Forensic Interview: Is a fact finding interview conducted by a trained forensic interviewer in an age appropriate and child-friendly environment.
Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Investigation: The team consists of law enforcement officers, Child Protective Services case workers, local prosecutors, healthcare providers, and Children’s Advocacy Center staff. The team approach to investigations & victim assistance insures a continuum of services to help stabilize the lives of child abuse victims while streamlining the investigative process.
Case Review: The MDT meets monthly for case review which monitors cases as they are moving through the civil & criminal justice systems.
Victim Support and Advocacy: Support services & referrals are provided for children & their protective family members. Services are designed to meet the immediate emotional, physical, financial and safety needs for the family.
Court School: Activities, provided through this program help ease the common fears and anxieties experienced by children when they are going to participate in a court trial.
Prevention Education: Personal safety education targets school-age children. The curriculum focuses on the importance of recognizing abuse, resisting unsafe situations and reporting to a “safe adult.”
Outreach: Community awareness helps people more effectively recognize signs of child abuse and the importance of timely reporting to the appropriate authorities. Counseling: If a child makes an outcry of abuse of if there are extenuating circumstances, they are referred for counseling. The counselor at the CAC utilizes many forms of therapy including sand therapy, play therapy, and talk therapy. The Multi-disciplinary Team is updated of how the child is progressing in therapy. Parent Support Group: The CAC counselor facilitates a parent support group twice a month for parents whose children have been a victim of abuse. Since many parents cannot take off work, the group meets after hours and the CAC provides dinner and child care. Children's Art
Program: While the Parent Support Group is in session, the children have the opportunity to participate in an Art Program. A team of local artists volunteer their time for this program. It is our hope that through art and the teaching team, the special kids coming to the CAC will reach out through the program and find a new way to enrich their lives, find encouragement and perhaps a creative adventure that will go with them throughout their lives.
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