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  • Ponca City, OK
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  • Dearing House Services
  • Support The Cause
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  • FAQs
  • From the Director
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Board of Director and National Accreditation

Child Abuse Education


​Child abuse is defined by law as harm or threatening harm to a child's health and safety by a person responsible for the child. This can include:

Physical Abuse - Any non-accidental physical injury to a child under the age of 18 years old
Neglect - Failure or omission to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision or special care made necessary by the physical or mental condition of the child
Sexual Abuse or Exploitation - Includes, but not limited to rape, incest, lewd or indecent acts or proposals, allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution or pornography
​Emotional Abuse - Mental injury from incessant rejecting, terrorizing, isolating, exploiting, corrupting and denying emotional responsiveness
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Helpful Articles

  • How Good Parents Miss the Signs
  • 11 Facts About Child Abuse
  • Child Sexual Abuse Statistics
  • Grooming and Red Flag Behaviors
  • Reasons to Reveal Child Sexual Abuse​
  • Finding Courage to Talk About Abuse​
  • 10 Reasons Children Don't Disclose​
  • Warning Signs of Predators for Parents
  • ​Coping in Hard Times (Fact Sheet)
  • NetSmartz: What if they ask for a picture?
  • ​ ACE Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences)
​

Sources of help for parents

  • Oklahoma Department ​of Human Services
  • ​Smart Start of Central Oklahoma
  • Children's Advocacy Centers of Oklahoma
  • ​Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • ​Prevent Child Abuse America
  • Victim Information and Notification
  • ​Movement For Children
  • ​National Children's Alliance
  • ​National Child Traumatic Stress Network
  • ​Domestic Violence/Sunshine Behavioral Health
  • ​Privacy and Internet Safety
  • ​How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online

How to Report Child Abuse


​State law requires every person who has reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected, or is in danger of being abused or neglected, MUST report the suspicion of abuse promptly to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS).

The Statewide 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-522-3511. You may also call local law enforcement authorities for any suspicion of abuse perpetrated by someone who does not have responsibility for the child.
​
OKDHS policy and state law require strict maintenance of the confidentiality of reports of child abuse. Anonymous reports are also accepted. Dearing House brings together all the professionals and agencies needed to offer services: law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, mental health, medical, and advocacy.
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Dearing House has been an accredited member of the National Children's Alliance since 2003.  To assure that all children receive consistent, evidence-based interventions that help them heal, the Standards for Accreditation required:
  • Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
  • Diversity. Equity and Accessibility
  • Forensic Interviews that are legally sound and fact-finding
  • Victim Support and Advocacy
  • Medical Evaluation
  • Trauma-focused Mental Health
  • Case Tracking and Review
  • Child Safety and Protection
  • Organizational capacity and legal oversight


2022 Board of Directors of Dearing House, Inc.
Chairperson:  Tina Fisher, School Administration

Vice-Chair:    Barbara lhrig, Retired Educator
Secretary:    Morgan Cremers Swain, MSW
Treasurer:      Joe Theobald, Murphy Insurance Agency
Members: Spike Henderson,  Cherokee Strip Credit Union
Mindy Meyer, Alliance Health;  Lindsey Wilburn, RN. Special Education
 Darrell Frost, Northern Oklahoma College,
Jennifer Swords,  Osage Casinos; Errin Loughridge, self-employed

 

​Dearing House Advisory Council
The Advisory Council are volunteers with expertise and experience who provide support and guidance
​ to the board and staff to further the mission of Dearing House.

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DEARING HOUSE IS HERE TO HELP

Dearing House Phone
(580) 762-5266
Dearing House Home
311 South 13th Street
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601
Dearing House Email
DearingHouse@sbcglobal.net
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