If your family is experiencing child abuse and/or domestic violence and you need somewhere to turn, the Baystate Family Advocacy Center can help you.

Who We Are:
The Baystate Family Advocacy Center (BFAC) of Baystate Health is a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center (CAC) serving the children, families and communities of Western Massachusetts affected by child abuse, domestic violence and/or homicide.  As child abuse, domestic violence and homicide are community problems the FAC coordinates services with our community partners.  

Our Services:

Since every family situation is unique, the Baystate Family Advocacy Center offers a variety of support including:

•  counseling
•  medical services
•  support programs
•  advocacy programs
•  victim services

Depending on your situation, you may be helped by one or more of the services provided. Insurance is accepted and many therapy programs are free of charge.

Our Team:

Stephen C. Boos, M.D., Medical Director

Barry Sarvet, M.D., Co-Medical Director

Kathleen Cassidy, NP, Nurse Practitioner

Jessica Wozniak, Psy.D., Clinical Grants Coordinator

Noreen McGirr, LICSW, Clinical Supervisor

Jacqueline Humphreys, LICSW, Clinical Social Worker

Leah Berkowitz-Gosselin, LICSW, Clinical Social Worker

Sarah Marcotte, LICSW, Clinical Social Worker

Jennifer Castonguay, LMHC, Behavioral Health Clinician

Yashira Oropeza-Diaz, Psy.D, LMHC, MA-PGS, Behavioral Health Clinician

Elizabeth Pinard, MSW, LICSW, Evaluation Team Coordinator

Kouren Delgado, Evaluation Team Case Worker

Caroline Crespo, Medical Assistant

Meet the team...

Administrative Staff

Rebekah Paredes, Program Manager

Allyson Rogers, Office Supervisor

Hazzel Di’Dio, Practice Associate

Jennifer McCaffrey, Data Coordinator

Our Programs:

Multidisciplinary Interview Team

Our interview team enables children to be interviewed on-site in a child friendly and safe environment when child abuse is suspected or has been disclosed. This coordinated interview reduces trauma for the child by decreasing the number of interviews.

The team consists of trained professionals from the Hampden County District Attorney's Office; the Department of Children & Families; local, regional, and state law enforcement; and the Baystate Family Advocacy Center.

Child Abuse Medical Evaluation Clinic

Children receive a comprehensive medical evaluation by a pediatric specialist and social work team with special training in evaluating children for sexual and physical abuse. Intervention and follow-up services are provided by the team.

Individual and Group Therapy

Children and families affected by trauma, including physical and/or sexual abuse, dating violence, witnessing domestic violence and homicide, receive individual, family, and group therapy in a child friendly environment. 

Our clinicians offer several age specific groups for victims of physical and sexual assault. Non-offending parent groups are also offered as an additional source of support.

Family Advocacy
The Evaluation Team Coordinator, Case Worker and Victim Witness Advocate are additional supports to the families of children who are being interviewed in the Multidisciplinary Interview Team process or examined for possible child abuse. Our team offers educational and supportive material and resources to the families, answers questions, and provides guidance throughout the process. The team follows families up to six months after the interview or examination in order to offer continued service and support.

Education and Outreach
The BFAC staff provides education and outreach regarding child abuse and child witness to violence issues to area schools, businesses, community organizations, and medical facilities.

The Baystate Family Advocacy Center is located at 50 Maple Street, Springfield MA. 

• To make an appointment for Therapy Services at the Baystate Family Advocacy Center, please call our Central Intake Office at 413-794-5555.  
• For other services or information about the BFAC, please call 413-794-9816.

The Baystate Family Advocacy Center is proud to be an accredited member of the National Children's Alliance, a member of the Massachusetts Children's Alliance and the National Children's Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).

“This project is supported by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance through a Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA) grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.”