Flagstaff Medical Center’s Safe Child Center celebrated fifteen years of dedicated service to Northern Arizona in March 2009. The Safe Child Center (SCC) was established in 1994 as the first multidisciplinary children’s advocacy center in Arizona. SCC is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance.

As part of FMC’s Children’s Health Center, SCC cares for child victims of abuse or neglect throughout Northern Arizona. The program serves children from birth to age 18, as well as developmentally disabled adults. Since opening, SCC has cared for more than 3,040 children and their families. In the past year, SCC already has cared for more than 260 children, which puts them on track for the busiest years ever.

SCC is dedicated to reducing the stress that children experience as victims of crime and to supporting the efforts of law enforcement and child protection. The center works to ensure that child victims are treated with respect and dignity throughout the investigation process. The Center provides medical evaluations, forensic interviews and family advocacy. In conjunction with FMC’s Behavioral Health Services, counseling is available for children and family members.

In a partnership with Childhelp® Children's Mobile Advocacy Center of Northern Arizona, SCC provides a variety of services to abused children in rural and tribal communities. One of only two in the country, the mobile center offers one-stop multidisciplinary services at selected locations in Northern Arizona, reducing investigation time and trauma for abuse victims and their non-offending family members. The 38-foot specially equipped motor home is staffed by employees from the Safe Child Center. The mobile unit allows SCC staff to interview and examine children closer to the child’s home, further reducing stress on the child and family.

For more information about the Safe Child Center call 928 773-2054.