If your family is experiencing child abuse and/or domestic violence and you need somewhere to turn, the Family Advocacy Center can help you.

Who We Are:
The Family Advocacy Center (FAC) of Baystate Children's Hospital (BCH) is a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center (CAC) serving the children, families and communities of Western Massachusetts affected by child abuse and/or domestic violence.  The FAC is part of the division of General Pediatrics in the department of Pediatrics of BCH.  As child abuse and domestic violence are community problems the FAC coordinates child abuse and domestic violence services with our community partners.  

Our Staff:

Medical Staff

Stephen C. Boos, MD, Medical Director

Kathleen Cassidy, NP, Nurse Practitioner

Sandy Ortega, M.Ed., LMHC, LADC-1, Medical Social Worker

Caroline Crespo, Medical Assistant

Clinical Staff

Noreen McGirr, LICSW, Clinical Supervisor

Jacqueline Humphreys, LICSW, Social Worker

Leah Berkowitz-Gosselin, LCSW, Social Worker

Sarah Marcotte, LCSW, Social Worker

Damaris Gonzalez, LCSW, Family Advocate

Jessica Wozniak, Psy.D., STEP Project Coordinator 

Administrative Staff

Rebekah Paredes, Program Manager

Allyson Rivera, Office Supervisor

Hazzel Di’Dio, Practice Associate

Jennifer McCaffrey, STEP Data Coordinator

Our Services:

Since every family situation is unique, the Family Advocacy Center offers a variety of support including:

•  counseling
•  medical services
•  support programs
•  advocacy programs
•  victim services

Depending on your situation, you may be helped by one or more of the services provided. Insurance is accepted and many therapy programs are free of charge.

Our Programs

Multidisciplinary Interview Team

Our interview team enables children to be interviewed on-site in a child friendly and safe environment when child abuse is suspected or has been disclosed. This coordinated interview reduces trauma for the child by decreasing the number of interviews.

The team consists of trained professionals from the Hampden County District Attorney's Office; the Department of Children & Families; local, regional, and state law enforcement; and the Family Advocacy Center.

Child Abuse Medical Evaluation Clinic

Children receive a comprehensive medical evaluation by a pediatrician and social work team with special training in evaluating children for sexual and physical abuse. Intervention and follow-up services are provided by the team.

Children and families affected by trauma, including physical and/or sexual abuse, dating violence, and witnessing domestic violence, receive individual, family, and group therapy in a child friendly environment. 

Our clinicians offer several age specific groups for victims of physical and sexual assault. Non-offending parent groups are also offered as an additional source of support.

Family Advocacy
The Family Advocate is an additional support to the families involved in the Multidisciplinary Interview Team process. The Family Advocate offers educational and supportive material and resources to the families, answers questions, and provides guidance throughout the process. The Family Advocate follows families up to six months after the interview in order to offer continued service and support.

Education and Outreach
The FAC staff provides education and outreach regarding child abuse and child witness to violence issues to area schools, businesses, community organizations, and medical facilities.

The Family Advocacy Center is located at Baystate Medical Center Children's Hospital, Medical Office Building, Suite 205, Springfield, MA. 

• To make an appointment for Therapy Services at the Family Advocacy Center, please call our Central Intake Office at 413-794-5555.  
• For other services or information about the FAC, please call 413-794-9816.

The Family Advocacy Center is proud to be an accredited member of the National Children's Alliance and a member of the Massachusetts Children's Alliance

“This project is supported by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance through a Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.”