In-House Service Programs

• Deirdre’s House Advocacy Program
  The goal of this core program is to provide a safe, comfortable, home-like environment for children and families suffering the trauma of abuse or family violence to receive comprehensive services. Our facility is the only site in Morris County to house all of the following:
  
  Digital recording equipment, as well as three age appropriate rooms used by law enforcement and child protective services to conduct interviews.
  
  A state of the art medical room and state designated Pediatric Abuse Specialist from the Regional Diagnostic Center at Hackensack University Medical Center to conduct medical examinations and short-term follow-up treatment.
  
  A Licensed Counselor providing individual and/or family therapy free of charge. Counseling services are also available in Spanish.
  
  
• Forensic Interview Videotaping and Trial Preparation
  In Morris County, interviews with children 12 and under regarding allegations of child abuse and neglect must be videotaped. The Center is the “first stop” in a child abuse investigation, and the only facility in Morris County which provides the Morris County’s Prosecutor’s Office, local law enforcement, and child protective services with state of the art digital recording equipment as well as age appropriate interview rooms to meet this requirement. In addition, the Center acts as a safe and comfortable meeting place for prosecutors, detectives, victims, and witnesses to meet and prepare for court appearances and trials.
  
  
• CHEC (Comprehensive Health Evaluation) Program
  This program ensures that all children in foster placement have their medical and mental health needs assessed. Children placed in foster, kinship or resource family care under DYFS supervision are required to have a CHEC. In collaboration with Audrey Hepburn Children’s House/Hackensack University Medical Center, Deirdre’s House is the Morris County location for this program.
  
  
• Family Advocacy/Crisis Intervention Counseling
  This program provides individual and family counseling to child victims, non-offending caregiver (NOC’s), and survivors of abuse. Offered is a comprehensive program of supportive listening, crisis intervention, counseling, case management, support during court proceedings and other case related events, and follow-up. The assessment of the victim, survivor, or NOC’s needs is on-going and telephone support and intervention is available throughout the process and beyond.
  
  
• Family and Survivors Group
  These programs provide an opportunity for families, parents, and survivors of sexual abuse and family violence to participate in a closed ended group dynamic. The groups function under the premise of a traditional survivors group. The thrust of the group is to enhance the process of healing through group functions that strengthen and empower the group participants. Referrals are solicited by the clinician, through the appropriate Morris County agencies, the Morris County Multi-Disciplinary Team, as well as individuals within the community.
  
  
• Familias en Paz (Families in Peace)
  This group focuses on parents and children of Latino families living in Morris County who have experienced or are at risk for abuse or family violence. The goals of this group are to teach families to be able to recognize violence in its different forms, be better prepared to handle conflicts, learn to understand and find appropriate ways to deal with anger, work on the concept of self-esteem, understand the concept of discipline and its implications, discuss drug and alcohol prevention, and understand and work on the concept of responsibility/emotional maturity and its implications on decision making, all while addressing the unique cultural issues that impact these topics.
  
  
• Child Respite Care Program
  This program provides on-site respite care for children ages 2-17 while their non-offending caregiver (NOC) is pursuing legal protection for the family or related court matters. The goal is to improve the attendance of NOC’s at necessary legal proceedings by providing affordable, reliable, safe, emotionally supportive and therapeutically helpful childcare.
  
  
• S.H.I.N.E. (Scholarships Helping Inspire New Expectations)
  Provides scholarships to abused, neglected, and at-risk children, including those who have witnessed abuse or violence in the home, for mainstream after school and community programs. These include, but are not limited to: sports, arts, and science programs. The program’s intent is to increase the child’s independence, academic performance, and self-esteem. Amounts up to $500.00 per child may be awarded, with the option of renewal by repeat application.
  
  
• D.E.A.R. (Day Education Arts Recreation) Camp
  Provides scholarship awards of up to $500.00 per child for wholesome and fun camping experiences to area children who have suffered abuse, neglect, or have witnessed violence in the home. Participating children are supplied with items to create scrapbooks of their camp experience and document joyful memories that will last a lifetime.  
  
  
• The Healing Fund
  Provides funding to assist children and their families with crisis and emergency situations (imminent utility shut off), health and hygiene costs (medical, dental or vision needs, grooming and hygiene items and services), and appropriate family and/or school social activities. The program’s objectives are to offer support to non-offending caregivers (NOC) and child victims through financial awards, allowing them to focus their attention on the healing process and regaining financial and emotional stability and improve the child victim’s self-esteem, self-image, socialization skills and confidence.
  
  
• Volunteer Program
  Recruits, trains, monitors, and evaluates a bank of dedicated men and women who lend their helping hands in a variety of capacities in and around the Center. Volunteer opportunities include: office assistance, Center upkeep, coordinating holiday gift drives, fundraising, event planning, and community education.
  

Community Programs and Memberships

• Morris County Multi-Disciplinary Team
  A group of professionals from Morris County agencies (law enforcement, mental health, and child protective services) who provide a coordinated and collaborative response to child abuse, domestic violence, and juvenile cases in order to maximize services, minimize trauma, and ensure the needs of the victim and his/her family are being met.
  
  
• Morris County Child Abuse Prevention Collaboration
  Provides a unique collaboration of government and service agencies, community organizations, and concerned citizens. The Collaboration conducts training seminars and conferences for public and professionals, and engages in child abuse prevention and intervention advocacy.