The Choctaw Nation celebrated the grand opening of the Ahni House – Children’s Advocacy Center in Hugo, Oklahoma, on February 5, 2025.
The Ahni House is a facility dedicated to providing a safe, supportive environment for children affected by abuse.
Sandy Hall, Program Manager and Forensic Interviewer, shared her thoughts on the importance of the center:
“Opening the Ahni House to provide services for children and their families is a dream come true for me. I became a forensic interviewer 14 years ago and saw the need for a child-friendly place for children to be interviewed and receive the resources needed for healing. Ahni House will work closely with local and tribal multidisciplinary teams to provide the utmost care to children. Not only is Ahni House creating a child-friendly safe space, but we are also empowering children to find their voice and ensuring that they are heard, believed and supported.”
The Ahni House offers forensic interviews, advocacy, medical exams, mental health services and referrals, reducing the need for children to visit multiple agencies.
The facility’s child-friendly atmosphere helps minimize trauma and ensures children receive compassionate care.
Utilizing a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach, professionals from law enforcement, child welfare, medical fields, forensic interviewing and prosecution collaborate to investigate abuse cases while prioritizing the child’s well-being.
The center also provides counseling referrals in order to help families navigate the healing process.
Chief Batton shared a recent social media post expressing his excitement for the opening.
“This important project, funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, will serve as a tribal children’s advocacy center to support both tribal and non-tribal child victims across our reservation. Ahni House will provide the highest level of wraparound care, working closely with multidisciplinary teams in Pushmataha and Choctaw Counties to ensure that every child receives the care and justice they deserve. The center will be staffed with a victim advocate, forensic interviewer, and a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE nurse) to provide specialized support for those in need. This is a big step forward in protecting and supporting our most vulnerable community members. Yakoke to everyone who made this possible!”
In addition to direct services, the Ahni House focuses on abuse prevention and education, teaching caregivers how to recognize warning signs and protect children.
Suspected abuse can, and should, be reported to the Oklahoma Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-522-3511.
With the opening of Ahni House, the Choctaw Nation strengthens its commitment to protecting, empowering and advocating for children, ensuring they are heard, supported and given the resources they need to heal.