Sunflower House

Child assessment program: Sunflower House's child assessment program is focused on ensuring that victims of child abuse and their families receive their best chance at justice and healing. The program works toward this goal by coordinating a collaborative response to child sexual or physical abuse allegations, including law enforcement, child protection workers, medical and mental health providers, victim advocates, and prosecutors. Once a child in johnson or wyandotte counties makes a disclosure of abuse and it is reported to local child protection services or law enforcement, a referral is made to Sunflower House. Our interview specialists conduct child-sensitive interviews of alleged child victims using proven forensic practices. Sunflower House coordinates specialized medical examinations by forensic medical providers, and mental health therapy, available onsite through a contract with paces, a local mental health provider, or other qualified trauma-focused therapists in the community. Additionally, the families receive advocacy and support services from Sunflower House family advocates for as long as needed. From july 2022-june 2023, Sunflower House conducted 521 forensic interviews for 502 children and 3 adults with developmental disabilities. This is a 11% increase in the number of forensic interviews from the previous year. Sunflower House forensic interviewers prepared for 46 court cases, attend court on 22 occasions and testified in court 15 times. 425 families and caregivers received family advocacy support services, a 9.5% increase in services from the previous year.family advocacy and support services from Sunflower House are available as long as needed by the non-offending family and/or caregiver. Mental health therapy is available on-site or via telehealth through a partnership with paces, the child and family arm of wyandot behavioral health network. The paces therapists are trained in multiple evidence based trauma treatment modalities designed for children and families. 535 individuals were referred for therapy services. This is a 28% increase in therapy referrals. Trauma assessments and suicide screens are being completed on individuals receiving therapy services.

Education program: Sunflower House partners with more than 241 johnson and wyandotte county schools, preschools, and child serving agencies to provide personal safety and sexual abuse prevention programs. This is a 38% increase in education sites. Our flagship program, the happy bear play, teaches 4-7 year olds to recognize, resist and report child abuse to a trusted adult. Let's talk, think first and stay safe is designed for children in grades 2nd-5th. E-safety is presented in partnership with law enforcement to middle school and high school youth. Sunflower House teaches age-appropriate personal safety at ages when children are most vulnerable to sexual abuse. Professionals are taught their legal mandated reporter responsibilities, how to recognize the signs of maltreatment, and reporting processes. Other programs offered to adults in the community included keeping kids safe online and stewards of children. From july 2022-june 2023, Sunflower House provided prevention and education programming to 40,475 individuals. This is an all time record for Sunflower House. Sunflower House provides prevention and education programs on-site, virtual training or through our online academy. Sunflower House has partnered with local school districts in order to increase the awareness of abuse and recovery. Sunflower House is able to give a common language to adults and children on how to recognize abuse, respond to abuse and make reports.