UnityPoint Health St Lukes Child Protection Center Receives National Award

UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Child Protection Center has been recognized with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for its commitment to serving child abuse victims and their families and its partnership with law enforcement throughout Eastern Iowa.

The FBI established the Director’s Community Leadership Award in 1990 to recognize individuals and organizations that make a significant difference in their communities through education, crime prevention and violence prevention. Each year, one individual or organization from each of the FBI’s 55 field offices is selected to receive the award.

“St. Luke’s Child Protection Center provides a centralized approach to the investigation of suspected child abuse and abuse or neglect of dependent adults,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dannie Price. “By allowing the FBI to use their child-friendly, safe facility and consistently partnering with the FBI during the processing of suspected abuse allegations, the FBI investigates crimes against children in a more efficient and timely manner.”

St. Luke’s Child Protection Center brings together a range of services to support children and families following allegations of abuse, including forensic interviews, medical examinations, family advocacy services and mental health services. These services are provided at no cost to families.

The center also provides free child abuse prevention education throughout the community. Its SafeTouch program teaches kindergarten through fifth-grade students how to recognize unsafe situations, establish personal boundaries and seek help from trusted adults.

“We are honored to receive the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award and grateful for the FBI’s recognition of the work being done by our team to protect children in Eastern Iowa,” said Julie Kelly-Molander, manager, St. Luke’s Child Protection Center.

“The Child Protection Center’s ability to serve children and families depends on strong partnerships with law enforcement and other professionals who share our commitment to child safety. We are proud to work alongside the FBI and our community partners to ensure children who have experienced abuse receive a coordinated, compassionate response.”

The recognition highlights the importance of collaboration among organizations working to protect children and support victims and their families. St. Luke’s Child Protection Center continues to work closely with law enforcement and community partners to provide a coordinated, trauma-informed response to allegations of abuse while helping children and families access the services and support they need.