What To Expect
Heartford House receives referrals for forensic interviews from the Department of Child Services and Law Enforcement. If you believe your child would benefit from a forensic interview, please contact local law enforcement or make a report the the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (800-800-5556).
After a report has been made to the Department of Child Services (DCS) or Law Enforcement (LE), a representative from that discipline will contact the non-offending caregiver of the child in need of a forensic interview. The forensic interview will be scheduled through DCS or LE. From there, that team member will connect with other agencies to continue the investigation (from our multi-disciplinary team approach) and to attend the interview.
Upon your arrival to Heartford House, the caregiver and child will be greeted by a staff member and the caregiver will be asked to fill out some paperwork regarding the child. Before the interview begins, the child and caregiver will be together in one of our child-friendly waiting rooms and can enjoy some TV, toys, books, or snacks. A specially trained forensic interviewer will then introduce themselves to the caregiver and child before taking the child to a separate room for the forensic interview. The caregiver will not be present for the forensic interview, but while the forensic interview is taking place, the caregiver will likely meet with an advocate from Heartford House or receive their contact information to talk about resources and services that may be needed. After the interview, the MDT and advocate will work together to continue to provide proper services and actions to help guide the family through the next steps of the investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does it cost anything to come to Heartford House?
Does it cost anything to come to Heartford House?
- No, it does not cost anything to come to Heartford House. We provide forensic interviews and advocacy services free of charge.
- Our forensic interviewers and advocates are not licensed counselors or therapists. Our forensic interviewers are specially trained to interview children in the ChildFirst protocol and do engage in continuing education regularly. Our advocates are trained in local resources and are able to make direct referrals to licensed counselors. We provide a listening ear and a helping hand when needed.
- Heartford House has limited financial resources to pass along to families. If your child is in need of a medical exam and transportation is a barrier, we are able to provide gas cards. We also have a Kindness Closet at our facility that has school supplies, hygiene products, blankets, and toys for kids. Every family that comes to Heartford House has the opportunity to “shop” our Kindness Closet and get new or gently used items.
- Due to the confidential nature of our interviews, anyone outside of the Multi-Disciplinary Team is unable to watch the interview. We strive to provide a safe, secure, private place for children and adolescents to come and tell their story. Part of that privacy is ensuring that only parties necessary to the investigation observe the interview. If you have concerns, please call our office (765-420-9764) and ask to speak to an advocate.
- You can tell your child that they are coming to a safe place to talk about what has happened to them. Encourage your child to be honest and share freely. Please do not tell them what to say or make any promises about what will happen afterwards.
