On Wednesday, Gulf Coast Kid’s House gets more room to pursue its goal of helping child victims of abuse.

An expansion at the facility on North 12th Avenue will improve access to services and privacy for the thousands of children and their families who use the one-stop facility to handle child abuse cases.

Law enforcement, the state attorney’s office, medical personnel, counselors and advocates are all at the house. That means a child only has to tell his or her story once, where it is recorded, and the family can get help navigating the system they are about to enter. Kid’s House offers counseling services, advocacy through the court system, even immediate clothing and supplies if a family needs it.

A groundbreaking celebration for the expansion is set for 10 a.m. July 2.

The expansion will improve the exam room, adding more space and improving the lighting. It also will expand Jane’s Closet, a space the House keeps with clothing and supplies for children who need them.

A $104,500 grant from IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a women’s philanthropic group, will help aid the expansion.

Data from Kid’s House indicates that Escambia County has the 10th highest incidence of child abuse reported in the state of Florida. In 2013, the house provided services to more than 2,100 children in the area and conducted 493 medical evaluations.

To learn more about the house, visit http://www.gulfcoastkidshouse.org/

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