Lake County State's Attorney's Office and the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center Announce “New and Innovative” partnership with Rosalind Franklin University to begin implementation of a Medical Clinic

(Lake County, IL) Last week, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC) announced the receipt of $1 million in state funding – made possible by State Senator Julie Morrison. The funding will be used toward implementing and integrating a medical forensic clinic, in partnership with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS).

In addition, last Friday, the LCCAC new medical clinic was approved under the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA) as a Pediatric Health Care Facility.

The new medical unit within the LCCAC will facilitate the immediate medical care of children who are brought to the LCCAC when there has been an allegation of abuse. The creation of the clinic has been a long-term goal of the office with the medical wing being built in 2020.

There are 41 children advocacy centers throughout Illinois. In Lake County, the LCCAC houses a multidisciplinary team (MDT) made up of prosecutors, law enforcement officers, DCFS staff, mental health therapists, victim advocates, forensic interviewers, and medical personnel who collaborate to interview and treat the child victim. If a criminal case is filed by prosecutors, LCCAC Advocate staff continue their work by assisting the child (and their family) through the court process.

The new clinic will introduce RFMUS medical students and personnel into the MDT process and allow children to be medically examined at the LCCAC by experienced healthcare professionals. As a result, the investigation and treatment process will no longer be delayed by families or friends taking children to outside hospitals.

“This is a great day for the children of Lake County. This new and innovative partnership will better protect children and serve families. For the last two years, we have been working closely with Rosalind Franklin University to build this critical bridge between our fantastic MDT model and a critical need: onsite medical examination of children.,” said State’s Attorney Rinehart. “Now, our prosecutors and police will secure evidence faster, and the child will be saved the trauma of traveling to far off hospitals or waiting for the correct personnel at nearby hospitals. They will be examined and treated right at the LCCAC.”

“This initiative is not just about education and training – it’s about building a safer, more supportive community. It’s about standing up for survivors and giving them the care and respect they deserve. It’s about ensuring that our healthcare professionals are well-prepared to handle the sensitive and complex nature of sexual assault cases.” State Senator Julie Morrison said.

Rosalind Franklin University Vice President of Clinical Care Services Jeff Espina stated, “Our work in the RFU Children’s Advocacy Center Medical Clinic and our interprofessional approach with the LCCAC team, will provide a better alternative to survivors of sexual abuse and trauma who require the necessary and important medical examination that unfortunately, so many of them don’t receive.”

Executive Director of the LCCAC Carrie Flanigan added, “Together with Rosalind Franklin University we shared our vision, goals, and hopes with Senator Julie Morrison and thanks to her knowledge of the importance of children’s advocacy centers and her dedication to the cause, children in Lake County will now have access to care in a time of great trauma.”

In 2023, the LCCAC conducted approximately 790 forensic interviews – 590 were sexual assaults and only 120 received sexual assault exams. Medical evaluations serve as a key component in the success of criminal cases. The number one goal is to ensure that all children receive consistent evidence based forensic interviews and receive services that help children heal from the abuse they have suffered.