Philanthropy Enables Digital Transformation for Children’s Advocacy Centers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Blake Warenik, Director of Communications
(202) 548-0090 x122
bwarenik@nca-online.org
Ballmer Group invests $300,000 in next-generation VidaNyx video management system in support of survivors of child abuse
WASHINGTON — In a first-of-its kind partnership among a philanthropy, a social technology innovator, and a national nonprofit association, Ballmer Group has donated $300,000 to be awarded through National Children’s Alliance (NCA) to provide next-generation video management systems to the nation’s Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) to protect evidence, enhance services to child victims, and support criminal justice with an innovative tech solution.
Grants will be made available to CACs nationwide to purchase an initial subscription to VidaNyx, developed by Seattle-based Giving Tech Labs. VidaNyx is a secure cloud-based video management, sharing and archiving solution tailored to the needs of CACs. It was built from the ground up as a collective effort working with NCA, and an advisory council of expert attorneys, prosecutors, therapists, the FBI, forensic interviewers, CAC leaders across the U.S., government officials and philanthropists.
“Investing in data and technology is critical for nonprofits and government services working to improve the lives of children and families,” said Korey Klein, Ballmer Group’s portfolio manager for technology and data infrastructure. “We are proud to shed light on the important work of National Children’s Alliance and help to scale software like VidaNyx, a solution that protects and supports vulnerable kids who have experienced neglect or abuse.”
NCA leadership chose to partner with VidaNyx and Ballmer Group not only because the product is tailored to meet the needs of CACs, but also because the broader support of tech firms and philanthropies for CACs is critical to their ability to innovate to meet the needs of child victims.
“We are so grateful for the support of Ballmer Group in funding digital transformation for Children’s Advocacy Centers,” said NCA executive director Teresa Huizar. “This grant will be instrumental in mission achievement for multidisciplinary teams and creating peace of mind for families. CACs provide a coordinated, evidence-based response to children who have been abused in all 50 states. And now, thanks to Ballmer Group, dozens of CACs can protect forensic interviews like they protect the kids. We invite other philanthropists and corporations who care about healthy communities to join in this effort.”
Giving Tech Labs, the creators of VidaNyx, developed the product not just to satisfy a market need, but also a social one to meet the demands of next-level digital security for the growing number of children served by CACs around the country.
“We created VidaNyx when we learned of the systemic need for a secure digital solution to protect and manage child forensic interviews,” explains VidaNyx co-founder Shelly Kurtz. “In less than one year, we have enabled child advocacy centers to lead digital transformation for their communities with over 35 agencies in 17 states. These centers report up to 95% savings in their operating costs related to digital video evidence management and 67% faster processing times. Thanks to Ballmer Group, thousands more children will be protected all across the U.S. With the savings during the first year, the solution pays for itself for years to come making this catalytic grant the spark for true system change. Technology can augment speed and capacity not just for child advocacy centers, but for law enforcement, prosecution, and other multi-disciplinary agencies to protect evidence in a modern, digital workflow. We
look forward to a long-lasting partnership with Ballmer Group to power impact and change for children and underserved communities.”
Any of the more than 880 NCA member CACs across the country may apply for a competitive grant to purchase a VidaNyx subscription at nationalchildrensalliance.org from November 12 through December 5, 2019.
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About National Children’s Alliance
National Children’s Alliance makes one big difference, one child and one voice at a time. As the nonprofit association and accrediting body providing comprehensive care through hundreds of Children’s Advocacy Centers nationwide, we unify and amplify our voices to command better outcomes. With a forward-thinking approach that stays at the forefront of every child’s future, we are the beginning of child abuse’s end. For more information, visit nationalchildrensalliance.org.
About Ballmer Group
Ballmer Group works to improve economic mobility for children and families in the United States who are disproportionately likely to remain in poverty. We believe that building pathways to opportunity requires broad, systemic change. We invest in many stages of a child’s life by supporting strong community partnerships among public, private, and nonprofit organizations that use data to more effectively serve families. Ballmer Group was co-founded by philanthropist and civic activist Connie Ballmer and her husband Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, founder of USAFacts, and chairman of the Los Angeles Clippers. Learn more at www.ballmergroup.org and on Twitter @BallmerGroup.
About VidaNyx
VidaNyx (pronounced “VEE-da-NIX”) is a Digital Video Evidence Management enterprise that offers a cloud-based video management solution to help agencies that protect children who are survivors of sexual abuse and neglect. Children’s Advocacy Centers using the solution report a reduction in their operating cost per forensic interview by up to 95% and their case preparation time by up to 67%, enabling those centers to focus more time and money on prevention, education and related activities to maximize social impact. For more information, visit www.vidanyx.com.