The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center offers comprehensive, child-focused services that are highly effective, in a one-stop approach to child abuse investigations. The agency allows law enforcement, child protection professionals, prosecutors, and the mental health communities to work together to assist victims of child abuse and sexual assault in a cohesive manner.
HOW WE HELP KIDS FIND HEALING AND JUSTICE
- Engages community partners
- Implements neutral, developmentally friendly forensic interviews
- Coordinates case tracking
- Makes counseling referrals
- Educates victims and non-offending family members on victims’ rights, resources and options
- Offers a comfortable, private, child-friendly setting to conduct interviews
- Focuses on the health and future of child victims
- Strives to improve investigations while reducing harmful effects on children and families
*These steps reduce duplication of efforts between agencies involved in the investigation, expedites prosecution, increases conviction rates of offenders, and helps victims onto the path of recovery.
Forensic Services
To put children and their families at ease, The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center provides a neutral, home-like facility where interviews of and services for children are provided.
Interviews
The Bridge’s highly-trained, professional forensic interviewers specialize in taking testimony of children using non-leading techniques. This approach provides an accurate and consistent account from the child victim. Children should not have to relive the negative experience of witnessing a violent crime or experiencing criminal child abuse over and over – this forensic interview process reduces the negative impact of relating the child’s experience. Follow this link to find Frequently Asked Questions as you prepare for your appointment at The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center.
Examinations
There are occasions when a physical exam is deemed necessary. When needed, these examinations are coordinated by The Bridge staff and conducted at our center. This approach lessens trauma experienced by the child and family by eliminating a visit to the emergency room. Follow this link for more information about forensic examinations.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM COORDINATION
Members of this team meet regularly to discuss active child abuse cases under the coordination of The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center. Team members receive and share vital information to ensure every child receives maximum effort resulting in healing and justice.
Family Advocacy
The Bridge family advocates are committed to helping families navigate the complex systems they enter when a child makes an outcry of abuse. These professionals help families understand the investigation and prosecution process; learn about their rights; and access resources that will help the family during the crisis and in the healing process.
Mental Health Referrals
The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center provides a safe place for children and their families to begin the healing process after experiencing criminal child abuse or witnessing a violent crime. A referral is made to one of our contracted counselors who have extensive training in evidence-based therapy models. These clinical specialists will determine the best treatment options through standardized assessment procedures and collaboration.
Trauma of abuse affects the whole family, not just the victim or witness of a violent crime. Counseling needs will be determined and referrals made for the child and the non-offending family members.
Education
The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center provides interactive and informative child abuse prevention and awareness training opportunities for:
Professionals Working with Children in educational and childcare settings
Multidisciplinary team members (law enforcement, prosecutors, contracting crisis centers and counselors, Department of Family Protective Services)
Play It Safe – for children Pre-K through 12th Grade
Trainings are offered throughout the year at The Bridge’s Amarillo and satellite office locations.
All educational programs are provided free of charge, made possible through the generous support of donors across the Texas Panhandle.
The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center is a registered provider through the
Texas Education Agency (TEA), allowing us to offer Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits to Texas educators and continuing education credits to Texas school board members.
For Professionals Working with Children training:
- In-house trainings require a minimum of 15 attendees.
- Out-of-house trainings require a minimum of 25 attendees.
*All trainings are subject to staff availability.
Professional Education Schedule
2026 On-Site Bridge Education
February 16 Monday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
March 16 Monday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
May 18 Monday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
June 15 Monday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
July 13 Monday 6:30 – 8:30 pm
August 17 Monday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
October 12 Monday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Annual Child Abuse Training outside of Amarillo
Clarendon – Saturday, September 12 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hereford – Saturday, September 12 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pampa – Saturday, September 19 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Dumas – Saturday, September 19 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
*The Bridge is a registered provider through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide continuing education to school board members. The Bridge is also a registered provider through TEA to offer CPE hours to educators. Please contact us for more information at 806-372-2873.
