To coordinate a timely multidisciplinary response to and provide comprehensive services for children in cases of suspected child abuse.
The center is available to assist with cases involving sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, witness to violence, Commercialization and Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and other cases in which law enforcement and Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) request our assistance.
Our Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) is committed to the reduction of secondary trauma to child victims of abuse during the investigative and prosecutorial process.
We work in collaboration with the dedicated professionals in law enforcement, social services, the District Attorney's Office, school system and the mental health and medical community, advocating for a child's right to be heard.
The Lighthouse CAC is a neutral and safe place for the evaluation of alleged child abuse. This includes sexual or physical abuse as well as severe neglect or child witness to violent crimes.
The Lighthouse enhances the response to suspected child abuse cases by providing forensic interviews as a component to a multi-disciplinary investigation. The goal of the forensic interview is to obtain statements from a child in an objective, developmentally sensitive, and legally defensible manner. Highly trained forensic interviewers on staff at Lighthouse CAC complete these interviews.
Our Clinical Coordinator is a Nurse that coordinates all forensic medical procedures and educates investigators regarding sexual assault and the community as a whole. All Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners are Registered Nurses and are forensically trained with pediatric experience.
Our Licensed Professional Counselor is trained specifically in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). TF-CBT and EMDR are evidence-based treatments for victims of trauma. Our counselor works closely with our MDT as well as the caregivers.
The Lighthouse CAC compiles and organizes all child abuse cases to be reviewed (new and follow-up cases) with all pertinent information for each agency on each case for the monthly Multi-Disciplinary Meeting.
A Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) is a safe place for the evaluation of alleged child abuse.
CACs enhance the response to suspected child abuse cases by combining the wisdom and professional knowledge of various investigative agencies and other professionals.
These coordinated efforts can provide the knowledge, skills, and resources to assist suspected child abuse victims and their families.