Gulf Coast Kid’s House serves as a safe place for abused children to talk about abuse issues in a non-threatening environment.  The key concept behind Gulf Coast Kid’s House is that an abused child only has one place to go to tell his or her experience of abuse.  Prior to Gulf Coast Kid’s House when a child was abused, he or she had to repeat the abuse experience at numerous agencies across Escambia County. 

Representatives within the above State of Florida contracted agencies worked together to develop a comprehensive protocol for Gulf Coast Kid’s House that is collaborative and child-centered.  The primary focus is ensuring that children who are victims of abuse will not be traumatized by the system that is intended to help and protect them.  The Gulf Coast Kid’s House houses/hosts a Multidisciplinary team, which consists of the following contracted agencies: 

Gulf Coast Kid’s House Prevention Task Force – Provides community child abuse prevention education.

Law Enforcement:

Escambia County Sheriff's Office – Investigates and collects evidence. Interviews suspect and witnesses. Prepares arrest warrants, attends and testifies in court.

Pensacola Police Department – Investigates and collects evidence. Interviews suspect and witnesses. Prepares arrest warrants, attends and testifies in court.

Department of Children and Families – Receives child abuse reports and investigate the allegations of abuse.

Families Count, Department of Health Child Protection Team – Conducts child forensic interviews, specialized interviews with non-offending familiy members, medical exams, and phychosocial assessments for victims and families.

Office of the State Attorney – Reviews case information. Files formal charges. Interviews victims and non-offending caretakers in preparation for court. Attends/conducts depositions. Discusses case with defense attorney and judge. Prepares and prosecutes case to resolution.

Lutheran Services Florida – Mental health treatment for child victims, siblings, and non-offending caretakers of physically and sexually abused children. Provides crisis intervention including suicide risk assessment and referrals.

Guardian ad Litem – Court appointed Child Advocates.

Children's Home Society – Provides in-home services for at risk families.

Children's Service Center – Supports working families through childcare resource and referral as well as childcare financial assistance, services for abused and neglected children, parenting education, and childcare training and resources are also available. Our mission is to ensure that quality early education and childcare, including familiy services, are accessible to the communities that we serve.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Boys & Girls Club of America