1Directing the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
2to conduct a study concerning child advocacy centers and
3multidisciplinary investigative teams in this Commonwealth.

4WHEREAS, The primary purpose of child advocacy centers is to
5provide child-focused, child-friendly programs dedicated to
6coordinating a formalized multidisciplinary response to
7suspected child abuse by providing services, including forensic
8interviews, medical evaluations, therapeutic interventions,
9victims support and advocacy, team case reviews and a system for
10case tracking; and

11WHEREAS, The report issued by the Task Force on Child
12Protection states:

13(1)  child advocacy centers exist in only 20 of this
14Commonwealth's 67 counties, forcing many of the organizations
15to serve disproportionately large regions, leaving some
16children untreated or underserved; and

17(2)  child advocacy centers lack a sufficient level of

1dedicated funding sources; and

2(3)  the limited amount of resources and access prevent
3professionals from adequately caring for child abuse victims
4and pose severe problems for investigations;

5and

6WHEREAS, The Task Force on Child Protection, after reviewing
7the laws and procedures relating to the reporting of child abuse
8and the protection of the health and safety of children,
9recommends further review of child advocacy centers and
10multidisciplinary investigative teams; therefore be it

11RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
12Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to conduct a
13study concerning child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary
14investigative teams in this Commonwealth; and be it further

15RESOLVED, That the report shall include an analysis of the
16structure and funding sources for child advocacy centers and
17identify the areas of this Commonwealth best suited for the
18establishment of additional child advocacy centers; and be it
19further

20RESOLVED, That the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
21Delinquency shall make use of its Criminal Justice Advisory
22Boards and training capabilities to assist in the establishment
23and enhancement of child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary
24investigative teams; and be it further

25RESOLVED, That the report shall be submitted to the chairman
26and minority chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the House of
27Representatives by September 30, 2013.