On January 16, 2003, approximately 40 people came together for a “brainstorming session” to discuss the need for a child advocacy center for the 7th Judicial District. Those attending came from Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose and San Miguel Counties, representing a variety of child and family service agencies, law enforcement, medical professionals, the District Attorney’s office, and interested citizens. The consensus was that the 7th Judicial District would benefit greatly by having a child advocacy center to coordinate a multidisciplinary team process for investigation, intervention, prosecution and stabilization of child abuse cases. By establishing the multidisciplinary process, child victims and non-offending family members would be less affected by system-inflicted trauma through the investigation, intervention and prosecution processes. In 2005, The Dolphin House opened its doors to victims and their non-offending family members.
In 2025, The Dolphin House CAC will be celebrating 20 years of dedicated service to the communities encompassing the 7th Judicial District. Over the course of 20 years, The Dolphin House has served 3,224 victims of child abuse and an untold number of non-offending family members.
Stay tuned for more information on how we will be celebrating this momentous occasion.