WHAT WE DO

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Restoring Hope

Experiencing a traumatic event or series of events can be devastating. In cases of sexual abuse, most often the perpetrator is someone the child knows and trusts. Abused children feel betrayed and live in fear that the abuse will happen again. Family members feel overwhelmed and helpless. Hopelessness and despair prevail.

Through the Center’s comprehensive programming, children have a voice in the investigative process, caregivers are empowered to better protect and nurture their children, and community members are educated to identify and report suspected abuse. CAC services give children and families hope and encouragement to grow from victims to thriving survivors.

All services are provided to children, siblings, and protective caregivers at no charge. Translators are available in Spanish and other languages.

Forensic Interviews

A forensic interview is a child’s recorded statement taken by an unbiased professional specially trained to speak with children at various age levels. CAC staff receive advanced training in the Prosecuting Attorney Association of Michigan’s protocol for effectively interviewing children. They regularly participate in peer review and professional development to continually develop their skills to ensure an optimal outcome.

Advocacy Services

CAC staff provide ongoing support, information and referral for families who have gone through the forensic interview process. The purpose is to help ensure families are connected to those individuals working on their case, are aware of available resources that might be of help to their family and have the information they need to help support their child throughout the legal process. The Family Advocate’s focus is to provide protective caregivers with immediate crisis intervention, ongoing case management, court assistance, and follow-up so caregivers have the support they need to take care of their child, their family and themselves.

Forensic Medical Exams

Through a collaboration with Munson Medical Center, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Michigan Medicine, children are referred to area medical services for child abuse and maltreatment concerns including physical and sexual abuse. All examinations are conducted in a child-friendly environment and oversight is provided by pediatricians who are board certified in child abuse or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs).

Mental Health Services

Upon recommendation from the multidisciplinary team, the CAC offers individual and family therapy to children, teens and their families so that they may process their experiences and begin healing from the abuse they have endured. Treatment is individualized to meet emotional, psychological and developmental needs. CAC staff are trained and experienced in cutting-edge best practices, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Play Therapy.

Community Education and Outreach

Committed to ending the cycle of abuse, the CAC offers free educational programs to groups from all sectors of the community. Our programs teach adults simple actions that can have far-reaching, positive effects for children. Children are offered online learning tools and schools are offered programs that inform students of the knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe. Presentations on trauma-informed communities, understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), mandated reporting, secondary trauma, resilience and mindfulness are also offered.

CTF Prevention Council

Our CAC facilitates the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund Prevention Council for Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties. Council members include organizations that are invested in the protection and well-being of children. The primary role of the Prevention Council is to strengthen the prevention work being done by each member organization and other community partners through coordination and collaboration. Every three years, the Prevention Council conducts a needs assessment to identify entities that are offering prevention education as well as the recipients of these services. Additionally, the Prevention Council organizes awareness activities to support Child Abuse Prevention Month every April.