Marion County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.

Kimberly’s Cottage Children’s Campus

Location To Be Determined

Our community working together to

protect, serve,

and advocate for abused Children

            Kimberly’s Cottage Children’s Campus is a pilot private/public partnership of community and government agencies that work with children that are physically or sexually abused, victims of domestic violence or have chronic medical issues.  The unique child friendly, non-threatening atmosphere of Kimberly’s Cottage begins the long road to healing for the child victim and their family. 

            Kimberly’s Cottage Children’s Campus is the first co-location project in the state of Florida that includes all of the children’s services personnel that are involved with the investigation and treatment of child victims of physical, sexual abuse, and/or domestic violence as well as the medical specialty clinics for children with chronic illnesses.  The community, including the business community, local government, the service agencies, medical professionals, law enforcement and the judicial system of Ocala/Marion County all support this dream of a Children’s Campus.  This support varies from commitment to housing their staff at Kimberly’s Cottage Children’s Campus to donating funds and services to make this community dream a reality.

            Community ownership is the key to the success of this pilot private/public co-location project.  To be successful, every co-location project to follow must have the same level of commitment from the community as well as the partner agencies, both private and public.  Hand in hand to this success are also the efficiencies gained in streamlined communication and subsequent successful investigation/prosecution of the alleged perpetrator, followed closely by the effectiveness of the treatment for the child victim and non-offending parent/family through improved outcomes for the safety and well being of the child victim.  The public/private partnership companies/agencies for  the first phase of the construction of Kimberly’s Cottage Children’s Campus to be completed in the next 18 months are:

q       City of Ocala

q       Fabian/Dinkins Construction (Andy Copeland ,Architect)

q       Boyd Development Company

q       Marion County Commissioners

The partner agencies that will be located in the new Kimberly's Cottage Campus are:

q       Marion County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc., Kimberly’s Cottage

q       University of Florida, Child Protection Team

q       State Attorney’s Office

q       Ocala Police Department

q       Marion County Sheriff’s Office

q       Camelot Community Care, Inc.

q       Department of Children and Families, Protective Investigations

q       Department of Children and Families, Child Welfare Legal Services

The second phase is planned in three to five years to include the following agencies and perhaps others as leases permit:

q       Department of Health, Children’s Medical Services

q       Department of Health, Children’s Medical Services, Medical Specialty Clinics

q       Pediatric Primary Care Foundation, Inc.

q       The Centers, Inc.

Kimberly’s Cottage Children’s Campus needs the support of the community.  We will re-create the “Enchanted Forest” child friendly atmosphere of our current location.  This is truly a great opportunity for the citizens of Ocala/Marion County to support this important endeavor on behalf of child victims of abuse and neglect and their families in our community.

Click here to learn how YOU can help do more.