What does a CAC Provide?

  • Forensic Interviews

  • Family Advocacy

  • Mental Health Therapy

  • Medical Evaluation referrals

  • Case Coordination

  • Parent Support

What is a Child Advocacy Center?

To understand what a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is, you must understand what children face without one. Without a CAC, the child may end up having to tell the worst story of his or her life over and over again, to doctors, cops, lawyers, therapists, investigators, judges, and others. They may have to talk about that traumatic experience in a police station where they think they might be in trouble, or may be asked the wrong questions by a well-meaning teacher or other adult that could hurt the case against the abuser.

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When police or child protective services 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 in a way that does not retraumatize the child.

Then, a team that includes medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health, prosecution, child protective services, victim advocacy, and other professionals make decisions together about how to help the child based on the interview. CACs offer therapy and medical exams, plus courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and other services. This is called the multidisciplinary team (MDT) response and is a core part of the work of CACs.8

*Information retrieved from the National Children’s Alliance.

HOW DO I RECEIVE CAC SERVICES?

Referrals for CAC services generate through local law enforcement and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to begin the process of investigating allegations of abuse of a child.

WHAT IF I AM NOT INVOLVED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OR MDHHS AND I NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you are a victim of a crime and need assistance, you may contact the Delta Regional Child Advocacy Center for guidance and support.

WHO DOES THE CAC SERVE?

The Delta Regional Child Advocacy Center provides services to children and families impacted by abuse in Alger, Delta, Menominee, and Schoolcraft Counties.

 

PUTTING STANDARDS INTO PRACTICE

View or download NCA 2017 Standards to learn more about how the Delta Regional Child Advocacy Center operates as we seek accreditation from the National Children’s Alliance.