Beacon Health Center

Geographic areas served: 10 Counties Served in Southeast Missouri: - Cape Girardeau - Perry - Scott - Bollinger - Stoddard - Madison - Mississippi - New Madrid - Pemiscot - Dunklin

Programs: Beacon Health Center-your health is our mission. We currently offer Primary Care, Mental Health, and Sexual assualt and Victim's Advocacy services (SEMO NASV). We also proudly serve those who serve our country. We are happy to be a member of the TriCare/TriWest network and all programs are available for military members and their familiies. Primary Care: We focus on providing personalized health care which encompasses the whole family. Whether mending a wound or providing well exams, you can be assured that our focus is on you as a person. Our Services include, but are not limited to: Wellness, dignostic or screening services •Yearly check-ups •Well women exams •Well child exams •Sports and work physicals •Blood/urine tests •Immunizations •Contraceptive options and counseling •Smoking cessation •Primary care •Removal of stitches, skin tags, moles Urgent care, including •Ear aches •Cold/Cough/Flu •Sore throats •Urinary tract infections •Sprains and strains Mental Health/Counseling: We focus on personal mental health care which encompasses the whole family. Whether it is grief, trauma, family counseling or work-related stress you can be assured that our focus is on you as a person. Our services include, but are not limited to: •Counseling for families, individuals and couples, parent-child problems, assertiveness/independence, work-related stress, anger management, grief/bereavement, trauma, depression, anxiety, self esteem. SEMO NASV/CAC: All of the programs and services provided by the SEMO NASV program emphasize the multi-disciplinary approach to dealing with sexual abuses cases and clients. The Child Advocacy Model emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to child abuse cases, so that the investigation and intervention of child abuse is "child-focused." The goal of this model is to ensure that children are not revictimized by the very system designed to protect them. Forensic Interviews: Child sexual abuse victims are interviewed at the SEMO-NASV facility by personnel trained in interview techniques specific to children and physical / sexual abuse. These interviews are videotaped and monitored (via closed circuit television), so that during a child's interview all appropriate parties (police, prosecutors, child welfare) are able to hear the same answers to questions and pose questions through the interviewer. This eliminates the need for multiple interviews, which can retraumatize a young victim. SAFE / SANE Exams: Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFE) are provided on site by certified medical examiners to children who have been sexually abused. We have already provided 200 SAFE exams in the first five months of this year (which had previously been the number seen in an entire year). In addition, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) care is provided in our facility to adults who have been sexually assaulted / raped. Both of our SAFE/SANE care nurses are nationally certified to provide these specific types of exams. Green Bear Program: One of five distinct prevention programs provided by the SEMO-NASV, this program targets children pre-K to 5th grade. Coordinated by a retired school teacher and a pediatric nurse, the Green Bear Program conveys the simple message to children that "No one has the right to hug, kiss or touch you where you do not want to be hugged, kissed or touched." The program also emphasizes the importance of telling a trusted grown up and to keep telling until they get help. This year alone, we have reached over 5,000 children with the Green Bear program. The interest from school administrators has been overwhelming, and we are struggling to keep up with the demand! Other Prevention Programs: Information / training programs include a program for parents, grandparents and caretakers, which focuses on recognizing the signs of sexual abuse, what to do if abuse is suspected and what steps to take to prevent abuse from occurring. There are also age appropriate programs for children and youth in grades 6-12 (including information for young adults about dating and rape prevention, and training for "mandated reporters" (school personnel, day care workers, doctors, etc.) on how to recognize signs of abuse and how to report it. Counseling: Individual counseling services are provided to child and adult victims of sexual abuse / assault. Many of the adult clients seen by the SEMO NASV mental health professionals are adults who were molested as children. Victims' Advocacy: Individuals who have been sexually assaulted or abused are provided a victim's advocate, who can help them understand their rights and assist them with legal and administrative issues relating to their abuse. Free Training: Specialized training on issues relating to child physical and sexual abuse is provided by the SEMO-NASV for law enforcement, EMTs, firefighters, and other "first responders" who may encounter victims of abuse. These trainings improve the quality of care provided to victims by increasing awareness and understanding of the nature and prevalence of child sexual abuse, as well as specific interventions and forensic techniques.