SERVICES
WHAT IS A CAC?
From the National Children’s Alliance (NCA):
CACs are defined by the Children’s Bureau (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) as Level 1 emergency responders.
CACs are how communities mount a coordinated response to allegations of child abuse. To understand what a CAC is, you must understand what children face without one. Without a CAC, a child may end up having to tell the worst story of his or her life over and over again, to doctors, police, lawyers, therapists, investigators, judges, and others. They may not get the help they need to heal once the investigation is over, either.
When police or child protective services [DHR] believe a child is being abused, the child is brought to the CAC—a safe, child-focused environment—by a caregiver or other “safe” adult. At the CAC, the child tells their story once to a trained interviewer who knows the right questions to ask. Then, based on the interview, a multidisciplinary team that includes medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health providers, prosecution, child protective services, victim advocates, and other professionals make decisions together about how to help the child. Finally, CACs offer a wide range of services like therapy, medical exams, courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and more.
CACs are defined by the Children’s Bureau (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) as Level 1 emergency responders.
CACs are how communities mount a coordinated response to allegations of child abuse. To understand what a CAC is, you must understand what children face without one. Without a CAC, a child may end up having to tell the worst story of his or her life over and over again, to doctors, police, lawyers, therapists, investigators, judges, and others. They may not get the help they need to heal once the investigation is over, either.
When police or child protective services [DHR] believe a child is being abused, the child is brought to the CAC—a safe, child-focused environment—by a caregiver or other “safe” adult. At the CAC, the child tells their story once to a trained interviewer who knows the right questions to ask. Then, based on the interview, a multidisciplinary team that includes medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health providers, prosecution, child protective services, victim advocates, and other professionals make decisions together about how to help the child. Finally, CACs offer a wide range of services like therapy, medical exams, courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and more.
Downloadable Resources from the National Children’s Alliance:
https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/nca-digital-media-kit/fact-sheet/
https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/NCAtop8_0.pdf
https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/nca-digital-media-kit/fact-sheet/
https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/NCAtop8_0.pdf
FORENSIC INTERVIEWS
Forensic interviews are structured, fact-finding, developmentally appropriate conversations between a child and a trained interviewer. The interviewer follows a national protocol, asking non-leading questions about the child’s experience. Interviews are held strictly on a referral basis, with law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources (DHR) bringing cases to the advocacy center. All interviews are digitally recorded and watched by the necessary law enforcement and DHR personnel for investigative purposes.
TRAUMA-INFORMED THERAPY
Our licensed therapist is specially trained and experienced in helping victims of sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, rape, emotional abuse, and other trauma. Our therapist not only provides traditional talk-therapy, but also play therapy and body safety. The range of expertise allows the therapist to provide the most appropriate care for each client, no matter their age, stage, or story.
COMMUNITY PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
Community prevention and education serves as an umbrella term for the plethora of educational services our prevention coordinator provides to the Blount County community. These services include: school-based body prevention classes and professional training, all with the common goal of ending child abuse.
THE NUMBERS
|
