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What is a Children's Advocacy Center?

March 20, 2024

"To understand what a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is, you must understand what children face without one. Without a CAC, the child may end up having to tell the worst story of his or her life over and over again, to doctors, cops, lawyers, therapists, investigators, judges, and others. They may have to talk about that traumatic experience in a police station where they think they might be in trouble, or may be asked the wrong questions by a well-meaning teacher or other adult that could hurt the case against the abuser."

"When police or child protective services believe a child may be experiencing abuse, the child is brought to the CAC—a safe, child-focused environment—by a caregiver or other “safe” adult. At the CAC, the child tells their story once to a trained interviewer who knows the right questions to ask in a way that does not not retraumatize the child. Then, a team that includes medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health, prosecution, child protective services, victim advocacy, and other professionals make decisions together about how to help the child based on the interview. CACs offer therapy and medical exams, plus courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and other services. This is called the multidisciplinary team (MDT) response and is a core part of the work of CACs."

(National Children's Alliance, 2021)

Reference

National Children's Alliance. (2021, March 03). How the cac model works.

Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/cac-model/

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Hope Haven Says Thank You!

By Isabelle Hall • February 10, 2021

Hope Haven Children’s Advocacy Center would like to extend a huge thank you to the members of the community who supported our mission during this year’s winter campaign. “This year’s winter campaign was extremely successful, particularly given the difficulties of the past year. The funds raised go directly to providing important services to children who have been abused and also supports families in need throughout the community through some of the ongoing programs many citizens associate with Hope Haven”, says Hope Haven’s Executive Director, John James.

Omegle, what parents don't know

By Isabelle Hall • February 2, 2021

Parents have often heard, and used the term “stranger danger”, but do they know how to protect their children from strangers online? Omegle is a website, app, and now facebook program that advertises the ability to talk to strangers. The website was created in 2009, however, over the past year Omegle has been rising in popularity in the US. Children and adults alike are home and on the internet now more than ever due to COVID-19.

2020 "Be a Hero" Poster Contest

December 2, 2020

Hope Haven Children's Advocacy Center has named the winners of its 2020 "Be a Hero"; poster contest hosted for North Bay Elementary School students. The winners are fifth graders Deja Burge, Emma Snowden and Isaiah Hoyer and fourth grader Brandyn Williams.

501(c)3 Non Profit Organization

EIN: 64-0852491

Hope Haven

Address: PO Box 3777, Bay St. Louis, MS 39521

Hours: Monday - Thursday 8am-4:30pm, Friday 8am-12pm

Phone: +12284666395

Email: info@hopehavencac.org

HOW TO REPORT ABUSE

Hope Haven Children's Advocacy Center does not discriminate or refuse services on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.

This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, organization members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.

If you believe you have been unlawfully denied any services, employment opportunity, or otherwise discriminated against by an employer in violation of Title VII, you should contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC may be contacted by calling 1-800-669-4000 or 1-800-669-6820 (TTY).