Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2975

Tonight's special guest is Maria Vinci-Savettiere, Executive Director of Deidre's House in Morris County, New Jersey. Established in 1994, Deirdre's House is the only site in Morris County for child victims of abuse and/or neglect, and for children that have witnessed violence, where a child victim can be interviewed and digitally recorded by law enforcement, medically examined and treated by a pediatric abuse specialist, prepared for trial, and clinically counseled in English or Spanish—all under one roof, all free of charge. ince 1996, Deirdre's House has provided services in over 43,000 child visits. As Executive Director of Deirdre's House, Maria has combined her legal knowledge and business acumen to improve and add to the programs and services offered to child victims and their families. She has increased cooperation and collaboration among law enforcement, child welfare agencies and organizations investigating crimes against children and providing services to child victims. Maria also educates the community regarding child abuse prevention and reporting, and emerging issues in child welfare, through speaking engagements at schools, corporations, and community organizations. As if that weren't enough, Maria has been the chairperson of the Morris County Multidisciplinary Team since 2004. She is the child advocacy center representative to the New Jersey Governor's Child Advocacy and Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Blair Academy, a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Morristown YMCA, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Preschool Advantage, serving on their child placement and strategic planning committees.