About Us
English
Español
What is a CAC?
A Children’s Advocacy Center is a child-focused, facility-based program where representatives from many disciplines meet to discuss and make decisions about investigation, treatment, intervention, and prosecution of child abuse cases. They also work together to prevent further victimization of children.
The multidisciplinary team approach brings together under one umbrella all the professionals and agencies needed to offer comprehensive services: law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, mental health, medical, and victim advocacy.
CACs are community-based programs designed by professionals and volunteers to meet the unique needs of its community.
Communities that have developed a CAC experience many benefits, including a reduction in the number of child victim interviews and increased successful prosecution. Studies also indicate that communities with a CAC versus communities using the traditional CPS-Law Enforcement response to child abuse saves $1,318 per child abuse case, according to National Children’s Advocacy Center researchers in Huntsville, AL. The study also found that traditional investigations cost 45% more than CAC investigations.
The comprehensive approach, with follow-up services provided by the CAC, ensures that children receive child-focused services in a child-friendly environment — one in which the Child’s needs come first.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT) are the foundation of the Child Advocacy Center’s response to allegations of child abuse. An MDT is a group of professionals from distinct disciplines that collaborate from the point of a report of abuse, throughout a child and family’s involvement with the CAC.
MDT members include: Prosecutors, Law Enforcement Detectives, DCYF Investigators, Forensic Interviewers, Victim Advocates, Medical Professionals, and Mental Health Therapists.
The MDT’s purpose is to reduce the number of times a child has to speak about their abuse, and to help families access safety and services.
The Multi-Disciplinary Team Investigation includes an interview which provides a child the space and time to talk about what happened – in their own words. Team members observe and listen to the interview. Members of the team then work together to create an action plan for support and services based on the needs of the child and family. Our MDTs are dedicated to safety and healing for every child and family.
The Case Specific Multi-Disciplinary Team Includes:
Child & Family
Our Mission:
Through a multidisciplinary team (MDT) coordination of investigation, prosecution, and therapeutic response, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Yakima County strives to reduce the emotional trauma of child victims and witnesses.
MDT Coordinator
Facilitates a coordinated approach in the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases by utilizing a multidisciplinary team of professionals involved in child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution, victim advocacy, medical and mental health services.
Law Enforcement
Responds to reports of child abuse, investigates the allegations in conjunction with DCYF, and makes arrests when appropriate.
DCYF
Responds to reports of child abuse, investigates the allegations in conjunction with law enforcement, and works to ensure children are safe.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Reviews cases with members of Multidisciplinary Team to guide the child abuse investigations, determines whether prosecution in criminal court is appropriate, and prepares cases for trial.
Victim/Witness Advocate
Provides Children and their families/caregivers with support and education about the investigation and criminal justice process, and linkage to community resources.
Mental Health Consultant
Provides evidence-based and trauma focused mental health treatment to children who have experienced abuse or other traumatizing events.
Medical Provider
Provides non-invasive physical exams for children with allegations or concerns of sexual or physical abuse.
Forensic Interviewer
Interviews children who may have experienced abuse, following Washington State Child Interview Guidelines based on the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) investigative interview protocol.
Core Components of a CAC
- Separate, child-friendly facilities for interviewing using a forensic interviewing model and providing services to child victims and the non-offending family members
- Core disciplines:
- law enforcement
- child protective services
- prosecution
- mental health
- medical
- victim advocacy
- Coordinated multidisciplinary investigation team
- Regular interdisciplinary case review
- Intensive case follow-up
Specially trained professionals
The comprehensive approach, with follow-up services provided by the CAC, ensures that children receive child-focused services in a child-friendly environment — one in which the Child’s needs come first.
