A forensic interview is the recording of the child's statement by a trained forensic interviewer.

A forensic interviewer is a trained professional who takes a child’s statement. They are unbiased and specialize in speaking with children at various age levels. Their training is in correlation with the Prosecuting Attorney Association of Michigan's protocol. They are regularly peer reviewed and perform professional development.

We recommend reading this digital book with your child before their their interview: My Voice Matters: A Safe Place to Tell My Truth, by Rylee Tuggle.

Our staff provides continual support for families. This support is information and referrals during and after the forensic interview. We connect them with the team working on their case. Additionally, we connect them with available resources.

Our team provides caregivers with...

• Immediate crisis intervention

• Ongoing case management

• Court assistance

• Follow-up support

TBCAC collaborates with these organizations for medical support:

• Munson Medical Center

• Kalkaska Memorial Health Center

• C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Michigan Medicine

Children are referred to medical services for child abuse concerns such as physical and sexual abuse. Examinations take place in a child-friendly environment. Pediatricians who are board certified in child abuse or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) oversee the exam.

We offer individual and family therapy to children and their non-offending family members who have received our intervention services. Our counseling staff is trained and experienced in cutting-edge best practices:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Play Therapy

We offer free educational programs to groups from all sectors of the community. Our programs teach adults simple actions that can have sweeping, positive effects for children. We offer online learning tools and schools to children. Some programs inform students of the knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe.

Learn more about our Talk Protect Report training and Safe Team Training.

We also present on many topics related to our mission:

• Trauma-informed communities

• Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

• Mandated reporting

• Secondary trauma

• Resilience and mindfulness

TBCAC facilitates the Children’s Trust Michigan Prevention Council. This covers Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties. Council members include organizations that invest in the protection and well-being of children.

The council aims to strengthen prevention work. Every 3 years, the council identifies organizations offering prevention education. They also asses the recipients of these services. Additionally, the council organizes awareness activities to support Child Abuse Prevention Month (April).iption text goes here