By Jackie Seabolt
Enterprise Record

Davie and surrounding areas have more than its share of family violence and child abuse.
The Dragonfly House Children’s Advocacy Center opened its doors on Oct. 1, 2010. Coordinator Brandi Reagan said that the goal for their first year was to see 25 children
By their one year anniversary they had seen 73 children in Davie, ages birth to 17.
Reagan says that before The Dragonfly House children with allegations of abuse would have to go to police, social services, doctors, and other agencies for help.
In 1980 in Alabama a grandmother whose grandchild was abused came up with the idea for a center where all the procedures could be done at one time.
The house is that kind of place. “Everything is taken care of here at Dragonfly House,” Reagan says.
Children are interviewed by forensic specialists and given an external head to toe medical exam by a board certified physician.
“The exam is used mainly for reassurance to let them know that they are going to be OK,” Reagan says. “It lets them know they aren’t broken.”
Each child receives a blanket and t-shirt to use during the exam that are donated by volunteers.
“So many volunteers and local organizations have helped keep our shelves full,” Reagan says.
Reagan also says that often times undiagnosed problems are found during the exam such as ear infections, lice, and filth – all of which can be signs of neglect.
Once the interview and exam are complete members at The Dragonfly House can sit down and go over their findings with non-offending members of the family and help them with a plan of action.
There are child advocacy centers in surrounding counties, but none offer what Dragonfly House can do …