The Kids' FIRST Center of Lane County helps lessen the trauma experienced by child victims of abuse who are going through the judicial process. We provide a warm, child-friendly setting where children can be interviewed, receive medical exams to help criminal investigations, and testify before Lane County’s specially-convened grand jury for child abuse cases. The Center eliminates the need for a child to be shuffled through police stations, doctor's offices and courtrooms, sparing the child fear and trauma often associated with these experiences. The Center provides referrals to community agencies to meet the legal, financial, physical and mental health needs of child victims and their non-offending family members. The Center also informs and educates families about the criminal justice process and keeps each family updated on the status of their case. In addition, the Center offers domestic violence witness intervention, as well as educational support groups for caregivers of children who have been sexually abused. The Kids' FIRST Center is a member of the following organizations:
National Children’s Alliance (charter member), Oregon Network of Child Abuse Intervention Centers,
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), Crime Victim’s Assistance Network (CVAN), and the
National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA) . The Center is also available as a mentor for newly developed child advocacy center programs through the sharing of resources and training in forensic child interviewing, developing a working MDT, and volunteer coordination.