Lighthouse CAC

Our Mission

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 Commitment

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.

Contacts

Amy Boney
Director
Amy Boney

E-mail
Shaquita Fanning
Forensic Interviewer/Advocate
Shaquita Fanning

E-mail
Rebecca Ferguson
LMFT Therapist
Rebecca Ferguson

E-mail
Nikki Still
SANE Coordinator
Nikki Still

E-mail

What We Do

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.


Partners

The following agency partners support the CAC model and contribute to the success of the multidisciplinary team in the Southwestern Judicial Circuit (SWJC)
  • Southwestern Judicial Circuit Superior Court
  • Southwestern Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court
  • Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office
  • SOWEGA CASA, Inc.
  • Georgia Bureau of Investigation
  • Southwestern Judicial Circuit Victim Witness Assistance Program
  • Southwestern Department of Juvenile Justice
  • Truancy Prevention Program
  • Family Violence Council
  • Children in Need of Services (CHINS)
  • Lighthouse CAC Mental Health
  • Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance SANE
  • Lighthouse CAC
  • Lee County DFCS
  • Lee County Coroner’s Office
  • Lee County Sheriff’s Office
  • Leesburg Police Department
  • Lee Public Health Department
  • Macon County DFCS
  • Macon County Sheriff’s Office
  • City of Oglethorpe Police Department
  • Macon County Coroner
  • City of Montezuma Police Department
  • Macon Public Health Department
  • Schley County Sheriff’s Office
  • City of Ellaville Police Department
  • Schley County Public Health Department
  • Schley County Coroner
  • Schley County DFCS
  • Sumter County Magistrate Court
  • Sumter County Coroner
  • Sumter County DFCS
  • Sumter County Public Health
  • Sumter County Sheriff’s Office
  • City of Americus Police Department
  • Stewart County DFCS
  • Stewart County Sheriff’s Office
  • Stewart County Public Health
  • Stewart County Coroner
  • Richland Police Department
  • Lumpkin Police Department
  • Middle Flint Behavioral Health
  • Webster County Sheriff’s Office
  • Webster County Public Health Department
  • Webster County DFCS
  • Webster County Coroner
  • Lee County School Board
  • Macon County Board of Education
  • Schley County Board of Education
  • Sumter County Board of Education
  • Stewart County Board of Education
  • Webster County Board of Education

What is CAC?

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.


What We Offer

  • Forensic Interviewers, trained by the experts through the National Child Advocacy Center and Child First of Georgia (24 hour on-call service) referred by Law Enforcement and Departments of Family and Children Services
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Trauma Focused Counseling
  • Forensic Medical services
  • Parent education, support groups, court advocacy, criminal justice support/advocacy, behavior modification, prevention workshops
  • Child friendly environment
  • Organized tracking and follow up on all Southwestern Judicial Circuit Child Abuse Cases
  • Free expert testimony for all substantiated child abuse cases in criminal court

How You Can Help

Comfort Bag for Children Wish List
Young Children (ages 3-9)
  • Activity Books
  • Crayons
  • Coloring Books
  • Colored Pencils
  • Diaries
  • Girls Jewelry
  • Pencils (mechanical, untraditional)
  • Puzzle Books (Word, Sudoku)
  • Storybooks
  • Travel Games (Magnetic ones are great!)
  • Card Games (Uno, Old Maid)
  • Silly Bands
  • Small Toy Cars and Trucks
  • Small Dolls/Barbie Dolls
  • Toiletry Items (lip balm, lip gloss, comb, brush, small deodorant, etc…)
Older Children (ages 10-17)
  • Card Games (Uno, Old Maid)
  • Diaries
  • “Door” Basketball Hoop
  • Jewelry (ex.-Claire’s)
  • Nerf Footballs (small)
  • Pencils (mechanical, untraditional)
  • Storybooks
  • Travel Games (Magnetic ones are great! Chess Sets, Checker’s)
  • Silly Bands
  • Small Toy Cars and Trucks
  • Small Dolls/Barbie Dolls
  • Toiletry Items (Lip balm, lip gloss, comb, brush, small deodorant, etc…)
  • Small Pencil Sharpeners
  • Sudoku Puzzles
  • Word Search Puzzle
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