Family Crisis Center, Inc.’s Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center has been awarded accreditation by National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process. As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) across the country, National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.
The Dell Hayden Memorial Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a program of the Family Crisis Center, Inc. Named in memory of the agency’s first director, the CAC was developed to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to child abuse investigation. Working as a true collaboration, children and their non-offending caregivers receive a more comprehensive approach to their case while receiving advocacy and supportive services to address the trauma associated with child abuse.
During the first 2 years, 240 children were interviewed, 60 children received forensic and/or medical exams, 190 children were referred and received mental health services and 310 non-offending caregivers received support and advocacy. As an Accredited Member of National Children’s Alliance, the CAC is dedicated to providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse.
National Children’s Alliance awards Accredited Membership based on a CAC’s compliance with 10 national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims.
National Children’s Alliance updated these standards in 2010 to reflect the most recent evidence-based practices in the field of child abuse intervention and prevention. According to these standards, Accredited Members must utilize a functioning and effective Multidisciplinary Team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution, and treatment. National Children’s Alliance also considers standards regarding a center’s cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and child focused setting.
“I am so thankful for the professionals that have come together to make a difference in the lives of children. As an organization of individuals dedicated to responding to child abuse, we recognize the importance of accreditation from National Children’s Alliance and supporting the Multidisciplinary Team approach. Accreditation not only validates our organization’s proven effective approach to responding to allegations of child abuse, but also provides consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole,” said Laura Patzner, executive director.