• Minnesota

    Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Center Will Hold an Open House April 22


In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and to celebrate the recent accreditation by the National Children’s Alliance, the new Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Center will hold an open house April 22. The center serves as a resource for area community groups to respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective, efficient and put the needs of the child victim first. The center provides a child-friendly, safe haven for the abused victim and the family to receive medical attention and participate in the investigation in a single location rather than sharing the story multiple times to different people and at different locations.

The incidence of child abuse in our community is alarming. In 2012, Olmsted County received 1,632 reports regarding child safety or well-being. Of these, 612 reports were screened for concerns of abuse and neglect and 488 assessments or investigations were completed.

WHO: The Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Program, working together with child advocacy organizations in the surrounding communities, formed the new Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Center. A multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health providers, law enforcement, victims’ advocates, attorneys, public health and child protection officials from the surrounding communities will now be able to provide services in one location to victims of child abuse.

The center will serve the surrounding regions as well as Mayo Clinic Health System sites needing these services.

WHEN: Tues., April 22, 3-5 p.m., a brief program will begin at 3 p.m. and feature community leaders involved in the center:

  • Daniel Broughton, M.D., pediatric consultant, founder of the Child and Family Advocacy Center
  • Mark Ostrem, Olmsted County attorney
  • Arne Graff, M.D., Medical Director, Child and Family Advocacy Center

WHERE: The event will be held at the Mayo Clinic Child Advocacy Center: 2720 N. Broadway, Rochester, Minn., 55906

NOTE: Members of the media should RSVP to Kelley Luckstein at 507-284-5005.