GETTING STARTED - DEVELOPING CAC CENTERS
You've heard about Children's Advocacy Centers and think the model might be a good fit for your community, but where do you start? We've provided some resources to help get you started. And remember, you can always call us to help you out (it's what we do!).
THE EVALUATION OF CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS
There are over 450 state and federally recognized tribes in the western states served by WRCAC, more than any other region in the country. Almost half of the tribes are in Alaska.
Tribes have separate government structures, include additional partners, such as the FBI, in the investigation of child abuse, and attributes that make each tribe unique. These resources are designed to help CACs that serve a tribal population, or for tribes that are interested in developing a CAC.
Guidelines for CACs in Tribal Areas
NCAC Child Maltreatment in Native American Communities
Building Relationships and Resources with Tribal Communities
Federal and State Recognized Tribes
Indian Country Child Trauma Center
Native American Child Welfare Association
Native American Children's Alliance
Walking on Common Ground: Resources for Tribal, State, and Federal Collaborations
Children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect. Here are some resources to help you and your center work more effectively with children with special needs and their families.
Identification, Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse involving Children with Special Needs
Forensic Interviewing of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Part 1
Forensic Interviewing of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Part 2
Guidelines for Services with Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Child Abuse Investigation and Treatment for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children
No Sign of Harm: Issues for Disabled Children Communicating about Abuse
National Snapshot: Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities
A Multidisciplinary Response to Crime Victims with Disabilities
This section contains job descriptions for very common CAC positions. If you have questions about a sample job description that is not listed below please feel free to contact the Chapter office.
Sample Executive Director Job Description
Rescue and Restore Campaign Toolkits
Confronting Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Minors in the United States 2013
A growing number of Children's Advocacy Centers are incorporating dogs or other animals into their centers. There are a variety of approaches: comfort animals, therapy animals, and courthouse dogs. There are differences in the purpose, training, and use of these animals. Centers that are considering adding an animal should carefully consider how to incorporate the animal into their services.
Working in the field of child abuse, especially sexual abuse, can have a profound effect on the professionals who do this work. Understanding the impact of secondary trauma and incorporating a practice of self care can help professionals develop the resiliency needed to deal with this work in a healthy manner.
Secondary Trauma within Child Welfare
The Eight Laws Governing Healthy Caregiving
What Helps? Addressing Vicarious Trauma