“The single goal of this whole process for the past four years is to provide a single location here in Blair County that will provide a safe and a less stressful atmosphere for those children who have been a victim of the most horrendous crimes that can be perpetrated on a person, let alone a child,” said Blair County Sheriff Mitch Cooper.

 

With the help of UPMC Altoona, the center will have $40,000 worth of office space and utilities.  It will provide a safe and neutral location for children of abuse.  Medical evaluations will be available and a forensic interviewer will be on site. 

 

“I think this child advocacy center is really the next step, the next iteration that we need for our county and for our children and for law enforcement, for everybody to do our job,” said UPMC Altoona Chief Operating Officer Ron McConnell.

 

Through June of this year, there were 432 reports of abuse in Blair County.  In September alone, there have been 92 reports.  That is over three reports each day.

 

“We at children and youth for the county couldn’t be more pleased that this is finally happening,” said Blair County Children, Youth and Family Services Administrator Stacie Horvath. “You guys heard the numbers and the statistics Jackie stated, and so you know that our work is never done.”

 

“This center is a very important step in healing for children in Blair County who are victims of trauma and, especially, sexual assault,” said Family Services, Inc. Executive Director, Lisa Hann.

 

They hope to open the doors in July 2017.