area partners renew their commitment to protecting kids from abuse

Greene County leaders and area partners reaffirmed their commitment today to keeping children safe from abuse and neglect, by signing an interagency agreement to support Michael’s House. Designated representatives from 21 agencies renewed their support of the child advocacy center and its unique approach to handling the most serious, complex cases in the community.

Located in Fairborn, Michael’s House is one of three child advocacy centers in the area – the other two are CARE House in Montgomery County and the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County. Dedicated in December 2008, it is named in honor of Michael Mercurio, who passed away unexpectedly on July 4, 2007 at the age of 37.

“Michael devoted his life to improving the lives of others, particularly children, even when he was a child himself,” says Elaine Mercurio, Michael’s mother and co-founder of Michael’s House. “He traveled to Romania every year to give dental care to children in orphanages. The partnership here and the dedication to making lives better for children is a fitting legacy for his name.”

Michael’s House provides a warm, welcoming, safe environment for children who have been abused to share their story one time with those who need to hear it – from police officers to prosecutors, from therapists to doctors. This protects children from telling what has happened to them multiple times, reducing further trauma.

“For Dayton Children’s, being a part of Michael’s House means providing and supporting the medical and mental health experts who can give these children the best care possible, not just today, but in the future, in the hopes of a full and lasting recovery,” says Deborah A. Feldman, president and CEO of Dayton Children’s Hospital.

"Michael’s House is a safe haven that allows children in Greene County who have been abused to begin the healing process immediately,” said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. “Michael’s House provides the support children need from a variety of local agencies that are working together on the child’s behalf.”

“Children can quickly become overwhelmed by sharing all the sensitive and painful details with up to a dozen people in the justice system,” says Stephen K. Haller, Greene County Prosecuting Attorney. “Michael’s House removes those extra layers of abuse while preserving the details we need to get a conviction.”

Interagency Agreement Community Partners:

• Beavercreek Police Department
• Bellbrook Police Department
• Cedarville Police Department
• Dayton Children’s Hospital
• Fairborn Police Department
• Family and Children’s First Council
• Greene County Board of Developmental Disabilities
• Greene County Children Services
• Greene County Coroner’s Office
• Greene County Court Appointed Special Advocates
• Greene County Juvenile Court
• Greene County Prosecutor’s Office
• Greene County Sheriff’s Office
• Jamestown Police Department
• Mental Health & Recovery Board of Clark, Greene and Madison Counties
• Ohio State Highway Patrol – Xenia Patrol Post 29
• Sugarcreek Township Police Department
• TCN Behavioral Health Services
• Wright State University Public Safety
• Xenia Police Department
• Yellow Springs Police Department

As a National Children’s Alliance accredited center, Michael’s House is designed, furnished and staffed to promote healing, featuring:

• Specially equipped rooms for child forensic interviews

• A playroom that safely accommodates a variety of age groups and reflects the cultural diversity of our community

• A mock courtroom to help children feel more comfortable in upcoming trials

• Offices for mental health treatment and a medical examination room

• A state-of-the-art training room and comfortable, private meeting rooms

• A living exhibit of fish and turtles to provide a relaxing distraction

Child abuse statistics

• More than 1,100 reports of abuse and neglect come to Greene County Children Services.

• Almost 3,000 children then receive services.

• In 2015, 311,686 children were served in 795 child advocacy centers across the country.

• Since opening, Michael’s House has served nearly 1,100 of the most seriously abused children in Greene County.

• 96% of perpetrators are family members or are known to the child. (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2012)

• A child is abused every 36 seconds across the country. (Children’s Defense Fund)

• Every day, four children die from abuse or neglect in America. (Children’s Defense Fund)

In Ohio, types of abuse are placed in six categories. The following chart shows unduplicated number of new reports in 2013 and the percentage of total reports they represent.

Public Children Services Association of Ohio Factbook, 12^th Edition 2015-2016

For more information, contact:

Stacy Porter

Public relations manager

Phone: 937-641-3666

newsroom@childrensdayton.org