Talbot Community Connections, Inc.

Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center

“A safe place where a child can speak and be heard”

The Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) provides an effective, collaborative response to the investigation of child abuse in the Mid-Shore Region. Led by the Talbot County Department of Social Services, in partnership with Shore Health System, the CAC is housed in the Pediatric Unit at the Memorial Hospital at Easton. A child-friendly setting with children’s furniture, decorative murals, and suspended kites, this facility offers a neutral environment for investigative team interviews, medical examinations, and advocacy services for abused children while pursuing the prosecution of offenders.

The Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center enhances the response to suspected child abuse cases by increasing communication among professional agencies. These coordinated efforts work to ensure that victims of child sexual abuse/assault, and their non-offending family members, have access to support and services in a safe, culturally respectful environment.

The CAC, spearheaded by Talbot County Department of Social Services, includes child protection workers, law enforcement prosecution, medical and mental health professionals who share information and resources to serve the best needs of the child. The investigative team meets weekly to review interviews, discuss results of medical exams and discuss the progress of the case.

Through local training opportunities and national conferences, the child abuse investigators are trained in child interviewing techniques, linguistics, and the dynamics of abuse. Following set protocol, investigators conduct legally sound child interviews to secure the facts surrounding the abuse. Better communication between agencies makes for a stronger case against the perpetrator.

Families are referred to the Children’s Advocacy Center through the Talbot County Department of Social Services. Other local County Departments of Social Services may refer children for out of county forensic medical exams. Emergency cases may also come in through the Emergency Room at the Memorial Hospital at Easton and other hospitals.

How Can I Help?

Increase community awareness of child maltreatment and mandatory reporting. Speakers are available to community groups for presentations on this and related topics.
Volunteer your time by becoming a member of The Auxiliary of the Memorial Hospital. Caring individuals in our Child Advocacy Center make the family’s visit to the center more comfortable.
Financially support the Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center through donations to Talbot Community Connections, Inc.

Please download our brochure for more detailed information about the CAC.

For Questions and/or Referrals contact:
Talbot County Department of Social Services at 410-822-1617 or email talbotdss@dhr.state.md.us