Where healing takes root and hope can grow.
We provide free forensic exams, therapy, and advocacy for children affected by abuse — and steady support for the families who love them. No child is ever turned away for inability to pay.
A beacon of hope, healing, and growth for children affected by abuse.
We provide timely, compassionate, and comprehensive care for children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse — regardless of their family's ability to pay. Like a garden nurtured with care, we believe that with the right support, even the smallest seeds of hope can grow into something extraordinary.
Read our full storyCare that meets a child exactly where they are.
Everything happens under one roof, in one child-friendly place, so a child tells their story once — to people trained to listen.
Safe, child-focused interviews
Children share their story in a calm, supportive environment with a specially trained professional — reducing stress and avoiding repeated questioning.
Family advocacy & support
We walk alongside caregivers throughout the process, offering guidance, resources, and steady support during a difficult time.
Medical & mental health connections
We connect families with trusted providers for medical care and trauma-informed counseling to support long-term healing.
Coordinated team approach
Our multidisciplinary team works together behind the scenes — so families don't have to navigate systems alone and children receive unified, thoughtful care.
Prevention education
Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe and Stewards of Children equip kids and adults to recognize and prevent abuse before it starts.
Supervised visitation
A friendly, neutral place for safe, positive interactions and exchanges between parents and their children.
The key to systemic change is through children. The more positive adult interaction a child has, the greater the possibility that the trauma they've endured can be overcome. Rhiannon Moore Director, The Garden Family Advocacy Center
Your support helps a child heal.
Every gift, hour, and voice helps us keep care free for the families who need it most. There's a place for you in this work.
Rooted in Ross County for nearly three decades.
Founded in 1996 as The Child Protection Center, our organization has spent nearly thirty years caring for children in Ross County who have experienced abuse. As our reach grew into surrounding communities, we became The Garden Family Advocacy Center — a name that reflects who we serve and what we believe.
A garden is a place where, with patient care and the right conditions, even the smallest seed can grow into something extraordinary. That's our promise to every child and family who walks through our doors: a safe place to heal, supported by people who never give up on growth.
Guided by an unwavering commitment to education, prevention, and advocacy, we cultivate an environment where healing takes root and restoration flourishes.
Together, we are building a future where children and families can thrive.
The multidisciplinary model, rooted in national standards.
Built on the standards of the National Children's Alliance, our model brings the right people together so a child doesn't have to repeat their story again and again.
Referral
Cases come to us from law enforcement, child protective services, and medical providers.
A safe space
The child is welcomed into a calm, child-friendly setting designed to reduce fear and trauma.
Coordinated care
Our team works as one — exams, interviews, and support handled with care and consistency.
Ongoing healing
Therapy, advocacy, and family support continue long after the first visit.
The people behind the care.
A dedicated, multidisciplinary team — from forensic interviewers to physicians — working together so every child receives unified, thoughtful care.
It takes a whole community to protect a child.
We work hand in hand with partners across Ross County and beyond.
Funded in part by The United Way, the National Children's Alliance, the Victims of Crime Act, the Ohio Attorney General's Office, the Ohio Network of Child Advocacy Centers, the Ohio Children's Trust Fund, the Appalachian Children's Coalition, and the generosity of private donors.
Led by people devoted to this community.
Under Director Rhiannon Moore, our staff and Board of Trustees are committed to advocating for child victims of abuse — and we're currently seeking passionate new board members to help guide that mission.
Comprehensive care, all in one safe place.
From the first exam to long-term healing, every service is designed to reduce trauma and help children and families grow strong again.
Forensic exams & child therapy
Specially trained providers offer free, trauma-informed medical exams in a setting built around a child's comfort. Our mental health services help children process what happened and find their footing again.
- Free forensic medical evaluations
- Evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy
- Care for physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect & trafficking
- No child turned away for inability to pay
Advocacy & supervised visitation
Non-offending family members are never left to navigate the system alone. We also provide a warm, neutral space for safe parent–child connection.
- A dedicated advocate through every step
- Court-ordered supervised visitation
- Supervised exchanges in a neutral setting
- Connection to community resources & support
Stopping abuse before it starts.
Prevention is at the heart of our work. We bring trusted, evidence-based programs to local schools, churches, and organizations.
Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe
A program of Childhelp ↗
Stewards of Children
Resources provided by Darkness to Light ↗
Erin's Law compliant
Our school programming helps districts meet Erin's Law, the Ohio requirement that schools provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education. We make compliance simple — and meaningful.
For parents, educators & caregivers.
National organizations we trust, with free tools you can use today — from parent one-pagers to online-safety guides.
National Children's Alliance
The national accrediting body for child advocacy centers — and the standard we're proud to meet.
Missing & Exploited Children
Excellent resources on cyberbullying, human trafficking, and one-pagers parents can use.
Childhelp
Home of the Speak Up Be Safe curriculum and the 24/7 National Child Abuse Hotline.
Darkness to Light
The organization behind Stewards of Children and adult prevention training.
We're here, and we're ready to help.
Whether you need to make a referral, support our work, or simply learn more — reach out. For emergencies, always call 911 first.
Call 911 immediately. To report suspected child abuse in Ohio, call 855-O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453). The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-422-4453.
Send us a message
Questions, volunteering, donations, or board interest — we'd love to hear from you.
This opens your email app with the message ready to send. Prefer to call? Reach us at (740) 779-7431.
You can make a direct impact by sponsoring a clinic.
The Garden Family Advocacy Center is dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by abuse, violence, and trauma. Through coordinated services, advocacy, and compassionate care, we help families begin their journey toward healing.
Funds a full week of care — reaching up to 10 children and their families on their path toward healing.
What does sponsoring a clinic do?
Your sponsorship helps fund the essential services that meet a child and family in their hardest moment:
- Forensic interviews for children who have experienced trauma from physical and/or sexual abuse
- Medical and mental health support
- Victim advocacy services
- Family support and resource coordination
We invite you to join us on this journey — leaving a legacy through service and impacting the lives of children.
We greatly appreciate your generosity and kindness. Every gift, of any size, helps keep care free for the families who need it most.
Choose what works for you.
Give online
Make a secure one-time or recurring gift through PayPal — no PayPal account required, all major cards accepted.
Give via PayPalGive by check
Prefer to mail a gift? Make your check payable to The Garden Family Advocacy Center and send it to:
The Garden Family Advocacy Center
138 Marietta Rd, Suite E
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Checks are mailed directly to the agency. Thank you for your support.
Giving isn't the only way to make a difference.
Volunteer your time, bring a prevention program to your school or group, or help guide our mission as a board member.
Explore other ways to get involved