Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – Unknown to many, Marin County has a designated place where children involved in potential abuse cases can be interviewed by professional investigators assigned to research allegations of wrongdoing. The highly sensitive discussions are handled at the Jeannette Prandi Children's Center in Marin’s Lucas Valley area.
Inspirational folks involved in creating the most comforting setting possible for these interviews will be celebrated with an awards event September 9 co-hosted by the Marin County District Attorney’s Office and the nonprofit Bay Area Community Resources. The public is invited to attend the gathering at 10:45 AM in the Marin County Board of Supervisors Chamber, Suite 330, at the Marin County Civic Center.
The Prandi Center therapists and staff provide the setting for a coordinated and collaborative interview with the required agencies responding to the child's allegation. Investigators strive to gain a thorough understanding of what the child may have seen, heard, or endured while being sensitive to the difficulty children sometimes have describing or recounting traumatizing events.
The event will include an appearance by renowned keynote speaker, comic, educator and former probation officer Michael Pritchard, a longtime Marin resident. Awards will be presented to law enforcement investigators and a special Children’s Champion Award recipient is Phyllis’ Garden, a nonprofit that donated furniture to the Prandi Center’s recent upgrades. Dr. Michael Grogan, the Center’s director is retiring and will be acknowledged for his 26 years of service.
District Attorney Lori Frugoli noted that in addition to overseeing the day-to-day functions of the center, Grogan organized the child interviews, consulted with therapists, provided expertise during the interviews, and conducted training for local law enforcement agencies. He also wrote the script for the educational film “Irreversible Consequences,” which featured students from San Marin High School in Novato and addressed the topic of sexual assault and setting boundaries. Thousands of local students have seen the film through the years.
“Michael has given his heart and soul to the Jeannette Prandi Children’s Center,” Frugoli said. “He has mentored and provided countless training opportunities for forensic interviewers and ensured victims and their families receive counseling and support to address after their interviews. Michael’s collaborative partnership with law enforcement, victims, their families and the DA’s Office has been instrumental in helping survivors in the worst moments of their lives by reducing trauma will never be forgotten.”
The center is named after Jeannette Prandi, the first female police sergeant in Marin County, who died of cancer in 1997. For nearly three decades, Prandi inspired others through her extensive, capable, and dedicated work on behalf of Marin’s children. The center is a partnership between Bay Area Community Resources, the DA’s Office, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Marin County Police Chief's Association.
The Civic Center is 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. The Board Chamber is on the third floor, and there is plenty of free parking near the building’s South Arch.
# # #
For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6358 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail County staff in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.