KARE, Inc announced that The Evergreen Foundation in Waynesville has committed to providing funding for its Victim Advocacy Program.  The Victim Advocacy Program provides direct and support services to child victims of abuse, sexual abuse and neglect and their non-offending caregivers.

The Victim Advocate and KARE provide critical crisis intervention services to the victim and the non-offending parents by providing a home-like, non-threatening environment for the child to enter when faced with the frightening experience of disclosure to the trained forensic interviewer.

Since 1991, KARE, Inc —Kids Advocacy Resource Effort — has been assisting and supporting child victims in the Haywood County area.  As one of the state’s counties with the highest incidence of child abuse and child sexual abuse, KARE was organized to strive toward ending these abuses through advocacy, education and support.

The Evergreen Foundation’s funding supports KARE and its Victim Advocate and the Haywood County Multi-Disciplinary Team that collaborates during investigations.  The Multi-Disciplinary Team consists of representatives from KARE, Law Enforcement, Haywood County Department of Social Services, the District Attorney's Office, Mental and Medical Health Providers, The Haywood County Health Department and the Department of Juvenile Justice.  The Evergreen Foundation’s funding allows this much-needed program to continuing operating in Haywood County.

For information on child abuse, child abuse prevention training opportunities or for support during a child abuse investigation, call KARE at 456-8995.