Members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and representatives of the county’s Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) recently gathered to dedicate the renovated facility to the life and work of a fallen detective.
The CAC, on Hadley Avenue, Toms River, is now known as Tina’s House in honor of Detective Tina Rambo.
Rambo, who worked for the prosecutor’s office for 10 years, was killed in a motor vehicle accident in August 2011.
Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said the center’s dedication was a fitting one because Rambo regularly worked to “reduce the impact of abuse and minimize secondary trauma to child victims.”
“[Rambo] was a detective who worked tirelessly to obtain that objective,” he said.
Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor’s office, described Tina’s House as a “comprehensive, child-friendly facility that provides a multidisciplinary team response to allegations of child abuse.”
Tina’s House features a nautical theme throughout the building, with waiting rooms that resemble living rooms, complete with televisions, toys, games and books.
While the county has been busy renovating the facility, local groups have donated items to help make youngsters who have reason to be at the building feel more at home.
In September, Jackson Girl Scout Troop 462 donated a fully stocked, hand-built bookshelf to Tina’s House.
“[The bookshelf] stands in a very special room that is designed to provide a feeling of comfort and safety to child victims,” Coronato said.
Officials said the building was renovated to make young victims of abuse and their family members more at ease during the investigation process.
“When working with child victims, the team uses a ‘child-first’ approach to ensure that children and their loved ones do not suffer any additional trauma,” Della Fave said.
Representatives of law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy agencies will be available at Tina’s House to provide support to victims of child abuse.
For more information about Tina’s House or to report child abuse, call 732- 929-2027.