Mt. Olive Children’s Advocacy Center

Mt. Olive Children’s Advocacy began providing services for families in Wayne and Duplin Counties in 2022. The center is a partnership between the Department of Pediatrics at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC.

Our Purpose

Mt. Olive Children’s Advocacy Center serves children ages birth through 18 who are alleged victims of abuse and/or neglect and their non-offending caregivers. Services are provided by a team of highly trained professionals at a neutral location where child abuse professionals from involved agencies collaborate to ensure the best outcomes for children and families:

Medical Exams

The medical evaluation is a non-invasive check-up to determine if any physical signs of trauma exist. The exam may also require the completion of laboratory work to ensure the child is healthy. Exams are external and completed by a licensed medical provider who will also obtain information from the caregivers about the child’s medical history.

Child Advocacy

An advocate provides children support and education during their visit and accompanies them in the exam. This ensures the child understands the process to help lessen their anxiety. Since we are a child-centered facility, older children are empowered to make the decision to have a caregiver in the medical exam.

Forensic Interviews

A social worker will provide a one-on-one interview with the child to obtain accurate information. The interviewer is trained to understand their cognitive development and emotional needs. The interviewer spends time building rapport with the child discussing neutral topics such as friends and family members, school, and interests. The interview transitions to discuss the concerns of abuse. The child-friendly interview is conducted in a non-suggestive and non-leading manner and is monitored in another room by professionals including Law Enforcement and DSS. Caregivers are not permitted to observe the interview to maintain the integrity of the investigation. Learn more on the Forensic Interviews page.

Family Advocacy

The Family Advocate provides support and guidance for the caregiver and family before, during and after the child’s evaluation.  These include referrals for children to receive specialized therapy when indicated.  The Family Advocate offers ongoing assistance to ensure family members are able to access recommended and available interventions. Support is provided to address any arising needs of the family through problem solving, providing emotional support and guidance, and generating referrals for community resources. Learn more on the Family Advocacy page.  

All Mt. Olive CAC services are provided with the child remaining the focus during the visit. Our coordinated and comprehensive evaluation helps alleviate stress on the child and family while promoting healing and wellness for all.