About UsOUR MISSION:
To reduce the impact of abuse and minimize secondary trauma to child victims.
WHAT IS A CAC?
A children's advocacy center is a comprehensive, child friendly facility that provides a multi-disciplinary team response to allegations of child abuse. It brings together members from law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy, to make team decisions regarding the management of child abuse cases. When working with child victims, the team utilizes a"child first "approach to ensure that children are not revictimized.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE CAC:
The Ocean County Child Advocacy Center is a ranch style house with a warm and welcoming nautical theme throughout the building. Our waiting rooms resemble living rooms and are equipped with televisions, toys, games and books.
A forensic interviewer and possibly other professionals involved in the case, will meet with you to explain the process and answer any questions you may have. While your child is being interviewed, an advocate may meet with you to provide emotional support, information about the justice system and referrals to counseling and services.
The interview takes place in a comfortable child friendly room that minimizes stress to the child and allows the interviewer to gather accurate information regarding the allegations. Forensic interviewers have specialized training in interviewing children. They are experienced in conducting interviews of children of all ages and will do so in a non-threatening, non -suggestive, developmentally appropriate manner.
Other Services Provided By The CAC May Include:
Medical exams by a Certified Forensic Nurse, mental health referrals, victim/witness advocacy, community outreach services and prevention programs.
Friends of the Advocacy Center
The friends of the Ocean County CAC are comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers who want to make a difference in their community by advocating for our most vulnerable citizens- our children. One of the primary missions of the Friends of the CAC is to obtain contributions for the center from local organizations. This much needed funding will enable Ocean County CAC to enhance and expand it's resources to better serve and protect the children within our community. The friends are currently committed to helping the CAC in it's mission to raise it's standards and ultimately obtain Associate Accreditation by the National Children's Alliance. For the Ocean County CAC, achieving accreditation by the National Children Alliance would mean:
- achieving a level of multidisciplinary collaboration and coordinated service delivery that significantly improves the experience and well being of children who are subject to child abuse investigations.
- becoming eligible for financial support through competitive and non-competetive,grants in NJ
- having access to nationwide information, technology and resources
Please consider donating to the Ocean County Child Advocacy Center. The Friends of the CAC are a 5OlC non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductable. To learn more about The Friends of The Advocacy Center Board Members, How to donate, What is on our wish list, and Who has donated thus far,
The Ocean County CAC and Friends of the Advocacy Center would like to extend a special thanks to Community Medical Center for being the first local organization to graciously donate much of the equipment needed for our medical exam room!
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