Program Summary for SACC

The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) is a safe pace for kids who may have been abused to tell their story.  We bring together a team of specially trained professionals who evaluate and investigate cases of child abuse and help children and their families through this hard time.

The Forensic Interview is the heart of our work.  The child victim will speak with an interviewer who has special training in the many dynamics of child abuse.  The goal is to make each child as comfortable as possible while gathering information in a neutral, objective way.  Interviews are videotaped in an effort to reduce the number of times the child has to talk about the abuse.

Clinical Coordination – After the interview all child victims and their non-offending family members receive a clinical coordinator/family advocate who provides crisis intervention, support services, and case management.

 Medical Exam – An on-site medical exam room staffed with trained staff offers child sexual assault victims a medical exam that collects evidence and document trauma, if present.  Most importantly, it is performed to reassure the child and family that his/her body is okay.

Mental Health – On-site mental health services are available for child victims and their non-offending family members.  Referrals can be made to local trauma based providers for children who live outside Faulkner County.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the 13th South Judicial District recruits and trains local advocates to stand up for abused and neglected children.  They represent the child's best interests in court, and help them find safe, permanent homes.

The CASA Advocate provides consistency and stability in a time of turmoil.  A CASA Advocate is more than a volunteer – they complete 30 hours of training and become a sworn officer of the court.

When a CASA is appointed a case, they explore the child's background and assess their situation to make objective recommendations to the court.  The child may be placed with parents, relatives, foster care, or available for permanent adoption.  A CASA stays with a case until the child is in a safe, permanent home.

Together, these programs protect children from further harm and restore hope to their lives.