Child Advocacy Centers
MO-NACA serves as the statewide association of Child Advocacy Centers (CACs), fostering a network committed to a coordinated and evidence-based response to child abuse.
CACs are safe, child-focused community-based organizations that serve as the foundation of the investigation and prosecution of child physical and sexual abuse in Missouri. CACs coordinate the multi-disciplinary investigations of child abuse, providing forensic, medical, therapeutic, and case management services as part of a multidisciplinary response to child abuse allegations.
In Missouri, all 15 regional CACs are members of MO-NACA and accredited by the National Children’s Alliance (link: https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/), serving all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. A CAC affiliated with a specific county has executed a formal agreement with local multidisciplinary team members committing to using the CAC model. These partners include law enforcement, Children’s Division field investigators, medical providers, mental health clinicians, victim advocates, prosecutors, forensic interviewers and CAC staff.
CAC SERVICES
Forensic interviews
A specially-trained, neutral interview with a child who is a suspected victim of abuse to gather information in a child-friendly, non-leading, and legally defensible manner. The interview is video-recorded and often observed by a multidisciplinary team in an effort to minimize the number of times a child has to recount their experience.
Victim advocacy
Support, information, and resources to victims and their non-offending caregivers throughout the investigation and healing process. Advocates assist with immediate needs, connect families with services like counseling and housing, explain the legal and investigative processes, and can accompany them to medical exams and court proceedings.
Mental health services
Evidence-based, therapeutic interventions for children who have experienced trauma.
Sexual assault and physical abuse forensic medical examinations
Available on-site at some locations or through a partnership with a SAFE-CARE provider (LINK: https://mo-naca.org/programs/safe-care), CACs provide quality and compassionate medical care to children to ensure their own health and safety through proper diagnosis and treatment.
Community education and outreach
Topics include child sexual abuse prevention and mandated reporting of child abuse.
11,000 +
Total number of children served
through Missouri CACs each year
100% of Missouri’s 15 regional Child Advocacy Centers provide services to all 114 counties in Missouri
8,000+ Forensic interviews completed each year by Missouri CACs
110,000+ Prevention and education services delivered by Missouri CACs each year