Lancaster County Children’s Alliance (LCCA), supported by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, is the county’s only child advocacy center that coordinates the investigation, the prosecution and most importantly, the treatment of child sexual abuse, opened a new location in Lancaster City in late January.
The larger location at 430 North Lime St., Lancaster, enables LCCA to better support victims of child abuse and meets the growing need for this service. The location provides a safe and child-focused environment, with new forensic interview, exam and observation rooms that enable team members to more effectively gather evidence to help prosecute abusers, all while helping the child take their first steps to healing.
“LCCA and LG Health work with a multidisciplinary team comprised of law enforcement, Lancaster County Children and Youth, Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, Victim/Witness Services and the YWCA Sexual Assault Prevention & Counseling Center,” explained Mary Halye, LCCA manager.
LCCA has aided nearly 7,000 Lancaster County children and their families since opening in 2006, and will now be able to provide enhanced care amenities at the new location, including private family counseling rooms, consultation rooms and off-street parking.
The new location was renovated following a $1.3 million campaign that was generously supported by the community, and led by campaign co-chairs Ralph Simpson, CEO of Warfel Construction, and Gregg Scott, Partner Emeritus of RLPS architects. Carol Rae Culliton, President of the Gunterberg Charitable Foundation, served as the Honorary Campaign Chair and generously provided a leadership gift that matched all gifts made to this project.
“I am so proud of our community for responding to this need to help victims of child abuse. We don’t like to think that abuse happens in our community, but it does, and this new center will serve as a safe and welcoming place to begin the healing process for children and their families,” said Culliton.
LG Health is a founding member and committed partner of a multidisciplinary team that supports LCCA.