The Hirschfield Center for Children seeks to help children avoid behavioral, emotional and mental health problems by strengthening families and working to prevent child abuse and neglect.
PROGRAMS - Hirschfield Center
The Family Advocate Project helps families at risk of child abuse or neglect to stabilize and gain control of their lives. Working with each family, staff at the Hirschfield Center create an individualized service plan to fit the family’s specific needs. Each plan focuses on and supports the family’s strengths. Skill building includes, but is not limited to, parenting skills, establishing structure in the home, setting appropriate consequences, child developmental capabilities, individualized work with children, and referrals to other community agencies. Enrollment can be voluntary or court-ordered and services are provided for a period of six months to one year.
Teton County Family Treatment Court is for families with a child involved in the juvenile justice system. This is a collaborative effort between the Hirschfield Center, District Court, County Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, Wyoming Department of Family Services, Teton County School District and treatment providers. This is a voluntary program in which families participate for about one year and work through a four-phase system. Families begin by appearing in court once a week and are assigned tasks by the judge. Prior to court each week, the Family Treatment Court team meets to review progress with respect to assigned tasks, school and ongoing treatment. The Family Treatment Court is successful because it addresses problems or situations as they arise.
Forensic Interviewing: The Hirschfield Center works as part of a multi-disciplinary team to effectively investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect. This process begins with a forensic interview with the child victim, which is a structured, fact- finding query designed to reduce secondary trauma to the child. The interview is held in a child-friendly environment that is conducive to begin the healing process. The Hirschfield Center Staff is trained in several forensic interviewing protocols so that all members of the multi-disciplinary team get the information they need without submitting the child to additional interviews. The interview is digitally recorded and can be given to law enforcement immediately so the investigation may begin.