If you suspect child abuse, please call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-392-3738 or contact your local law enforcement agency
Our mission is to facilitate a community-based collaborative effort to improve the system's response to allegations of child abuse and neglect by following the ChildFirst Doctrine
10,000 HandPrints
Every child served has the opportunity to place their handprint on a canvas that is displayed across the agency
A safe and trusting environment is vital for a child to openly share concerns about their possible abuse. Each facility is designed for kids. Staff are specially trained to communicate with children, limiting how many times children talk about the allegations.
Children First
Community collaboration
Children are referred by our multidisciplinary team members including Law Enforcement, Children's Division, Juvenile Office, and Prosecutor's Office. The CAC operates solely through grants, donations, and fundraisers.
The child is interviewed by a CAC forensic interviewer. The interview is viewed on a closed circuit television by the multidisciplinary team, and the recording is given to law enforcement as evidence on the child's behalf.
Safe Interviews
Advocacy
We help navigate the legal and social services systems, assist in identifying needs of the family, and provide access to community resources as the child, individuals involved, and the non-offending caregiver heal.
digitally recorded fact-finding interviews
sexual abuse forensic examinations
mental health Services
training and coordination of teams
case review and tracking
Community awareness and education
Child and Family advocacy
Crime Victims Advocacy
Benefits
- Restructure the interview process to meet the needs of the child
- Fewer interviews lead to less trauma to the child
- Collaborate between agencies involved in child abuse investigations
- Identify needed services for the child and family
- Provide mental health services for the child and family
- Provide coordination and collaboration of medical services
- Identify gaps in services and the investigation process
- Provide specialized training for staff and multidisciplinary teams
- Provide quality assurance through case review with all agencies involved
Child and Family Therapist Office
Child Interview Room
Child-Friendly Waiting area
A Problem That Affects Us All
At present, the counties served by the CAC and similar agencies across the nation are faced with this reality: many of our children are being abused.
Each year, the CAC and its multidisciplinary team members investigate numerous cases of suspected physical and sexual child abuse while providing services to children and their families.
WHo is involved
The CAC offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary intervention system involving agencies and the community.
- The Children’s Division
- The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
- Law Enforcement
- The Juvenile Office
- Medical Personnel
- Mental Health Professionals
- CAC Staff
- Community Volunteers
why are they involved
We are a part of a nationwide effort to reduce the trauma of abuse, so children are not re-victimized by the system designed to protect them.
In the past, victims seeking help faced multiple contacts with different community professionals, creating a maze of confusion for the child and family.
With the support of the community, the CAC enables the child to visit one location for safety, protection, and justice instead of going from agency to agency.
Locations
The CAC serves a ten-county region including Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Iron, Jefferson, Madison, Osage, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Washington counties out of three physical locations
Farmington Office
601 Maple Street
Farmington, MO 63640
573-756-4148
Festus Office
106 North Mill Street
Festus, MO 63028
636-586-1806
Union Office
14 South Washington Avenue
Union, MO 63084
636-584-0222
442 Forensic Interviews in 2021
889 Mental Health Sessions in 2021
Franklin County Prevention Program reached 5,165 students in 2021
Your generosity changes children's lives
Give financially or donate items
- Baby Wipes
- Batteries: Triple A & Double A
- Binder Machine
- Books (call for details)
- Bottled Water
- Canned Soft Drinks
- Canvas Boards
- CD/DVD Envelopes
- Children's Board Games
- Color Copier
- Coloring Books
- Crayons
- Diapers: Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6
- Digital Cameras
- DVD's (Disney, Looney Tunes, Dora, etc.)
- DVD's to record interviews (DVD-R, up to 16X, 4.7gb & 120min video)
- Flash Drive
- Folders: Two Pocket Folders
- General Office Supplies: paper, white out, labels (1"X2 5/8"), Sharpies, tape, staples, file folder white labels (3 3/16"X9/16"), 2" paper fastener bases (2 3/4" between prongs), post its, binder clips, and paper clips
- Hand Paint: Washable for hand print boards
- iPads
- Magazine Subscriptions
- Markers
- Medical Gowns for SAFE Room
- Plastic Storage Containers
- Projector Screen
- Projector
- Pull-Ups: Sizes 3, 4, 5, 6
- Snacks for Kids
The CAC is supported by financial gifts, grants, volunteer time and services, and donations of supplies. Donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.
Contact Us / Volunteer
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