Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard Earns Re-Accreditation From National Children’s Alliance

Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children’s Alliance

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard recently was awarded re-accreditation by National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process.

As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country, the National Children’s Alliance awards levels of accreditation and membership to centers whose mission it is to respond to allegations of child abuse.

Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service.

“Accredited CACs must undergo a re-accreditation process every five years to ensure that best practices are continually being applied,” said Jeanie Raciti, director of the Rockledge-headquartered agency.

“With accreditation standards being updated in 2015, re-accreditation this year reflects the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard’s commitment to providing evidence-based methods practice.”

Established in 1996 as a means to improve our community’s response to child abuse and neglect, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard (CACB) is a multi-agency collaboration of the Child Protection Team, the Florida Department of Children and Families, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and municipal law enforcement agencies, the Office of the State Attorney and mental health professionals.

“Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard is to be commended for its continued commitment to effectively serve victims of child abuse,” said Teresa Huizar, executive director of National Children’s Alliance.

“As the national association and accrediting body for Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country, our goal is to ensure that every victim of child abuse has access to high-quality services that result from professional collaboration.”

On the Space Coast, the CACB partners and staff often come face to face with the most egregious child abuse cases in Brevard County, including cases of child sexual and physical abuse, and neglect.

The CACB is designed to provide a safe place for child victims of abuse, a child-friendly environment where caring professionals coordinate child abuse investigations, complete forensic abuse assessments and provide specialized evidenced-based therapy to child abuse victims, their siblings and non-offending caregivers.

Last year, the CACB provided more than 1,400 child abuse assessments, including specialized and forensic interviews and medical examinations, over 6,000 clinical assessments and evidence-based mental health treatments that are proven to reduce trauma symptoms, case management, victim advocacy services, and more.

As an Accredited Member of National Children’s Alliance since 1998, the CACB 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.

Accredited Members must use 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.

“As an organization/team of individuals dedicated to responding to child abuse, we recognize the importance of maintaining Accredited status from National Children’s Alliance,” Raciti said.

“Re-accreditation not only validates our organization’s dedication to proven effective approaches of child abuse intervention and prevention, but also contributes to consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole.”

For more information about the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard, call 321-241-6610 or visit our website at www.cacbrevard.org – CACB tours are available by appointment.

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