Our Mission is Kids
Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center is changing the way kids rise above the darkness of child abuse.
Our work empowers kids to reclaim their light and shine bright again. We do this through prevention, education, public policy, and a multidisciplinary investigative approach.
Our Mission
Achieving healing and justice for victims of child abuse by providing collaborative services, advocacy, leadership and education.
Our Vision
We will unfailingly serve to protect children and youth from abuse. To do so, we will boldly expand our reach and resources to do whatever is necessary to prevent them from harm, address their physical and emotional needs and achieve justice on their behalf. We will live up to and exceed the uncompromising values and expectations of our founders to serve and protect our community’s own children, while accepting a leadership role that is unencumbered by boundaries and seeks to ensure that the world is a safe and better place for all children.
Our Values
- We serve with compassion, empathy, and respect for all.
- We ensure that the voices of child abuse victims are heard.
- We are passionate in our pursuit of healing, justice, and abuse prevention.
- We uphold a culture of excellence and professionalism.
- We celebrate teamwork, nurture trust, and prioritize self-care.
- We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within all that we do.
- We model effective collaboration across partners.
- We strive for forward-thinking leadership.
- We embrace research-based best practices.
Triumph Over Trauma
We help children and their families heal from child abuse.
Imagine reliving the worst day of your life on loop. Now imagine you’re eight years old.
That’s the reality for many child abuse survivors. In the pursuit of prosecution, survivors repeatedly relive their trauma in interviews at hospitals, police departments, and the courtroom.Â
Each time they recount their story, healing gets harder and willingness to testify weakens.Â
At Mission Kids, our multidisciplinary approach reduces the number of times a kid has to recount their trauma and gives every child a chance to reclaim their childhood.
History
Our work began with the story of one child.
Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center began with the story of one brave child: Sasha Joseph Neulinger.
Sasha endured sexual abuse by several relatives at a very young age. As an adult, he revealed that the pain from the criminal justice process was even worse than the abuse itself.
In 2004, Sasha’s struggle for justice deeply moved our founders, Risa Vetri Ferman and Laurie O’Conner. At the time, Risa was the First Assistant District Attorney of Montgomery County, and Laurie was the Director of the Office of Children and Youth (OCY). Both were all too familiar with the challenges in child abuse investigations.
They knew there had to be a better way—a kid-focused approach that would support both children and their caregivers in their healing journey.
Our History
Incorporation
Multidisciplinary Team Created
Board of Directors
Doors Open
First Year
CAC Accreditation
Mission Kids Moves
Igniting Change
On-Site Trauma Therapy
Educating to Protect & Prevent
Satellite Office
Promoting Safe Behaviors
Making a Difference: By the Numbers
Meet the people behind the passion.
Mission Kids’ staff, led by visionary leaders and comprised of experienced local professionals, is trained to handle complex and emotional cases with care.
Learn about other services available through Mission Kids
Forensic Interviews
Collaborative Services
Family Advocacy
Medical Services
Mental Health Services
