Child advocacy center to rise on county site FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - It was many years in the making, but a ground-breaking ceremony was held April 5 for the new Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center. The center, to be built on the county's campus off Kozloski Road, next to the agriculture building and across from the Monmouth County Police Academy, will provide a safe haven for children who are victims of child abuse. It will be a place where they can access medical care and mental health, social advocacy and law enforcement services following a report of abuse, according to a press release. The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders donated the land and appropriated $750,000 toward construction. Another $500,000 came from the state Department of Children and Families. The first phase of construction, expected to be completed by the end of 2008 and cost $1.5 million, will have a reception area, a waiting room and interview rooms. Money is being raised for a second phase. "Today's ground-breaking is really monumental," said Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the courts and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. "Child abuse is a terrible crime and happens far too often. These are the most vulnerable members of our society and we need to take care of them." "Monmouth County needs a safe haven for children who are victimized - not an office building - but a place where they will be comfortable speaking with authorities about their difficult ordeal," said Freeholder Robert D. Clifton, liaison to the Department of Human services. "With this center we will achieve that goal and it will be a shining star in Monmouth County." Last year the state Division of Youth and Family Services received more than 3,000 reports of child abuse, neglect and assault in Monmouth County, according to the press release from the county. More than 700 of those cases rose to the level of criminal prosecution. The Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center is based on a national model that represents the best standards of care for child victims and will locate all professionals under one roof. "This center is such a valuable asset to our county and will provide the absolute resources that are needed for our young people who are our most vulnerable victims," said Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin, who began his law enforcement career prosecuting child abuse cases. "As we become aware of the significant increase in sex abuse cases and child predation in our county and throughout the state, a resource and a center like this is most vital and is crucial." According to the press release, the effort to build the Child Advocacy Center has been a partnership between the public and private sectors. Planning began eight years ago and, since 2003, Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center has raised $2.5 million toward the total cost estimate of $6 million. The second phase will require construction of a second building that will be linked to the main structure and would include a mental health treatment area, a medical examination room and office space. Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center hope to raise the additional $3.5 million by the end of 2008 so construction is not interrupted between the first and second phases. Prosecutors, police, DYFS workers, victim-witness advocates, medical professionals and mental health personnel will eventually have offices at the center. Kevin Ryan, commissioner of the state Department of Children and Families, said about half of the state's 21 counties have child advocacy centers. "In all cases where there is a child advocacy center there is an up-tick in convictions of predators," Ryan said. "These are monsters who prey on kids, so my enthusiasm today is sobered by the kids we lost. I long for the day when this place is built and we work together to keep our kids safe." Having all of the necessary services under one roof will result in a more coordinated response and investigation into reports of child abuse. It also will be less traumatic for the children because they will have to travel to only one location to tell their story, greatly reducing their stress, according to the press release. Without a centralized facility, children travel to various locations to access these services.