Forensic Interview
The forensic interview is a critical component in child abuse investigations. The CAC's trained forensic interviewers conduct interviews with children in a neutral, non-threatening environment to ensure the information gathered is credible and reliable. This process:
- Focuses on gathering information in a way that is sensitive to the child's developmental level.
- Ensures the child's safety by making sure they are not re-traumatized during the interview.
- Minimizes multiple interviews by sharing the results with law enforcement and child welfare investigators, reducing the number of times a child must be questioned.
- Utilizes two specialized interview rooms designed for different age groups (younger children and older children/teenagers) to make the environment as comfortable as possible.
- The forensic interviewers undergo ongoing training and peer reviews to maintain high standards.
Counseling Services
The counseling services provided by the CAC are crucial for helping children and families heal after experiencing abuse. These services include:
- Evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy designed to address the emotional and psychological impact of abuse.
- Family-wide support, recognizing that abuse affects everyone in the family, not just the child.
- The therapy is provided at no cost to the child and non-offending family members.
- The CAC works with families to determine the best treatment options, ensuring that every case is tailored to the individual needs of the child and family members.
Advocacy
The family advocacy service is designed to support non-offending caregivers during a traumatic and uncertain time. The advocate:
- Provides guidance throughout the entire process, helping the family navigate the legal and investigative steps.
- Helps caregivers manage the crisis that arises when a child has been harmed.
- Offers continuous support, from the initial referral to the CAC, throughout the investigation, and until the family no longer requires assistance.
- The family advocate is a key point of contact for caregivers, ensuring they have the resources and information they need.
Together, these services offer a holistic approach to supporting children and families who have experienced trauma, helping them recover, navigate the legal system, and find healing.
Education
Our education program focuses on education students to recognize and respond to abuse, bullying, digital dangers, and more. This program is centered around 5 safety rules and identifying safe adults through evidence based age appropriate material designed specifically for each grade level.
