Story by: Jason Wert

The Greene County Family Justice Center provided the Greene County Commission with a report of services to mark their one year anniversary.

The report, containing data from the full year but detailed data from January through September 2019, showed that 1,960 adults and children visited the FJC for some purpose during the first year.

Jamie Willis of the FJC told Commissioners that of the 1,960 total, 212 of those who needed their services were children.

April 2019 was the highest month for visits from clients with 206 victims using the center; August 2019 saw most number of new clients in the month for the FJC.

The highest months for children were March and April 2019, with 32 and 30 children respectively.

Out of the 1,960 that visited the center, 241 chose to work with the Springfield Police Department’s on-site officer and 110 worked with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

The partner organization that provided the most services to victims entering the center was Legal Services of Southwest Missouri, providing services to 32% of those who visited the FJC.

A survey of those who attended the FJC in 2019 gave glowing reviews of the services. Every individual who answered the survey said they were welcomed and treated with respect; felt safe at the center; felt their wait time was reasonable and that staff communicated about any delays; and the facility was comfortable, clean, and inviting.

The survey also said that 99% of those who responded would return to the Center for services and that the FJC was “helpful to my healing process.”

The Center is continuing work on the Tefft Building to allow them to move by the end of 2019. The move to the Tefft Building will allow for expansion of services and more space for staff and partner organizations.

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