THE CAC MODEL

HOW DO CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS HELP CHILDREN?

The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model was developed in the 1980s as a response to the fragmented and often traumatic system children faced when reporting abuse. Former prosecutor Bud Cramer envisioned a child-friendly approach that combined all necessary services—law enforcement, medical, mental health, and child protective services—under one roof. This coordinated, multidisciplinary approach ensures children are supported and their families receive comprehensive care. It minimizes re-traumatization and promotes healing while seeking justice. Today, the CAC model is used nationwide to promote safety, healing, and justice for children and their families while providing a safe, comprehensive response to child abuse.

Access to specialized mental health services is essential for children who have experienced abuse and their families to begin the healing process. As part of the multidisciplinary response, CACs connect children with trained professionals - the multidisciplinary team (MDT) who provide trauma-focused, evidence-based counseling and support, addressing the unique needs of both the child and their non-offending caregivers.

When law enforcement or child protective services suspect a child is being abused, the child is brought to a CAC by a trusted adult. In this child-focused, safe environment, a trained interviewer gently guides the child in telling their story, ensuring that the process does not cause additional trauma. A team of experts—including medical professionals, law enforcement, prosecutors, mental health providers, child protective services, and victim advocates—then works together to determine how best to help the child. CACs also provide access to therapy, medical evaluations, victim advocacy, case management, and other supportive services.

This collaborative MDT response is central to the work CACs perform nationwide.

SERVICES OFFERED BY CACs INCLUDE:

  • Forensic interviews, conducted in a non-threatening, child-friendly environment.

  • Crisis intervention and emotional support for victims and their non-offending family members.

  • Mental health services for victims and non-offending family members to help them heal from the trauma of abuse.

  • Medical evaluations and services

  • Multidisciplinary case reviews by a team of professionals, including law enforcement, child protection teams, prosecutors, medical and mental health professionals, and victim advocates.

MANY CACs ALSO PROVIDE:

  • Evidence-based prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing the risk of child maltreatment and ensuring safe, caring homes for children.

  • Professional training and community education to improve responses to child abuse.

WITHOUT A CAC:

  • Child victims may have to tell their stories over and over in places that are scary or might make them feel like they are in trouble.

  • Child victims and their non-offending caregivers may interact with people who lack the skills or experience to handle their situation with sensitivity or in a child-friendly manner.

  • Families have the added burden of sourcing resources and services their children need all on their own.

“Today, the CAC model is used nationwide to promote safety, healing, and justice for children and their families while providing a safe, comprehensive response to child abuse.”

  • Our highly trained staff truly cares for children and is skilled at engaging them at their developmental level, ensuring a supportive and comfortable experience at every stage.

  • We ensure that children who experience abuse are quickly identified and provided with the necessary support, protecting them from further harm. This strengthens the community’s ability to safeguard its most vulnerable members. At our CAC, children tell their story to a trained interviewer who makes the process gentle on the child while they find out the facts about the case.

  • CACs streamline the process of handling child abuse cases by coordinating efforts among a community of professionals (in medicine, law enforcement, social services, etc.), leading to faster interventions and better outcomes.

  • By bringing together a multidisciplinary team and using trained forensic interviewers, CACs improve the quality of evidence and case management. This leads to higher conviction rates for offenders, which helps prevent future crimes and enhances the community's sense of safety.

  • By centralizing services and coordinating efforts, CACs reduce the financial and emotional costs of child abuse investigations and court cases. It prevents duplication of services and allows resources to be used more effectively, saving money for law enforcement, healthcare, and legal systems.

  • Families benefit from our comprehensive services, including counseling, legal advocacy, and emotional support. This holistic care helps families heal and reduces the long-term impact of abuse on the community, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, and other negative outcomes.

  • Mental health therapy at a CAC provides effective, tailored treatments that meet the unique needs of each child, helping them heal from trauma, build resilience, and supporting their ability to lead healthy, productive lives.

  • CACs often engage in community education and prevention programs, raising awareness about child abuse, its warning signs, and how to respond. These efforts empower communities to take action early, potentially preventing abuse and creating a culture of vigilance and support.

  • When children are provided with trauma-informed care and can heal from abuse, they are more likely to grow into healthy, contributing members of society. By addressing the trauma early, the community helps reduce the long-term negative effects such as mental health issues, crime, or unemployment, fostering a more resilient and healthy population.

What is the National Children’s Alliance (NCA)?

The NCA is the national association and accrediting body for a network of more than 850 Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country. NCA provides support, advocacy, quality assurance, and national leadership to help CACs across the country deliver coordinated, evidence-based responses to child abuse in all 50 states.