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Programs
The Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County (CAC) provides a physically and emotionally safe, comfortable, private setting for children and their non-offending family members to access services when maltreatment is suspected. The location is secure, so only those children and families scheduled to come to the Center are allowed to enter. We value diversity and strive to offer accessible services in culturally competent, respectful ways. There is never a charge for services provided at the CAC.
Interviews of children are conducted at the CAC by a social worker specializing in forensic interviews. Neutral, non-leading methods follow best practices in the field and yield interviews that are non-traumatizing to the child and can be used in court to hold those who offend against children accountable.
The child is our first priority.
Not the needs of the family.
Not the child’s “story.”
Not the evidence.
Not the needs of the courts.
Not the needs of police, child protection, attorneys, etc.
The child is our first priority.
Medical Evaluation
The CAC’s medical team is available two days per week to provide pediatric medical examination services for children between the ages of 0 – 17. These examinations are scheduled at the recommendation of child protective services or law enforcement, or at the request of children and their families coming to the Center. The medical team also provides expert consultation to members of the multidisciplinary team and other professionals on the physical and emotional consequences of child abuse and neglect.
Counseling for children, youth, and caregivers: The CAC provides in-house trauma-informed counseling using a two-generation approach. Often both children and their caregivers have histories of exposure to child maltreatment, and for wellbeing to be restored, healing must be possible for both generations. The CAC also links families to outside counseling resources.
The CAC employs a full time Advocate to support families through the investigation, prosecution, and healing processes. The Advocate can help caregivers complete compensation paperwork, apply for needed benefits, or connect with other service providers, as well as accompany the child/family to court and coordinate services with other agencies. Advocacy is always available to children and families who come through the CAC, whether help is needed next week or next year. This support is provided for as long as the family wishes it; the CAC never ‘closes’ a case, so families can return to ask questions and request connections for services as their child’s and their family’s needs change.
The CAC provides professional and community trainings on the impact exposure to adverse childhood experiences such as child abuse have on the way children’s brains develop and function, and what we can do to effectively prevent and heal trauma. The CAC has an ACEs Liaison working with schools and law enforcement to initiate a new program, Handle with Care.
The CAC is fortunate to have a well-organized, all volunteer non-profit organization, the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center to support it. This group not only provides funds to benefit the children coming to the CAC, but volunteer hours as well. The group is now engaged in the You’ve Got a Friend mentoring program, pairing two volunteers each with a child or with a child’s parents to provide encouragement, support, and skills building for success.