A child forensic interview is a developmentally sensitive and legally sound method of gathering information from a child about allegations of abuse, neglect, or exposure to drugs or violence. At Willow Tree Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center, our child forensic interviewers are specially trained to ask children non-leading, non-suggestive questions that are appropriate for the child’s age and development. This helps to minimize trauma by ensuring that the child is able to tell someone what happened in their own words, to one adult. Each child forensic interview is recorded and all agencies involved in the child’s case observe the interview from another room at Willow Tree. When the interview is finished, the recording will be used by law enforcement and the district attorney’s office as a part of the child abuse investigation.

Willow Tree is proud to partner with Children’s Wisconsin to provide on-site medical evaluations for children who have been abused or neglected. Our nurse practitioners from Children’s Wisconsin specialize in the medical evaluation of child maltreatment. They look for signs indicating sexual or physical abuse, neglect, or drug endangerment. These findings can later be used as evidence if the case is referred for charges or goes to court. A medical evaluation includes medical history, physical exam, and, when appropriate, documentation of any signs of abuse, collection of physical evidence, diagnostic testing, testing for other medical conditions that could be mistaken for maltreatment, treatment and referrals.

During each appointment at Willow Tree, children and their caregivers are able to meet with an advocate and members of the investigating team. Advocates help the child and family understand what is happening, while ensuring the child and family receive the resources and referrals they need to begin to heal. In addition to providing immediate support, advocates also maintain contact with families throughout an investigation. This may include providing updates on the status of the child’s case and accompanying the family to court.

Jalyssa Vanboxel, MSW, APSW – Therapist In-Training

Degrees/Licenses:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work from UW – Green Bay
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from UW – Green Bay
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Advanced Practice Social Worker (APSW)

Experience: Experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues. Has provided case management to children in child protective services. Experience helping families transition through reunification while guiding healthy development and resources for the family.

Specialties: Provides therapy for individuals (ages 4 to adult) on a variety of issues related to behavioral concerns, mental health disorders, abuse & trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other stressful life events. Utilizes trauma-informed care, strengths-based therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to teach skills related to healthy communication, coping, and anger management.

Willow Tree is proud to provide Child Abuse Prevention Education in the local community. Willow Tree is part of the Green Bay Area Public School District’s core curriculum for grades Kindergarten—5th grade. The Child Abuse Prevention Specialist can also travel to other local surrounding schools or receive community partner referrals for individual prevention educational lessons. The programs and curriculum utilized aim to empower children with knowledge and skills that help protect them from various types of child abuse.

Skills taught to children include:

• Using an assertive voice along with a three-part safety rule when they feel unsafe
• Identifying red flag behavior or “tricks”
• Recognizing abuse
• How to be proactive by involving a trusted adult when they become aware of or witness any safety concerns

Other knowledge provided in curriculum includes:

• Teaching the differences between good and bad secrets
• Explaining safety rules with their private body parts
• Differentiating three types of touches (safe, unsafe, confusing)
• Identifying characteristics of safe adults they can get support from
• Providing visual examples of safety problems

The Child Abuse Prevention Specialist is also available for consultation about age appropriate preventative lessons or resources with families, schools, businesses, community professionals, and other organizations upon request. For more information, please contact Chelsey Steffens at (920) 436-4360 ext. 3003 or [email protected]treecac.org.

Any child who is a suspected victim of abuse or neglect can be served by Willow Tree Child Advocacy Center in collaboration with local law enforcement and/or Child Protective Services.

Willow Tree primarily serves children in Brown County, as well as surrounding communities and other parts of Wisconsin. Willow Tree has also been utilized in cases from as far away as Upper Michigan.

Willow Tree Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center sees children of all ages, many ethnic backgrounds, both girls and boys. The average age of a child  served at Willow Tree is 8 years old.

No, children do not live at Willow Tree. They come to the Child Advocacy Center for forensic interviews, a medical exam or evaluation and/or counseling, but no one actually resides in the facility.

Willow Tree has a collaborative relationship with Brown County Child Protective Services and many of our neighboring counties. While our staff are specially trained to provide the child forensic interview, medical evaluations, and counseling services, Child Protective Services works with the family to develop a safety plan and ensure that the family’s basic needs are being met.

Willow Tree is funded primarily through private donations, with supplemental support from the state and county. We partner with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for medical services which bills insurance, Medical Assistance, or the client. Therapy services bill insurance or Medical Assistance, with a sliding-scale fee available. The forensic interview, advocacy and prevention education services are provided to families free of charge.