual abuse victim). Dr. Moser-Burg discovered and became a national trainer in Practice Self-Regulation (PSR), a supportive and non-judgmental model of treatment that targets teens who have endured considerable trauma and now engage in concerning and risky sexual activity as a maladaptive coping mechanism. PSR acknowledges the teen’s trauma and needs for attachment and control and, rather than proffer shame and discipline for their choices, PSR helps guide them to healthier thought processes and ultimately to healthier self-esteem and symptom reduction.

Dr. Moser-Burg has trained numerous Pat’s Place staff members in this non-clinical treatment modality. PSR can be used to augment Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and integrated into YES! group and individual interventions. Pat’s Place plans to partner with Dr. Moser-Burg to offer free PSR training to CHAT Collaborative clinicians to increase their tools in working with this vulnerable population.

BY THE NUMBERS ALLEGED MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN SERVED

6% At-Risk Interview 4% Neglect

15% Other

8% Physical Abuse

17% Witness to Crime

49% Sexual Abuse

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HELPING OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS RESPOND TO TRAUMA THE IMPACT OF ARPA FUNDING

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States. The CDC also reports that the rates of child abuse and neglect are five times higher for children in families with low socioeconomic status. Almost 1 in 10 American children saw one family member assault another family member, and more than 25% of American children have been exposed to family violence during their life (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs).

With approximately 142,536 students enrolled in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) system, these statistics indicate that: • •

At least 19,995 students have experienced abuse or neglect in the past year.

28,507 students have a 5x higher risk of being abused (>20% of Mecklenburg Co. children live in poverty, and people of color are four times more likely than the white population to live in impoverished neighborhoods – National Equity Atlas).

•

14,253 students have witnessed one family member assaulted by another family member.

•

35,633 students have experienced/witnessed domestic violence in their homes.

needs of students who have experienced trauma. Pat’s Place wrote a proposal for funding to better quantify and address the needs of public school students and their families impacted by violence, abuse, or other trauma. An award was granted to enhance the work of the CHAT Collaborative program and to launch two new initiatives, all with the goal of improving the schools’ ability to respond to the needs of children impacted by trauma.

Objectives included the enhancement of behavioral health support provided to students, partnerships to strengthen school-community collaborations and enhance the capacity of CMS to meet the needs of children exposed to trauma, and to build the community’s capacity for equal access to behavioral health resources.

ARPA Funding was awarded and allowed the following activities: 1.

Pat’s Place identified and facilitated access to a schoolbased, non-clinical group intervention that CMS personnel can implement with little to no lead time. This curriculum and materials were purchased by Pat’s Place and provided to CMS and will allow 75 school-based providers with training and tools to incorporate into their practices.

2.

Pat’s Place facilitated multiple discussions with key stakeholders to explore a community-wide partnership between CMS and CMPD that would allow school personnel to be alerted to a child’s exposure to a traumatic event. This will allow for appropriate accommodations and support to be provided to a student presenting with any number of behaviors or conditions that may be resultant from that trauma. The program, called Handle With Care, has been adopted and is being piloted in CMPD’s Freedom patrol division in fall 2023.

Additionally, every student enrolled in CMS has been impacted by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the multiple resultant additional stressors.

Exposure to trauma/abuse alters the way a child connects with others, and contributes to a lifetime of emotional, physical, and social dysfunction. Children exposed to violence are more likely to have difficulty in school, abuse drugs or alcohol, act aggressively, and suffer from depression.

In November 2022, Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center was invited by Mecklenburg County Department of Human Services to apply for short-term American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide support to CMS in addressing the 16

43 children

3.

Pat’s Place hired a second clinical specialist for the CHAT Collaborative program to assist in fielding an increase in community consultation calls and partner referrals for linkage to best-fit clinicians for children and families impacted by abuse, domestic violence, and trauma.

At least 19,995 students have experienced abuse or neglect in the past year.

4.

Pat’s Place utilized funding to support a portion of the Director of Evaluation and Strategic Initiatives position, which provided a project manager for this exciting opportunity.

5.

Pat’s Place brought 14 multidisciplinary professionals together to identify innovative partnerships and practices for consideration in the local community.

Leadership from CMSand Mecklenburg County Youth and Family Services, a County Commissioner, representatives from the kNot Today Foundation, and Pat’s Place personnel visited Project Harmony, a prominent, co-located Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Omaha, Nebraska. Project Harmony has numerous pioneering programs including in-school and agencybased services, various specialized multidisciplinary team case review forums, a regional training center, and CAC-led case coordination. The visit provided the opportunity to learn, engage, network, and envision possibilities for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

Pat’s Place is grateful for Mecklenburg County’s belief in and fiscal support of its mission and honored to be a leader in the community’s quest for accessible, appropriate trauma treatment for all children.

BY THE NUMBERS

Age of clients served: 0-6 years

29% 7-12

41% 13-18

30%

HANDLE WITH CARE VALUABLE PARTNERSHIPS LEAD TO EARLY NOTIFICATION OF CHILD TRAUMA The term “handle with care” originated in the packaging industry, indicating that contents were “fragile” and should be treated with extra attention regarding packing material and marked with appropriate “caution signals.” Today, if you enter the term into a search engine, followed by “Charlotte, NC,” you will find that the local community has adopted a notification system that alerts school personnel to a child who was exposed to or involved in a traumatic event the evening before. The notice will simply state the child’s name followed by the term, “handle with care,” allowing key staff members to monitor the student in case they require extra attention or assistance.

Partnering with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), via American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding awarded by Mecklenburg County’s Department of Public Health, Pat’s Place led the effort to explore and introduce this initiative in the local community. Handle with Care (HWC) was created by the West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice and has been successful in numerous communities across the country.

Mecklenburg County’s HWC program is beginning as a pilot in the 14 schools that fall within CMPD’s Freedom patrol division. Pat’s Place is partnering with CMS to collect data and will evaluate the feasibility of launching this program in all 178 schools within CMS. Pat’s Place is excited about this innovative way to support children, improve their learning outcomes, and collaborate with one of the largest, and most important childrenserving organizations in the county. Pat's Place’s partnership with CMS is critical, and together the organizations have identified additional opportunities to collaborate, which will broaden the impact on the children of Mecklenburg County.

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CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH CALLING THE COMMUNITY TO ACTION Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center is committed year-round to improving the system of protection for child victims of abuse, but during national Child Abuse Prevention Month each April, the team turns communication and awareness efforts up a notch to shine a spotlight on the ongoing child abuse crisis in the local community.

To kick off 2023 Child Abuse Prevention Month in Charlotte, a community awareness press conference was held at the Government Center in late March. Pat’s Place also hosted multiple Pinwheel Planting events to bring partners together to officially commence awareness activities. Throughout April, Pat’s Place provided seven educational training sessions for 165 people. The month wrapped up with the annual Everyday Heroes Philanthropy Luncheon, which was preceded by a special panel discussion.

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PINWHEEL PLANTING

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

An annual tradition, Pat’s Place staff, board members, partners, and community members came together to “plant” pinwheels to raise child abuse prevention awareness. This year, three Pinwheel Planting events were held, including a planting at the Government Center after the awareness month kickoff press conference, a community-wide planting in Uptown Charlotte, and planting on the front lawn of Pat’s Place on East Boulevard in Dilworth. Across all three events, more than 400 pinwheels were planted by more than 30 partners and community members to represent the child victims of abuse in Mecklenburg County. Pat’s Place invited members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to join them in the planting activity, which was followed by a special MDT Appreciation Lunch at Latta Park in appreciation for the team’s continued service and support to help children impacted by abuse or violence finding healing.

The evening before the Everyday Heroes Luncheon, Pat’s Place joined forces with Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich’s and his wife Linda Reich’s kNot Today Foundation to host an important conversation about the protection of children. The kNot Today Foundation’s mission is to protect every child from sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.

The panel featured Frank and Linda Reich, Founder of Erin's Law and keynote speaker for the luncheon Erin Merryn, CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal L. Hill, and Pat’s Place CEO Andrew Oliver. Moderated by local radio personality Romona Holloway, the private panel discussion for key stakeholders was entitled “A Team Approach To Ending Child Abuse” and reinforced that everyone has a responsibility to protect children from abuse and that strength comes from partnering together in this unified mission.

To a child, it doesn’t matter who you are, it matters what action you take. Everyone can be a part of the solution to help stop child abuse. Community members, advocates, and businesses are encouraged to get involved and talk about child abuse.

The event was sponsored by Bank of America.

EVERYDAY HEROES LUNCHEON

2023 marked the fifth year that Pat’s Place hosted its annual Everyday Heroes Luncheon, a philanthropy luncheon created to raise funds and awareness of child abuse in the local community. The luncheon was hosted at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a new venue for this event, and was the largest gathering with 340 attendees and the most funds raised since the inaugural event held in 2017. Pat’s Place exceeded its fundraising goal of $100,000 with a total raised of over $138,000 in donations and sponsorships.

Pat’s Place was honored to welcome advocate Erin Merryn as the keynote speaker for the luncheon. Merryn is a nationally recognized speaker, advocate, and published author. A survivor of child sexual abuse, she is the force behind Erin's Law, a law that requires personal body safety taught in public schools. Her message mirrors that of Pat’s Place: every person has the power to step up, speak up, and take action to help stop child abuse.

Starting at age 6, Merryn was sexually abused and assaulted by a family friend, then again as an early teen by a family member. Her personal experience drove her advocacy, education, and career choice— she holds a masters degree in social work—and eventually the creation of Erin’s Law. Introduced in 2011 in Merryn’s home state of Illinois, Erin’s Law requires public schools in each state to implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program that teaches students in grades pre-K to 12th grade ageappropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult. Erin’s Law has since passed in 38 states, as of January 2023, but has yet to be adopted in North Carolina.

Pat’s Place’s new, powerful mission video was unveiled at the event. New sponsors and donors, including seven new table hosts, supported the event this year. The annual event was a success because of the crucial support of donors, sponsors, advocates, and partners that continue to join Pat’s Place in the mission of ending child abuse and helping children impacted heal.

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KEEPING KIDS SAFE ONLINE PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN FROM ONLINE EXPLOITATION The technology revolution and social media have created a new pathway for predators to access, engage, and exploit children. A focus of Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center’s education and community engagement program is to help parents protect their children and teens from online exploitation. Pat’s Place offers training, fact sheets, and other resources to reduce the risk for harm to children while online. Parents are advised to set rules related to when and where electronic devices are used at home (i.e., phones or tablets are not allowed in the bedroom or bathroom, limiting Wi-Fi access after a certain time each night, etc.) Pat’s Place provides information regarding apps that assist the parent in monitoring their children’s activity, providing the opportunity for conversation and education, and the introduction of more limits if indicated.

Tips for Parents • Talk to your kids openly and honestly.

• Teach children and teens what to do if someone approaches them online.

• Teach children and teens the strategies that online predators use (flattery, buying gifts, etc.).

• Encourage your kids to tell you about anything that makes them uncomfortable, even if they broke an internet safety rule.

• Monitor internet usage regularly.

• Restrict internet usage at night.

• Do not allow phones in the bathroom or bedroom.

• Report concerning messages to law enforcement or the cyber tipline at missingkids.org.

Internet Rules for Youth • Never communicate with someone you do not know.

• Do not share personal information online, including while gaming.

• Do not talk to someone across multiple platforms (ex. moving conversations from Instagram to Snapchat).

• Make all social media accounts private.

• Never meet someone in person after first meeting online.

• Do not share passwords to your phone or apps with friends.

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Sexting and Sextortion Sexting is when one person sends another person sexually explicit photographs, videos, or messages. Talk to teens about the dangers of sexting.

• • •

People pretend to be someone else to get young people to send photos.

When you send a video or image, you do not have control over who sees it.

If a person’s phone connects to a wireless network, others have access to the phone’s content.

Sextortion is when a person threatens or blackmails a child or teen and demands sexual images, sexual activity, or money. It often occurs after young people believe they are communicating with someone their own age and share nude or sexual images of themselves. After the criminals have pictures or videos, they threaten to share them unless they get what they want.

Router Parental Controls • Router parental controls allow you to limit screen time and websites on your home Wi-Fi. • Router add-ons: Devices that you can add to your home router that set time limits on certain apps and devices, monitor browsing history, etc. on your home Wi-Fi. • Circle Home Plus • Koala Safe • Cujo • Bark • Norton Family

Monitoring Apps Monitoring apps are applications that are installed on the primary account holder’s phone that monitor other devices on the account and send alerts regarding concerning content. Features may include social media monitoring, blocking nude content and explicit websites, and setting screen time.

• Bark • Canopy • Qustodio • NetNanny • FamilyTime • Moment • Mobicip Note: This list is for informational purposes only. It is not exhaustive or an endorsement of any product.

For more resources, check out great resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children missingkids.org/netsmartz/ resources or https://www.patsplacecac.org/resources/online-safety/

Contact education@patsplacecac.org if you are interested in requesting more information.

Monitoring Phone Usage • Set content and privacy restrictions (search "content and privacy restrictions” in a phone’s search engine to find instructions).

• Limit ability to install and delete apps.

• Prevent explicit content and content ratings on music and movies.

• Filter website content.

• iPhone: Family Sharing - a parent or guardian can set up an account with age-appropriate content access, screen time settings, and more.

• Android: Google Play app - set up parental controls for apps, games, and other digital content.

BY THE NUMBERS

Gender of clients served: Female

Male

70% 29% Unknown/Other

1%

IMPACT PARTNERS

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

SMALL ACTS CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT

SMALL ACTS CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT

This year, Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center wanted to provide friends and supporters with a way to take their charitable giving to the next level. With that in mind, Pat’s Place launched a monthly giving program: Impact Partners. Impact Partners are committed individuals who provide a monthly gift to support the programs of Pat’s Place. Any amount, big or small, makes an impact in the lives of children who have suffered abuse.

The Circle of Friends Giving Society recognizes individuals, corporate champions, and foundations who contribute a minimum of $1,000 to Pat’s Place over the course of one fiscal year. This year, Pat’s Place is pleased to honor the 186 members who have collectively contributed over $1,139,532 to support children who have experienced abuse in the local community. To see the full list of Friends, visit patsplacecac.org.

$10/month ($120/year) Provides snacks for all children and caregivers in support of the Response Services team. $15/month ($180/year) Provides books for our Free Little Library filled with educational materials. $20/month ($240/year) Provides court support and transportation for a child and their family.

To learn how you can become a Circle of Friends member and to discuss membership benefits, contact Lori Avery, Chief Development Officer, at lori@patsplacecac.org

$25/month ($300/year) Provides an hour of interpreting support for one client interview. $50/month ($600/year) Provides one year of traumainformed care and human trafficking educational courses in a CMS school. $100/month ($1,200/year) Provides a professional development training session for a CHAT Collaborative provider.

Contact Elisia McKnight, Development Associate, at elisia@patsplacecac.org for more information on becoming an Impact Partner.

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ACRONYMS GLOSSARY ARPA - American Rescue Plan Act CAC - Child Advocacy Center CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CD-CP - Child Development-Community Policing CMPD - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department CMS - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools DEI - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion DiSC® - Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness FJC - Family Justice Center MDT - Multidisciplinary Team PSR - Practice Self-Regulation SDOH - Social Determinants of Health SRC - Survivor Resource Center

SAVE THE DATE RHYTHM & BREWS FEBRUARY 24, 2024 THE PENINSULA CLUB Celebrating 10 years! A great way to celebrate with our friends up at the Lake! Guests enjoy a casual fun-filled evening with delicious food, craft beer, and lively music with 250+ of our closest friends and supporters.

Special thanks to all our 2023 Rhythm & Brews sponsors for their generosity!

EVERYDAY HEROES APRIL 23, 2024 NASCAR HALL OF FAME An opportunity for individuals to learn about the mission of Pat's Place in an intimate setting during an hour-long program while raising money to support children and families affected by abuse.

Special thanks to all our 2023 Everyday Heroes sponsors for their generosity!

Elite Sponsor: Champion Sponsor:

BBQ & BLUE JEANS SEPTEMBER 2024 459 HEMPSTEAD PL, CHARLOTTE, NC 28207 Celebrating 20 years! The signature fundraising event for Pat's Place where guests enjoy a casual evening with Midwood Smokehouse BBQ, cold beer and wine, and lively music in an outdoor setting with 250+ of our closest friends.

Special thanks to all our 2022 BBQ & Blue Jeans sponsors for their generosity! Guardian Sponsor: Sarah Salton.

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IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED, CALL: 980-31-HELPS OR 911

Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919- 807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.

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