[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6314-6315]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF MADERA COUNTY, VICTIMS 
                             SERVICE CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Community 
Action Partnership of Madera County (CAPMC), Victims Service Center for 
the tremendous efforts they have made to help crime victims in Madera 
County.
  CAPMC operates a multi program victim service center for Madera 
County that addresses the needs of victims of all crime types 
including: domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and 
homicide. CAPMC's broad range of services greatly benefits the 
population that they serve. In one agency, individuals can apply for a 
restraining order and at the same time, request shelter. Since CAPMC 
has all of their programs under one center, they reduce the barriers 
that sometimes prevent victims from accessing services. In addition, 
CAPMC is the only agency in Madera County that provides 24 hour crisis 
intervention to crime victims.
  CAPMC operates the Martha Diaz Shelter, the only shelter in Madera 
County for battered women and their children to seek immediate safety 
when fleeing from abusive relationships. Women and children are 
provided supplies for their immediate needs including: food, medicine, 
toiletries, and transportation. CAPMC strives to protect families from 
experiencing further abuse by informing them of their rights as crime 
victims and advocating for their safety. Each year, they provide a safe 
haven for over one hundred women and children experiencing domestic 
violence.
  In 2013, CAPMC achieved national accreditation by the National 
Children's Alliance (NCA), and they are now recognized as the 
Accredited Child Abuse Center for Madera County. CAPMC received their 
accreditation based on their utilization of a functioning and effective 
multidisciplinary team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse 
investigation, prosecution, and treatment. CAPMC worked diligently with 
law enforcement, social

[[Page 6315]]

services, the district attorney's office, health services, and 
hospitals to ensure that they received the national accreditation.
  Each year, CAPMC serves an average of 112 child abuse victims. CAPMC 
strives to provide an immediate response that identifies the victim's 
needs and reduces the level of trauma. They operate an aftercare 
program for child abuse victims and their caretakers to seek therapy, 
so they have a safe place to talk about their most horrifying 
experiences. Every family is assigned an advocate to ensure that their 
rights as crime victims are enforced.
  As a founding member and co-chairman of the Victims' Rights Caucus, 
it is my honor to recognize the good work of CAPMC and to thank the 
board members of CAPMC for their support and activism. These 
individuals sincerely care about victims' rights and helping those in 
need.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
Community Action Partnership of Madera County, Victims Service Center 
for their efforts on behalf of crime victims. They have truly made a 
difference throughout the region and will continue to do so for many 
decades to come.

                          ____________________