Dear Friends of CACI,

Well it's been quite a year that's been full of transition, growth, and new opportunities for the Chapter and Illinois CACs. The end of every year is a great opportunity to reflect on where we've been, where we're going, and who has been along side of us along the way.  

Some big thank you's.  Thank you to the CACI staff for your diligent work in providing Illinois CACs and MDTs the training and technical assistance they need in order to do their jobs best, you are amazing!  Thank you to our Board of Directors for your dedication to our organization and it's future. Thank you to directors, staff, and MDTs at 37 local CACs. The passion you all show for the work you do for children and families in Illinois is inspiring.  Thank you to our funding agencies and statewide and community partners, without your support we could not do the work we do. To anyone who has played a part in the statewide effort to improve the response to child abuse victims, please accept my heartfelt thank you .  

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the year ahead!

Kim
BE happier by helping others

FEEL good about yourself by making a difference

STAY connected to something positive

TAKE advantage of tax deductions
As we march towards 2019, we hope you will help us continue on this path of success!

Make your tax-deductible donation below and make CACI's critical work possible.
CACI STRATEGIC PLANNING
Corey Brodsky, Jordan Benning and Sara Lee from the Midwest Regional Children's Advocacy Center (MRCAC) came to Springfield December 6th & 7th. They led the CACI staff and Board of Directors in Strategic Planning, as we worked toward visioning and planning for the future of CACI.

The group charted out a course for the organization that will have the greatest impact on children and families throughout the state while working toward strengthening and building onto our Mission & Vision.
(l-r) Cory Brodsky, Joan Pernecke, Cara Vock, Cheryl Peterson, Rosemarie King-Grindy, Jordan Benning, Mike Burns, Michelle Hammitt, Sara Lee, Kim Mangiaracino, Mike Williams, Jean Garner, Barbara Karr
CACI Board Members Joan Pernecke & Mike Williams along with Strategic Administrator Jean Garner
It may just look like a lot of papers stuck to walls....but there is so much thoughtful & purposeful work here
It has been an exciting month! The decision to move forward with Collaborate, a statewide database, will take data to the next level. I will be reaching out to Director’s at individual CAC’s during the coming weeks to discuss next steps.  

There are many benefits of Collaborate, below are just a few:

  • Collection of data that is both valid and reliable
  • Security of information limiting access on a need-to-know basis. For example, a mental health worker and law enforcement personnel may have different accesses to information
  • Streamlining of data
  • Increasing efficiency while reducing workflow
  • Ease in collection of required data to funders

In addition, focus has been placed on the Outcome Management System (OMS). There are multiple benefits to using OMS, some of which are notated here:
  
  • Using data collected to make informed decisions
  • Meeting accountability requirements
  • Raising awareness 
  • Contributing to the organization and the field

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions regarding Collaborate or OMS.  
Hello and Happy Holidays,

ChildFirst Expanded was held November 27-29, 2018 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL.

This training provides a defensible process for conducting interviews with children who may not succeed in standard single interview due to trauma, developmental, politicization, and other complicating issues. ChildFirst Expanded provided research to support multiple non-duplicative interviews, and was a practiced mixed with lecture type training.

A special thank you must be given to our trainer of the ChildFirst Expanded Training, Laura Gapske. Laura traveled from First Witness CAC in Minnesota, through the heaviest snowfall central Illinois has seen this winter. Laura provided participants with a wealth of experience, personal stories, and examples of the ChildFirst Expanded model. 

CACI is happy to report that we will be able to provide this ChildFirst Expanded Training again in 2019.

We encourage, as centers develop protocols surrounding this Expanded Process, to reach out to CACI for any questions that they may have with these new materials. 

Sincerely,

Cara 
Below is the VOCA site visit schedule from now until the end of May 2019.

Click here to download a copy.
November was a busy training month!

In addition to other trainings, CACI provided Building Resiliency Training in Kane and Kankakee Counties. The training provided the respective MDTs to create action plans that can be implemented for their specific needs in Building Resiliency. 

Comments from the evaluations were positive and attendees said they enjoyed being able to "communicate with my team", "seeing everyone", "creating the action plan" and "group activities".

If your Center hasn't scheduled this training yet, and you would like to, please contact me.
Connecting you with nationally known experts in the field of child abuse!

Midwest Regional EduNet is a series of expert lectures on a variety of multidisciplinary topics.

All webinars are offered free of charge, provide free continuing education credits and are archived for later viewing.
Funding For CACs & Chapters
A Commitment to the Financial Support of Children’s Advocacy Centers

At NCA, we know you work hard to provide critically-needed services to our most vulnerable victims, and that’s why we’re committed to providing Children’s Advocacy Centers and Chapters around the country with financial support.
19 New Laws to Know in 2019
On Jan. 1, 2019, more than 250 new laws take effect in Illinois, changing rules related to gun control and public safety to animal welfare, health care, education – and possibly your cellphone.

Last week, state Senate Democrats and Republicans released their list of top new laws for 2019. (See Democrats’ top 10 here; Illinois GOP members highlighted “notable legislation” in a document detailing all of the new laws.) Read more HERE
On Dec. 4th, AOCAC was the recipient of a generous donation from Koppers, Inc. located in Stickney, Illinois. 

We were nominated by the Stickney Police Department (Chief Dan Babich, D/C Jaczak, and Sgt. Ortiz) for the Koppers donation.
In November, ChicagoCAC received their new full-time facility dog named Mac! Mac is a golden retriever that will be working with children & families at the center full-time to provide companionship, comfort, and emotional support. Mac and his handlers (two ChicagoCAC staff members) were trained by Duo Dogs in St. Louis
Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois | VISIT OUR WEBSITE/