Helping The Iron County Children’s Justice Center Is No Mean Feet

Generally, when a community organization is looking for help they might ask you to lend a hand. This Saturday, the Iron County Children's Justice Center is asking you to lend them your feet.

The annual 5K Run (or Walk) presented by the Iron Count Children's Justice Center Friends organization is set to start at 8AM at the Old Enoch Park. The day will begin with a free breakfast provided by Pork Belly's Eatery and Catering in Cedar City. The Fun Run will follow and there will be prize drawings through out the day. The grand prize is an Oculus.

Jennifer Davis is the chair of the Iron County Children's Justice Center Friends group joined us on the morning show today and explained what the group is trying to accomplish. “We are raising funds to build a new center,” Davis said on the program this morning. Land has already been donated for the new facility.

The money to be raised will come from entrance fees to participate in the Fun Run. Also, members of the community who do not wish to run in the Fun Run can still show up and contribute by purchasing raffle tickets for the prize drawing.

As far as the new center goes, Davis told us, “we've got things out for bid, right now and I think we're really close.” She hopes that they will break ground for the new facility in the “next couple of months.”

The Iron County Children's Justice Center is a facility that provides services and support to child abuse victims and their families. It is part of a larger network of Children's Justice Centers throughout the United States.

The ICCJC serves as a child-friendly, neutral environment where child victims of abuse can receive comprehensive services. These services are aimed at minimizing trauma and promoting healing, while also facilitating the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases. The center collaborates with various agencies, including law enforcement, child protective services, medical professionals, mental health providers, and legal advocates, to ensure a coordinated response to child abuse cases.

The ICCIC has specially trained professionals that conduct developmentally appropriate interviews with child victims, ensuring their safety and comfort while gathering information to aid in investigations.

The center also arranges for medical exams by qualified healthcare professionals to assess and document any physical injuries or evidence related to abuse.

ICCJC offers mental health evaluations and therapy services to help child victims cope with the emotional and psychological effects of abuse. They provide support and advocacy services to child victims and their families, helping them navigate the legal system and access necessary resources.

And the ICCJC facilitates collaboration among professionals involved in child abuse cases, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, social workers, and medical and mental health providers. This teamwork ensures a comprehensive and streamlined approach to investigations and interventions. It also provides opportunity for abused children to not have to relive the trauma by testifying in a courtroom.

On the need for a new facility, Davis told us, “we are out of space right now. (The current) medical exam room in not sufficient. The big thing will be the soundproofing that we are going to be able to do with the new center, so that when children are being interviewed or when they are receiving counseling, it is completely private.”

Anyone who would like to sign up to be in the 5K Fun Run can register now at this website. You can listen to our entire exchange with Jennifer Davis below.