For more than 40 years, CARE House of Oakland County has been serving the area's most vulnerable - kids in unsafe situations.  There is no "business as usual" when it comes to the work they do, but like all of us, they've had to adapt to the pandemic.

Blythe Tyler, the organization's CEO, joins us today to explain the legal and counseling work that CARE House does. This includes a shift to therapy sessions via telehealth for victims and their families.  Also, their forensic interviews are able to continue.

1 in 10 kids in Oakland County has been abused.  Because many cases are of a sexual nature, they often go unreported. 90% percent of these abusers know their victims.

As the Coronavirus crisis unfolded, CARE House didn't simply blanket their clients with what they thought these families needed.  They actually asked what those areas of need are.  Like the abuse itself, COVID-19 knows no socioeconomic boundaries.

Families told CARE House they need essentials.  This includes food, diapers, cleaning supplies, and more. Care house is now helping more than 60 families in need. In addition to telehealth, this includes contact-less drop off of these essential items.

Blythe also explains Early Head Start, part of the national Head Start program for kids at risk. 

Often times, abuse is reported by teachers or other facilitators outside the home.  With all of us staying at home, potentially with abusers, Blythe talks about her concern for these victims and what can be done now.  Not only can you report potential abuse on their website, but you can also take an online training course on what to do if you suspect abuse.

This is a difficult time for all of us, and CARE House is doing a web series called Strong Families on their site, as a resource for the community.

Resources:

Care House Website https://www.carehouse.org/

Prevention Education https://www.carehouse.org/prevention-education/

Care House Blog https://occarehouse.wordpress.com/

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