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The CAC Celebrates 10 Years
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Gratiot County (CAC).
While planning began in 2010 and programming began in 2012, the doors officially opened in January 2013 and in October of that same year, the CAC applied for and received Accreditation from the National Children’s Alliance. To date, staff have served 1,349 alleged victims of child maltreatment along with nearly 4,000 protective caregivers and siblings.
The CAC functions within a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) comprised of the Office of the Gratiot County Prosecutor, law enforcement from every Gratiot County jurisdiction, the Department of Health and Human Services, Gratiot Integrated Health Network, Zenlightenment Wellness Center, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital - Center for Child Protection, and Sparrow Health Systems. The purpose of the Team is to ensure a coordinated, victim-centered approach from the onset of an investigation through to prosecution of a case. Center staff continue providing support to children and their families until it’s no longer needed. Services through the Children’s Advocacy Center are provided at no cost.
When an allegation of abuse occurs, children, their protective caregivers, and siblings are supported by the MDT – they investigate each case and provide services and support. That support may look different for every child and family who visit the CAC and is based on identified needs. Center staff communicate regularly and provide follow-up services to each child and family. Services include the completion of child and adolescent forensic interviews and victim advocacy services. Additional supports may include provision of tangible items (new bedding, sleepwear, clothes), referrals for medical and mental health services, participation in art therapy and support groups, education about the criminal justice system, court accompaniment, and many others.
With support from United Way and community donors, the CAC got its start in a retrofitted, three-room garage behind the Wilcox Building in Alma. However, much like Child Advocacy as a whole, the CAC quickly outgrew the space. Today, the Center fills up the core of the new Child Advocacy building. The new space has been instrumental in the ability of the CAC to absorb fluctuating caseloads - while the CAC averages 11 initial visits/forensic interviews each month, the number of interviews by month varies widely. Some months may only have one or two new children visit. In other months, the Center may welcome over 30 new children and their families. The ongoing caseload for CAC staff is currently 99 families.
The Children’s Advocacy Center operates as a result of state, federal, and local/private grants along with community donations. If you would like to learn more about how you can support the CAC, reach out to heather@childadvocacy.net or 989-463-1422.
Heather Therrien
CAC Program Director
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