St. Joseph's Mercy Health System confronted the problem of child abuse head on in the spring of 2003 by founding the Advocacy Center, Arkansas' first and only hospital-based facility for child abuse and neglect.  ln keeping with a St. Joseph's Mercy tradition of providing health care with compassion and Christian values, the Center's highly-trained professionals employed a child-focused, child-friendly approach while serving 207 patients in its first year. 

Services at the Advocacy Center include forensic interviewing, medical examinations, child advocacy, prevention programs, trainings, and public awareness. The Center also features a children's healing refuge called Chloe's Garden. In keeping with the mission of the Sisters of Mercy, all services are free to the families of Garland and surrounding counties.