CHRISTIANS IN ACTION INC

CHRISTIANS IN ACTION, INC. OPERATES AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, AGES BIRTH THROUGH SEVENTEEN. LOCATED IN HINDS COUNTY, A COUNTY WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST INCIDENCES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN THE STATE, THE SHELTER SERVES CHILDREN FROM ALL MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES WHEN SPACE IS AVAILABLE. THE SHELTER IS LICENSED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES AND CHILDREN ENTER THE SHELTER BY COURT ORDER. IT WAS THE FIRST SHELTER IN THE STATE TO OPEN IN 1977, AND IS ONE OF SIX SHELTERS STATEWIDE SERVING THIS AGE GROUP AND POPULATION. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST UTILIZED PROGRAMS IN THE STATE. ALTHOUGH THE STAY IS INTENDED TO BE LIMITED TO 45 DAYS WHILE THE STATE FINDS A FOSTER HOME OR RELATIVE PLACEMENT, THE STAY CAN BE EXTENDED TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL TIME TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATE DECISION FOR PERMANENCY.IN 2024, THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDED SERVICES FOR 100 CHILDREN. THE NUMBER OF UNITS OF SERVICE WERE 2,410 (ONE CHILD SPENDING ONE NIGHT=ONE UNIT OF SERVICE). TWENTY-FOUR CHILDREN HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED, 24 HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSED, AND 53 NEGLECTED. ONE OF THE 100 CHILDREN HAD EXPERIENCED MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF ABUSE. THIRTY-EIGHT WERE MALES AND 62 WERE FEMALES. THIRTY WERE EITHER PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDED FOOD, CLOTHING, TRANSPORTATION, AND SUPERVISION. LOCAL CHILDREN ARE TRANSPORTED TO SCHOOLS WHERE THEY ARE ENROLLED. RECREATIONAL OUTINGS HAVE INCLUDED DINING OUT, MOVIES, PARKS, SKATING, AND BOWLING. VOLUNTEERS ARE UTILIZED FOR ON-SITE, SUPERVISED RECREATION AND PARTIES. TWENTY-TWO CHILDREN RECEIVED PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS AND 78 RECEIVED A COMPLETE MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VISION ASSESSMENT.THE AGENCY HAD TWO INTERNS DURING 2024, AND A PSYCHOLOGIST VOLUNTEERED HIS TIME TO PROVIDE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS FOR CHILDREN WHOSE MEDICAID WAS NOT YET EFFECTIVE. THESE SERVICES CAN BE USED AS IN-KIND MATCH FOR GRANTS, AS OPPOSED TO PROVIDING A CASH MATCH.A FULL-TIME THERAPIST, SOCIAL WORKER, AND A VICTIM SERVICES COORDINATOR ARE EMPLOYED TO ENSURE ALL NEEDED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED WHILE THE CHILD IS IN SHELTER CARE. IF THE CHILD WAS REMOVED FROM THE HOME DUE TO NEGLECT OR PHYSICAL ABUSE AND CONFIDES IN THE THERAPIST THAT THERE WAS ALSO SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVED, THE THERAPIST MAKES A REPORT TO THE STATE HOTLINE, AND AN INVESTIGATION ENSUES. THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ARREST OF THE PERPETRATOR AND ENSURE THAT HE/SHE NO LONGER HAS ACCESS TO THE CHILD. THE AGENCY THERAPIST IS CERTIFIED AS A HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM SERVICES PROVIDER, DUE TO THE INCREASED NUMBER OF SEX TRAFFICKED VICTIMS SERVED BY THE AGENCY. THE CHILD CAN ALSO BE REFERRED TO THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER PROGRAM FOR A FORENSIC INTERVIEW. A HOUSE-MANAGER AND THIRTEEN FULL AND PART-TIME DIRECT CARE EMPLOYEES PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES AND SUPERVISION FOR YOUTH IN CARE. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF STAFF, FUND-RAISING, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR ALL PROGRAMS.THE AGENCY PROVIDES ON-SITE FAMILY VISITATION, AND UTILIZES TELEPHONE CALLS AND FACETIME, AS ALTERNATE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. CHILD PROTECTION SOCIAL WORKERS ARE ALLOWED TO VISIT AS NEEDED AND ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH STAFF REGARDING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN CARE.THE CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THIRTEEN CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS IN THE STATE AND SERVES HINDS COUNTY. THE AGENCY PROVIDES FORENSIC INTERVIEWS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUFFERED SEXUAL ABUSE, FELONY CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE, OR FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WITNESSED A VIOLENT CRIME. STAFF PROVIDE FAMILY ADVOCACY, ASSISTANCE WITH FILING VICTIM COMPENSATION FORMS, AND MAY BE CALLED TO TESTIFY IN COURT. PARTNERSHIPS FORMED WITH OTHER AGENCIES PROVIDE THERAPY AND FORENSIC MEDICALS FOR THE CHILD. THESE SERVICES HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE HOPE AND HEALING WHILE OUR STAFF AND PARTNERS GUIDE THEM THROUGH THE COURT AND PROSECUTION PROCESS.THE CENTRAL MS CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER (CAC) PROGRAM HAS THREE FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS, TWO FAMILY ADVOCATES, AND A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM FACILITATOR WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO FAMILIES. IN 2024, THE AGENCY COMPLETED 460 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS AND PROVIDED ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT TO CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. CHILDREN WHO NEED A FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION ARE REFERRED TO THE SAFE CENTER AT UMMC. CHILDREN REQUIRING ON-GOING THERAPY ARE REFERRED TO PARTNER AGENCIES ESTABLISHED THROUGH MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING. COPIES OF THE RECORDED INTERVIEW AND ALL INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PROSECUTION IS TURNED OVER TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES. MANY OF THE INTERVIEWS TURNED OVER FOR PROSECUTION ARE NOW BEFORE THE COURTS, AND THE FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS, TRAINED IN COURT TESTIMONY, ARE CALLED TO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD. STAFF ARE ON CALL FOR EMERGENCY INTERVIEWS, PARTICULARLY FOR TRAFFICKED YOUTH WHO NEED AN IMMEDIATE INTERVIEW SO LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN ACT.SIGNED PARTNERSHIPS ARE IN PLACE, WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HINDS COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE SAFE CENTER, YOUTH COURT, CANOPY SOLUTIONS, SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN SERVICES, AND HINDS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. THESE PARTNERSHIPS FORM A COALITION WHO HAVE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE ADVOCACY CENTER'S MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM. THESE TEAM MEMBERS OBSERVE INTERVIEWS LIVE FROM ANOTHER BUILDING AS THEY OCCUR, MEET MONTHLY WITH OUR STAFF FOR CASE REVIEW, AND HELP MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING DISPOSITION OF THE CASE. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN NEEDING THERAPY WHO ARE BEING REFERRED TO MOU PARTNERS, PLANS ARE TO HIRE A THERAPIST SPECIFIC TO THE CAC PROGRAM.THE AGENCY COMPLETED RENOVATIONS OF A BUILDING ACQUIRED THROUGH A LEASE/PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND HAS OCCUPIED THIS BUILDING SINCE APRIL 30, 2022. THE AGENCY HAS ALSO PURCHASED THE BUILDING ADJACENT TO THE LEASE/PURCHASE PROPERTY THAT WILL FURTHER EXPAND THE OPERATION OF THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY PROGRAM. RENOVATIONS CONTINUE ON THIS BUILDING DUE TO UNEXPECTED REPAIRS AND WITH PLANS TO OCCUPY THE BUILDING IN LATE 2025.CHRISTIANS IN ACTION, INC. CELEBRATED ITS FIFTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN 2024, HAVING OPERATED GROUP HOMES FROM 1974 THROUGH 1983, THE EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR CHILDREN FROM 1977 TO PRESENT, A YOUTH COURT RUNAWAY PROGRAM, AND THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER SINCE 2021 TO PRESENT. GOVERNOR TATE REEVES ISSUED A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE AGENCY FOR FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CHILDREN OF MISSISSIPPI.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK FUNDING IN 2025 TO PROVIDE OPERATING RESOURCES FOR THE EMERGENCY SHELTER, RUNAWAY PROGRAM AND THE ADVOCACY CENTER, AND IS AN APPROVED MEDICAID PROVIDER. MAJOR FUNDING SOURCES FOR 2024 WERE THE MISSISSIPPI ATTORNEY GENERAL'S HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROGRAM, MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES, MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM, MISSISSIPPI HOME CORPORATION, HINDS COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS OF MISSISSIPPI, AND PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS.