OUR SERVICES & PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
In 2021, the CACCB presented to more than 4,000 children and adults, at the request of communities throughout the 12-county area we serve. We truly believe that education is a critical step toward providing the essential tools to effectively recognize, report and become everyday advocates in the fight against child abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and neglect).
The outreach & education we offer includes:
Participation at Community Health Fairs and Events
Educational materials specific to parents, educators and school personnel, medical teams, law enforcement, Child Protective Services, children ages 3 and up.
Presentations:
“P.S. It’s My Body” – (welcome and unwelcome touches) safety presentations with Happy Bear for children ages PK through second grade.
About Us/Community Presentations – information about the CAC, the services we provide and the role we play in child abuse investigations.
How to Recognize and Report Abuse – education about the signs of abuse and how to report.
Internet safety – education for children and adults, as well as parents/guardians about online safety, cyberbullying, sexting, etc.
Please contact Ashley Arevalo, Outreach & Marketing Coordinator,
at (361) 855-9058 or by email at ashleya@caccb.net to request a presentation;
or if you would like more information about our presentations.
ON-SITE THERAPY
The CACCB is committed to providing a safe place for children to begin the healing process after they have experienced abuse. Without Therapy, child victims of sexual abuse are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, exhibit poor school performance, become sexually promiscuous, abuse drugs and alcohol, and in some instances, act out their abuse on other children. CACCB's therapy team provides long-term, trauma-informed therapy to children of every age. This type of specialized treatment has been rated Best Practice for use with abused and traumatized children.
Since child abuse affects the whole family, the services provided at CACCB are available at no cost to every child and their non-offending family members. CACCB's Therapy team works with each family to determine the best treatment options.
If you are interested in our on-site Therapy Program, please contact our Clinical Director, Vanessa Lopez, LPC, at vanessal@caccb.net.
FORENSIC INTERVIEW
Successful prosecution of child abuse cases begin with a thorough investigation.
At the core of that investigation, the ability to ensure the safety and protection of children, often starts with the initial forensic interview conducted by a trained professional. The CACCB Forensic Interview team assists law enforcement and Child Protective Services investigators by conducting specialized and unique investigative interviews of children. The goal of a forensic interview is to gather pertinent information from children in a neutral, non-leading, developmentally sensitive, and legally defensible manner. The CACCB Forensic Interviewers are often called upon to provide both fact and expert witness testimony to aid in successful prosecution of offenders.
FAMILY ADVOCACY
The Family Advocate team is committed to helping each family navigate the complex systems that a family enters when a child makes an outcry of abuse. As each case goes through the investigation, prosecution and healing process, the team is there to help the family understand the process, learn about their rights, and successfully access resources that will help their family during crisis.
Clients receive information and referrals to community resources and assistance completing applications for Crime Victims Compensation. Families also receive ongoing support through a back to school drive, and holiday programs.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM ENHANCMENT
A Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) is a team of professionals who represent various disciplines and work collaboratively to assure the most effective case response for every child. MDT Case Review provides a unique platform for the MDT to coordinate case information, explore case issues, case concerns and case barriers all while maintaining and respecting the obligations of each partner agency’s specific mandates. Effective MDT Case Review reduces re-victimization to the children we serve and improves the overall case response. When MDT partners utilize a child focused environment, such as the CACCB, children are likely to experience less anxiety, fewer interviews, increased support and more appropriate and timely referrals for beneficial services.
TEEN SUPPORT GROUP
The CACCB facilitates a Teen Survivor Group for teenagers aged 14 -17 years old, who have experienced sexual abuse. The purpose of the Support Group is to provide them with a safe place to learn and practice coping skills that they can apply in their daily lives with the help of their peers. It is also aimed towards helping these teens learn to successfully handle everyday situations that they may encounter. The program runs for 8 weeks at a time to allow the participants an opportunity to learn and practice a new skill each week including internet safety, self-empowerment, healthy relationships, and goal setting.
If your teen is interested in our Teen Survivor Group Program, and meets the criteria, please email Vanessa Lopez, LPC, at vanessal@caccb.net.
