What We Do
Sunflower House, a child abuse prevention center, is a non-profit, United Way agency serving Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas. Founded in 1977, our mission is to protect children in our community from physical and sexual abuse through education, advocacy, forensic and medical services. Sunflower House was recognized by Kansas Attorney General Carla Stovall as the 2002 Outstanding Crime Victim Service Organization in Kansas.
Our Two Primary Functions
Child Assessment Program
Forensic Interviews: Sunflower House offers a child-sensitive, safe environment where children may share details of their abuse with a specially trained forensic interviewer. Law enforcement and child protective service agencies refer children, ages 3 through 17, to Sunflower House for forensic interviews after a report of child sexual abuse or physical abuse is made or after a child allegedly witnesses a violent crime. Each year, approximately 400 children receive forensic interviews at Sunflower House. Each child’s forensic interview is electronically recorded while Sunflower House staff, the detective, and the child protective service social worker observe the interview by closed-circuit television. We partner with law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, medical staff and mental health professionals to reduce children's trauma and help begin the recovery process.
Medical Services: Sunflower House provides comprehensive forensic medical evaluations for children, ages birth to 17, residing in either Wyandotte or Johnson Counties in Kansas. Evaluations are provided free of charge to children suspected of being a victim of abuse. The purpose of the forensic medical evaluation is to provide a complete assessment of the physical, emotional and developmental health of the child.
Education Program
Sunflower House partners with more than 185 Johnson and Wyandotte County schools and preschools to provide personal safety and prevention programs. More than 27,000 children, parents, and professionals are educated about child abuse each year. Through our flagship program P.S. It's My Body!, including the P.S. Happy Bear play, our educators teach children to recognize, resist and report child abuse to a trusted adult. We also provided Mandated Reporter Training to more than 1,800 professionals legally mandated to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. Mandated Reporter Training instructs education professionals to recognize the signs of maltreatment and to understand the reporting processes and laws. Other education programs available through Sunflower House include: Abusive Head Trauma prevention, Keeping Kids Safe Online, and Stewards of Children.
Outreach Program
Sunflower House also works to increase the public's awareness of child abuse and neglect in our community through our quarterly newsletter, April Child Abuse Prevention Month activities, and public relations.
