Children's Advocacy Center, Inc.

Specific Need

The Children's Advocacy Center, Inc. never charges for services provided to victims of child abuse or their non-offending caregivers. We rely solely on grants, our annual fundraisers, and the generosity of our community supporters to carry out our mission.  By supporting the CAC with a monetary contribution, you are helping to ensure child victims of abuse are treated with compassion and dignity throughout the investigative process and that they receive the support, services, and advocacy they need to begin the journey of healing. 

The CAC can always use donations of hard goods that help us carry out our operations. Following an interview, each child leaves the CAC with comfort items to help lessen anxiety.  Comfort Items (for after a forensic interivew) (Art supplies (crayons, colored pencils, markers, sketch pads), Journals (for the teenagers who visit our center), Coloring books (for both young children and teens), Tote bags/back packs to carry items (for boys and girls), Stress balls, Bubbles, Small (lap) blankets, Hospitality Items (for during the child/family's visit to the CAC), Individually packaged snacks (granola bars, crackers, dried fruit, string cheese), Bottled water (small bottles for children work well), Juice boxes) Office Supplies (Printer paper, Notepads, Pens, Recordable DVDs and DVD sleeves, Printer ink). .  If you would like to donate any of the items on our "wish list, Donations can be dropped off at the CAC.

Mission

Profile

The Children's Advocacy Center, Inc. (CAC) is a neutral, child-focused setting where children can be interviewed when there has been an allegation of child abuse; specifically child sexual abuse, but also severe physical abuse and instances where a child may have witnessed a violent act.

The CAC addresses child abuse in collaboration with the following: Kansas Department for Children & Families (DCF), Pittsburg Police Department, Crawford County Sheriff's Department, Crawford County Attorney's Office, Via-Christi Health, Community Mental Health Center of Crawford County, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Cherokee County Sheriff's Department, Cherokee County Attorney's Office, Spring River Mental Health & Wellness.

The CAC coordinates the efforts of law enforcement, protective services, medical and mental health providers, and family advocates during investigations of child sexual abuse. The CAC provides children with a safe place to share their story in their own words with experts who will listen to them, protect them, and help them heal. 

Our staff coordinates a family's visit to the CAC, provides support before, during, and following a child's interview, completes referrals for critical services such as counseling and medical exams, conducts forensic interviews, and provides community education and prevention programs.