Child advocacy center 'Willow Tree' seeks $40,000 from Surry County to shorten forensic-interview delays

Sharon, representing the county’s child-advocacy partnership, told Surry County commissioners on June 2 that the proposed Willow Tree Center — under the umbrella of the county children’s center — would provide forensic interviews, medical exams and family advocacy services locally.

"Right now we're probably at four months where we're waiting for these interviews," Sharon said. "With the Willow Tree up and running we'll probably be able to get in within two to three weeks." She said the center would reduce repeat interviews and related trauma for children who otherwise must travel out of county for services.

Staff described the Willow Tree Center as the county’s first local child advocacy center and said the $40,000 request is an outside-agency allocation that would support part of the center’s operating costs, including a family advocate/forensic-interviewer position and start-up supplies. Commissioners and staff noted the sum would not fully fund operations and asked for additional budget details; staff also said the center must form agreements with DSS, the sheriff’s office, the district attorney and local hospitals to qualify as a child advocacy center.

Why it matters: Local forensic-interview capacity shortens waiting lists, reduces trauma for child victims and coordinates investigations among DSS, law enforcement and prosecutors. The commissioners expressed support but asked staff for more information on the center’s full operating budget and how a county contribution would fit with other funding sources.

Next steps: Staff will consider the outside-agency request in the adopted budget framework and report back as part of routine follow-up; the board included outside-agency lines in the recommended budget and discussed the Willow Tree Center during the June 2 session.

Provenance: Presentation and discussion of the Willow Tree Center occurred in the session starting at SEG 490 with the center presentation and Q&A at SEG 510–SEG 624.