GLENWOOD SPRINGS — Childhelp River Bridge has been awarded accreditation by National Children's Alliance following an extensive application and site review process.

As the accrediting agency for children's advocacy centers (CAC) across the country, NCA awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient and put the needs of children first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children's Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.

Childhelp River Bridge is a private/public partnership with Garfield County Department of Human Services, serving Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties. Childhelp River Bridge utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to work with local child sexual abuse victims.

The center has been open since December 2007 with the mission of providing a coordinated investigation and response to victims of child abuse. In that time the center has conducted 300 investigations and provided services for approximately 500 clients including victims, siblings and care givers. The center also provides community awareness about prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.

National Children's Alliance awards accredited membership based on a CAC's compliance with 10 national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims. Accredited members must utilize a functioning and effective multidisciplinary team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution, and treatment. The alliance also considers standards regarding a center's cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention and child focused setting. “Given that we opened our doors just under three years ago it's remarkable that we earned our accreditation this quickly,” said Childhelp River Bridge Director Susan Ackerman.

“Our child advocacy center is only as strong as our community partnerships,” said Ackerman. “Fortunately we have excellent partners.”

Childhelp River Bridge is part of a multidisciplinary team that acts within an interagency agreement called a memorandum of understanding.

For more information about Childhelp River Bridge, contact Director Susan Ackerman at sackerman@childhelp.org or call 945-5195.

Childhelp River Bridge multidisciplinary team

Gene Schilling, Carbondale chief of police

Terry Wilson, Glenwood Springs chief of police

Levy Burris, Silt chief of police

Chris Sadler, New Castle chief of police

Daryl Meisner, Rifle chief of police

Cary Parmenter, Parachute chief of police

Lou Vallario, Garfield County sheriff

Lynn Renick, director, Garfield County Department of Human Services

Martin Beeson, 9th Judicial District attorney

Lauren Gueriera, SANE Program — Valleywide Forensic Nurses LLC

Don DeFord, Garfield County Attorney's Office