By Kansan Staff
The Newton Kansan is teaming up with Heart to Heart Child Advocacy for a snack drive for the children served by the center.
Heart to Heart provides court bags filled with items to make the child comfortable and keep them entertained while in court. They are there to support the child and the family.
“Whatever they need in court, that’s what we do,” said Veronica Bargdill, executive director of Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center.
Heart to Heart needs snacks, copy paper, fidgets, coloring supplies, and bottled water to put in the court bags for the children.
The drive will run through August 31. Donations can be dropped off at the Newton Kansan office, 517 N. Main, between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Donations can also be dropped off at from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Faith and Life Bookstore, 606 N. Main.
Opening in Newton in 2001 and now with offices in McPherson and Marion, Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center works with children 2 to 18 years old who have experienced child abuse.
The agency allows children to talk about their experiences in a safe, child-friendly environment and only tell it once.
In the past, children would be interviewed by multiple agencies in multiple locations, compounding the trauma. Heart to Heart invites them into their interview room with all involved agencies and speak with them at the developmental level of the child.
“The children will come out and say, ‘I’m so happy I was able to tell my story,’” said Veronica Bargdill, executive director of Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center.
They provide advocacy for children as well as conducting interviews. The staff meet with families to explain the process and answer any questions they have. Heart to Heart refers clients to mental health services, assists with getting rental and food assistance, and goes to court with the children.
Heart to Heart also provides mandated reporter training and training on how to spot child abuse. The presentations are free with no minimum number of participants.
“We feel very strongly that it’s a community’s job to address child abuse because it’s all our responsibility,” Bargdill said. “We have given a training to one, and we’ve given a training to 200.”
Training can be customized to fit what the person or group is wanting to learn.
Child Advocacy Centers of Kansas provides these possible indicators of child abuse or neglect. If you see these signs, talk with your child, listen to them and make a report if needed.
● Unexplained injuries
● Changes in emotional behavior, including withdrawal, fear, anxiety or aggression
● Fear of going home with a certain person
● Changes in school performance or frequent absences from school
● Changes in sleeping patterns, nightmares
● Regressive behaviors such as fear of dark, fear of strangers or loss of acquired language
● Demonstrates bizarre or unusual sexual knowledge or behaviors
● Presence of a sexually transmitted disease or infection
● Disregard for physical hygiene
● Sudden changes in eating
● Begs for or steals food
● Lacks medical or dental care
● Risk-taking behaviors, such as alcohol or drug use, running away
● If a child tells you about abuse, listen. Believe. Children rarely lie about abuse. Reassure the child it’s not his/her fault. Report the abuse to the authorities.
