Children's Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas, Inc.
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Mission Statement
The Mission of the Children's Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas, Inc. (CAC) is to prevent child abuse and ensure each child has a safe and nurturing home. Founded in 1991, CAC operates as an umbrella organization with four different programs that focus on the intervention and prevention of child abuse. These include Hope House (HH), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Family Enrichment Services (FES) and Therapy services. CAC also houses coalitions that work to improve the quality of life for children and families in our communities.
About This Cause
CAC Greater West Texas serves 13 counties in the Concho Valley: Coke, Concho, Crockett, Irion, Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, Reagan, Runnels, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton and Tom Green. Not all programs under CAC’s umbrella serve all thirteen counties, and from time to time, we are called on to serve children from counties outside the Concho Valley. The following describes each of the four programs. HOPE HOUSE Every day, children victimized by abuse or neglect arrive at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Tom Green County. Their well-being, healing, safety and protection are foremost. The child’s journey of healing begins as he tells his story during an initial forensic interview conducted by the professional staff of Hope House. The forensic interview gathers pertinent information from children in a neutral, non-leading, developmentally sensitive, and legally defensible manner. It is a critical part of the initial investigation and facilitates strong case development and criminal prosecution at trial. The forensic interview allows the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to observe and record (video/audio) of the interview. This facilitates fact finding and possible criminal offenses. More importantly (in most cases), the child has only to tell the story once, and not suffer re-traumatization by having to repeat it to different partner agencies. The Hope House MDT includes representatives from Child Protective Services, law enforcement, the district attorney, medical personnel, therapists and other CAC staff. Hope House also refers abused children to counseling, and assists families with procuring other needed services to strengthen their ability to make a safe nurturing home for their children. COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA) CASA's mission is to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children whose future home will be determined by a Court of Law. When abused children are removed from their home and the case is referred to the court, the presiding judge in the court case appoints a CASA to ensure that each child’s best interest is represented. home. Throughout a case a CASA volunteer monitors the child's situation to ensure that the child • remains safe, • receives any and all services, • receives medical and educational needs, • maintains a healthy safe bond/relationship with family (siblings), and • is in an appropriate placement either with family or foster care. CASA also • monitors family progress or lack of progress, • attends all meetings regarding the child, • speaks with doctors, therapist, teachers and anyone with a relationship with the child, • attends all court hearings and prepares written court reports for each hearing, and • continues to search for biological family for our children if parents are not showing progress. CASA is instrumental in ensuring that a child or family receives services the court may order, including therapy, substance abuse counseling and special medical or educational services. Volunteers are the heart of CASA and receive over 30 hours of specialized training by the CASA staff. CASA volunteers make the single greatest difference in the life of a foster child and provide constant and consistent advocacy during a very chaotic and difficult time in a child’s life. FAMILY ENRICHMENT SERVICES (FES) Family Enrichment Services (FES) offers a whole family approach to strengthening the family. FES is for any parent/caregiver who is interested in making their parenting journey easier, more enjoyable and more effective. FES programs include the following: • Parent Mentor Program- Parent mentors meet with families at least once a week and tailor services specific to that family. Each family’s strengths are used to address the issues they are facing and help the family set goals and make progress toward both individual and family goals. • Parents as Teachers® is a home visitation program that addresses child development and encourages positive parent-child relationships for children from prenatal to five years of age. The program screens for developmental delays and health issues. Additional services include referrals to community resources, and free fun monthly Play and Learn family event, often open to the public not just program participants. THERAPY SERVICES We offer services to child abuse victims and their families. In addition to children, parents are also offered services. Using a range of evidence-based practices, the therapy team is focused on providing the best treatment to promote healing and resiliency in our clients. CAC therapists treat a range of needs including, trauma, anxiety, depression, problematic sexual behavior and other emotional and behavioral concerns. Evidence-based treatments include: Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Phase Based Treatment for Problematic Sexual Behavior (PBT-PSB) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Child Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)