About Us
About the Community
Columbia County is a rural community with a population of approximately 44,000 individuals. These individuals are spread out among eight different communities. Children 17 years old and younger represent approximately 27% of the population. Last year, there were more than 1000 reports of child abuse concerns to the local Child Welfare Office.
About the Center
The Columbia County Child Abuse Assessment Center is a non-profit organization established in October of 2000 for the purposes of developing and operating a community-based center where alleged child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and/or domestic violence have access to evaluative, counseling, and support services in a child-friendly setting.
Referrals to the Center
Referrals to the program come from Department of Human Services, law enforcement agencies, mental-health providers, Women’s Resource Center, DA’s Office, medical personnel, partner agencies, and caregivers.
Support and Funding
The Center sustains program services by medical insurance reimbursements, grants, fundraising projects, Child Abuse Multi-disciplinary Intervention funds, private donations, Crime Victims Compensation reimbursements, volunteers, and in-kind donations. (It should be noted that no family is denied services based on inability to pay).
Financial support for the Center is provided through grants, medical insurance reimbursements, Child Abuse Multi-disciplinary Intervention funds, private donations, Crime Victims Compensation reimbursements, and community support.
Other Centers Similar to Amani Center
There are many other programs similar to the Center in Columbia County. In fact, there are currently 19 child advocacy centers in the State of Oregon. Oregon is but one of many states to utilize centers in helping children suspected to be victims of abuse and/or domestic violence. As each county in our state is required to have a Multi-disciplinary Team to review child abuse cases, each county is also required to have services in place that ensure that every child reasonably suspected to be abused has access to therapeutic medical assessments (ORS 418.780 - 418.796 Statutes). Furthermore, the Center is an active member of the Oregon Network of Child Abuse Intervention Centers and has already achieved Associate Membership status with the National Children’s Alliance.
How You Can Help
Cash donations are always needed and appreciated. Your donation to the Center may be tax deductible.
Donations of materials—such as office supplies, medical supplies, and new children’s toys.
Join our team of volunteers. Call the Center to talk to a staff person about volunteer options.
For more information about the Center or to make a referral, please call 503-366-4005 or 503-396-5473, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 P.M.
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