January 2, 2025 6:30 a.m.
After recently announcing a pause in its operations, Douglas C.A.R.E.S. is seeking community support to help the non-profit organization reopen.
A C.A.R.E.S. release said the county’s Child Advocacy Center has worked for over thirty years to help children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or sexual assault receive expert, compassionate medical care and advocacy close to home.
Douglas C.A.R.E.S. Executive Director Sarah Wickersham said due to an unexpected disruption in revenue primarily caused by delayed Medicaid reimbursements, as well as contractions in the larger grants they rely on and the resulting short-term funding gap, they made the difficult decision to pause operations for one month.
Wickersham said the pause is temporary but urgent, as they must bridge the gap in funding to reopen their doors and resume services for children who need them.
The release said that staff, referral partners, and the board are working tirelessly – in full cooperation with the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Human Services, and their Coordinated Care Organization – to resolve reimbursement issues and ensure a stable system moving forward.
Wickersham said that while that process moves forward, the organization urgently needs community and institutional support to fund operations so they can reopen and remain available to children in crisis. Wickersham said gifts right now will allow them to restart operations immediately:
*$1,200 covers one full forensic medical exam and advocacy session
*$5,000 to $25,000 contributions from local businesses, agencies, and donors will sustain medical and support staff as C.A.R.E.S. reopens
*Major partnership gifts from healthcare and government partners will help secure long-term stability.
The release said every contribution, large or small, helps bring Douglas C.A.R.E.S. back to full operation – ensuring children in Douglas County continue to receive the protection and care they deserve here at home.
Contributions can be made at: https://douglascares.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/17049