Tooele County Attorney
Children's Justice Center
Making a Difference for Children and Families
Traditionally, investigation of child abuse required multiple interviews of the victim by police, social services, medical personnel, attorneys, and psychologists. Each interview occurred at a different place, and rarely in a setting, to the victim, that was familiar or comfortable.
The Children's Justice Center is a homelike environment that eliminates the need for multiple interviews, and is non-threatening to victims. By utilizing the CJC, investigators can coordinate and begin the investigative process with a minimal amount of trauma to child victims of physical or sexual abuse.
State of the art audio and video equipment helps in preserving the interview for evidentiary purposes, and aids in the continued investigation process. The goal is to produce a comprehensive response in exploring allegations of abuse, provide recommendations to parents regarding safety and treatment needs of the child, and to stabilize the crises often experienced by the family.
Multi-Disciplinary Team
At the heart of the Children's Justice Center is the multi-disciplinary team. The team is comprised of Law Enforcement, Child Protective Services, Mental Health Professionals, County Attorney Prosecutors, Guardians Ad Litem, Attorney General Prosecutors, and Children's Justice Center Staff. The CJC combines the perspective and professional knowledge of each respective team member for a more complete understanding of individual case issues, and to ensure thorough follow-up on each case.
How Does it Work?
The Children's Justice Center coordinates:
- A comprehensive child and family interview process by trained professionals
- Audio/Video taped interviews screened for technical optimization, and in a child friendly environment
- Screening of cases for prosecution
- Counseling and treatment referrals
- Victim/Witness support services
- Case progress tracking and monitoring
- Community and professional education on abuse issues
- Support and information services for parents and guardians
- Case staffing by a team of professionals
Community Efforts Make the Difference
As a community, we value children and families. Children in our community are being physically, psychologically, emotionally, and sexually victimized every day. Although we can't possibly stop every act of abuse, we can make an effort to be aware, and assist as many of these children as we can. Fragmenting the process by which we investigate these cases of abuse has proven ineffective and often times traumatic for child victims.
The Children's Justice Center refocuses on the child's need for safety and brings diverse systems together to better serve the needs of the child, the family, and the community.
Protecting children from abuse is everyone's responsibility. If you are aware of a child who is being abused, neglected, or mistreated, please report to one of the following agencies:
| Tooele City Police | (435) 882-8900 |
| Tooele County Sheriff's Department | (435) 882-5600 |
| Division of Child and Family Services | (435) 833-7350 |
| Division of Child and Family Reporting | (855) 323-3237 |
| Grantsville City Police | (435) 884-6881 |
| Wendover Police | (435) 665-7011 |
Advisory Board Members |
|
| Paul Wimmer, Chair | Tooele County Sheriff |
| Brian White, Vice-Chair | Tooele County Chief Deputy Sheriff |
| Scott Broadhead | Tooele County Attorney |
| Diana Obray | Guardian Ad Litem |
| Dave McCall | Tooele City Councilman |
| Laney Riegel | Friends Board Chair |
| Shawn Milne | Tooele County Commissioner |
| Ron Kirby | Tooele City Police Chief |
| Rachael Cowan | CJC Director |
| Doelene Pitt | Tooele County School District |
| Jacob Enslen | Grantsville City Police Chief |
| Sarah Debois | Valley Behavioral Health |
| Steven Sullivan | DCFS |
| Friends Board Members | |
| Nikki Mathis | NMKB Consulting, LLC |
| Laney Riegel, Chair | Mustard Seed Realty |
| Camille Hadzik | |
| Tammy Griffith | Premier Utah Real Estate |
| Trisha Richards, Vice Chair | |
| Frances Siniscalchi | |
| Patty Bullock-Drochner | |
| Wendy Stott | |
| Holly Tate | |
| Children's Justice Center Staff | |
| Rachael Cowan | Director |
| Kari Sorensen | Case Worker |
| Ronica Jones | Case Worker |
Children's Justice Center Board Meetings
Community/State Partnership
Money has been appropriated by the State Legislature for minimal operational funding, but the citizens of our community have provided and furnished the facility that houses the Tooele County Children's Justice Center. The community also funds ongoing support services to child victims. Community volunteers are a great asset to the Center, and are constantly needed to help provide emotional support and other resources for victims and families.
The Children's Justice Center is a unique community and state partnership on behalf of children. While government agencies provide necessary investigation services, the citizens of Tooele County can be counted on to make the critical difference in aiding child victims in the healing process. The Center is an opportunity to provide the precious gifts of caring, love, and support to our children, and an investment in the future of our community.
If you would like to make a difference in the lives of child victims of abuse in our community as a volunteer, please feel free to contact us. We also accept monetary contributions which are completely tax deductible.
Thank you for your support!
The Tooele County Children's Justice Center
25 South 100 East • Tooele, UT 84074
Telephone: (435) 843-3440 • Fax: (435) 843-0050