[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    CELEBRATING THE GROUNDBREAKING OF CARE HOUSE'S NEW FACILITY AND 
  RECOGNIZING OVER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE YOUTH OF OAKLAND COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2010

  Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize CARE House of 
Oakland County, Michigan, on the occasion of the groundbreaking for its 
new facility. As a Member of Congress it is both my honor and privilege 
to recognize and congratulate CARE House for over 30 years of service 
to Oakland County's youth as work begins on its new facility, which 
will assist countless more abused and neglected youth from across the 
County.
  Established in 1977, CARE House began its work as the Child Abuse and 
Neglect Council for Oakland County, a partnership between Oakland 
County's law enforcement organizations, the Oakland County Prosecutor's 
Office, Child Protective Services and the Junior League of Birmingham. 
The Council was the first organization in Oakland County to take a 
proactive approach to confronting the issues of child abuse and 
neglect. After more than a decade of service to the youth of Oakland 
County, CARE House expanded its services to become a Child Advocacy 
Center focused on reducing child abuse through advocacy, community 
outreach, education and prevention programs.
  CARE House served over 5000 youth last year at its current facilities 
and is expected to greatly expand its capacity, serving thousands more 
once the new facility is built. This expansion allows for CARE House to 
strengthen its intervention, therapeutic, advocacy and prevention 
services, in particular its forensic interviewing, crisis counseling, 
family support group and court-appointed advocacy programs. Increasing 
its capacity and strengthening of its programs enhances CARE House's 
ability to fully employ its vision of ensuring all children are safe 
and free from abuse and neglect.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating 
the groundbreaking of CARE House's new facility and to recognize its 
members for their important work over the past 30 years to protect 
Oakland County youth from abuse and neglect. The services CARE House 
provides ensure thousands of Oakland County youth receive the treatment 
and intervention they need to prevent and reduce trauma they have 
experienced from abuse and neglect.