Children’s Advocacy Center of Lowndes County, Inc. By: Meg Giddings

CAC Mission The Children’s Advocacy Center of Lowndes County, Inc. (CAC) is a private, nonprofit organization which seeks to minimize trauma experienced by child victims of physical and/or sexual abuse and their non-offending family members. Using a multi-disciplinary team, the CAC partners with law enforcement, child protective services, the office of the district attorney, a local pediatrician, and mental health providers to increase successful prosecution of child abuse cases utilizing forensic interviews and court preparation for victims. The CAC seeks to address client needs through therapy services and support groups, provided in a child-friendly environment. Additionally, the CAC will serve as an educational resource for the community on child abuse and child abuse-related issues. (Source: CAC Board of Directors Handbook, 1997)

A Brief History 1995 – In Lowndes County, there were 300 cases of child abuse investigated by law enforcement. Out of the 300, there were only 3 convictions. A group of concerned professionals formed a Task Force to evaluate need for a CAC in the community 1997 – Based on Task Force findings, the CAC opened its doors with one employee

History Continued First facility was leased to the CAC by the county commission for $1.00 per year. Over the past 8 years, the CAC has grown to four employees including an executive director, case manager, therapist, and office manager October 2004 – CAC purchased new facility June 2005 – Became an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance (NCA)

Who is eligible for services? Any child who has been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse Child must be 17 or younger No lower age cutoff exists, but child must be verbal and able to participate in counseling to some extent Must be a resident of Lowndes, Berrien, Brooks, Lanier, or Echols county Non-offending family members of an abused child are eligible as well

Who are our clients? Children are referred by Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), law enforcement, schools, mental health professionals, local social service agencies, and physicians Must have a history of being an abuse victim or abuse must be suspected

Services Provided 1)Forensic Interviews 2)Therapy 3)Support Groups 4)Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Review 5)Court Preparation

Forensic Interview A videotaped interview conducted with a child by a specially trained and certified interviewer, designed to obtain a detailed account of possible abuse. Activities conducted during an interview include identifying family members, names for body parts, describing the event(s), use of anatomical dolls The tape may be submitted as evidence in criminal proceedings Representatives from law enforcement, DFCS, and the DA’s office are present, watching the interview via a closed circuit TV system Interviews may only be scheduled by law enforcement or DFCS

Forensic Interview Statistics 2004 Total Children Interviewed: 155 –Females: 118 –Males: 37 The CAC’s average client is an 11-year-old, middle-class, Caucasian female Approximately 90% of CAC clients were victims of sexual abuse

Therapy Provided by one of 2 licensed professionals on staff, one Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Individual and family counseling are provided Goals of therapy include addressing issues associated with abuse incident including but not limited to, behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and guilt A variety of approaches to therapy are utilized depending on age of client and relevant issues

Support Groups Provided for 10 weeks in the fall and spring Provide a Pre-Teen Girls’ Group, Teen Girls’ Group, Boys’ Group, and a Parents’ Group Topics covered include self-esteem, healthy relationships, sexual responsibility

Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Review Meets twice per month Consists of law enforcement, DFCS, the office of the District Attorney, and a local pediatrician Open cases are discussed and reviewed. Provides an opportunity for collaboration and sharing of information between parties. Team partnership is based on a protocol agreement between agencies

Court Preparation Work with children to prepare for challenges they may face in the courtroom such as cross examination and techniques for facing their abuser

Community Education/Outreach Volunteer training is conducted quarterly Public presentations conducted regularly for local organizations and at other public events Provide informational handouts and statistical data to the community The nature of CAC work limits direct community involvement

Volunteer Program Client confidentiality is an important issue and limits regular volunteer involvement. –Volunteer involvement is generally limited to staffing booths at events and assistance with fundraisers –To qualify for the volunteer program, volunteers must pass a criminal background check, fingerprints on file with law enforcement Limits volunteer numbers and growth because so few opportunities to volunteer exist – therefore volunteer training is viewed as another method of community outreach and education

Administrative Structure Has a 30 member Board of Directors comprised of local professionals and community representatives Board Committees include: Personnel, Building and Grounds, Grants, Fundraising, etc. All Board members are volunteers

Financial Status CAC is a private, nonprofit organization with 501-C(3) status –The CAC is tax-exempt –All donations given to the CAC are tax- deductible for the giver

CAC Budget Annual budget is approximately $169,000 2 primary sources of funding: –Competitive grants – have 4 major grants supplemented by several smaller grants –Community Donations Capital Campaign – revenues to go towards paying off the mortgage and renovations on the new facility General Donations – received from individuals and organizations in the community – unless otherwise specified these go towards general operations – therapy supplies, office supplies, etc. Fundraisers – two primary, the Skeet Shoot (put on by the CAC) and the Bowling Tournament (put on each year by community supporters – funds go towards daily operations as well

Development Has been significant growth in past 8 years Gone from 1 to 4 employees Initially budget relied on only 2 grants Have increased training level of staff Built a strong reputation in the community and within the region Affiliated with: –National Children’s Alliance (Accredited Member) –United Way –Promoting Safe and Stable Families –Georgia Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers Has served as a model and mentoring agency for developing CAC’s

Community Involvement December 2004 kicked-off the Capital Campaign to raise funds to pay off the mortgage –Donors at different levels have had the opportunity to name rooms and potentially the house. –Capital Campaign has significantly increased Capital Campaign donors as well as general operations donors are designated to a particular category based on amount donated, called Carebear Giving Levels –Example: Platinum Bears, Emerald Bear, Diamond Bear, Gold Bear, Silver Bear, Bronze Bear The CAC does not offer membership at this point in time.

Current Challenges Organizational growth is creating a need for additional staff members –Creates a need for additional funding The purchase of a new facility has added the expense of a mortgage which previously was not figured into the budget Participation of the Multi-Disciplinary Team is lacking, and has required a significant amount of attention on the part of the executive director –MDT is a partnership and participation by other agencies is not required, but rather included in a protocol agreement

Current Challenges cont. Agency is working to modernize technology in order to stay current and competitive Marketing techniques could most likely be improved and more highly structured Challenges associated with “flaws” in the criminal justice system are significant and impact an agency serving as a mediator between agencies

Where does the CAC go from here? The future will require expansion with the addition of at least one new staff member The CAC hopes to continue to restructure the budget and to utilized fundraising resources to pay off the mortgage on the house, and to make the necessary renovations on the 75 year old residential home that currently houses the CAC

Where does the CAC go from here? The CAC will need to create and implement a strategic marketing campaign. Clients are referred, however name recognition among donors is very important due to the competition with other nonprofits in the community. –By maintaining an effective marketing plan, the agency can help to restructure the financial standing of the center.