Childrens Advocacy Center Of Sw Florida Inc

SINCE 1981, CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, INC. (CAC) HAS ADVOCATED FOR A HEALTHY, SAFE COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN THROUGH A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH TO CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A COORDINATED RESPONSE TO CHILD VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF AT-RISK CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH PREVENTION SERVICES. THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA OFFERS ABUSE DETERMINATION SERVICES, THERAPEUTIC COUNSELING, PARENTING EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, PET THERAPY, AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN LEE COUNTY. ABUSE DETERMINATION SERVICES AND THERAPEUTIC COUNSELING ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN HENDRY, GLADES, AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES. CAC IS THE ONLY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER IN THE FOUR-COUNTY AREA. CAC IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE, AND ONE OF THE LARGEST CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

THE CHILD PROTECTION TEAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED, OR ARE SUSPECTED OF BEING ABUSED OR NEGLECTED. SERVICES INCLUDE MEDICAL EXAMS, FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, PYSCHOLOGICALS, PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENTS, CASE COORDINATION AND EXPERT COURT TESTIMONY. THESE SERVICES ARE AVALIABLE 24 HOURS A DAY/SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FREE OF CHARGE. CHILDREN ARE REFERRED BY DEPARTMENT OF CHILDERN AND FAMILIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE FAMILY ALLIANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR NEGLECTED, HAVE WITNESSED OR EXPERIENCED FAMILY VIOLENCE, OR HAVE WITNESSED A VIOLENT CRIME OR HOMICIDE. TREATMENT OPTIONS INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY THERAPY. THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO ASSIST CLIENTS IN OVERCOMING ABUSE-RELATED BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES AND TO HELP CLIENTS DEVELOP EFFECTIVE COPING SKILLS, HEALTHY SOCIALIZAITON SKILLS, AND SAFETY PLANNING SKILLS. SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE RECEIVING TREATMENT. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY ARE ALSO OFFERED TO ADULT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.

THE PARENTING PROGRAM IS A PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE. IT CONSISTS OF WEEKLY CLASSES IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND CREOLE. THE CLASSES ARE OFFERED TO FAMILIES INVOLVED IN THE DEPENDENCY SYSTEM AS WELL AS THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY LOOKING TO ENHANCE AND IMPROVE THEIR PARENTING ROLES. THE PROGRAM IS BASED ON THE EVIDENCE BASED CURRICULUM "NUTURING PARENTING PROGRAM". FREE CHILDCARE IS PROVIDED DURING CLASS. THE PINE MANOR AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM IS A PREVENTION PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES CURRICULUM-BASED ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-12 WHO RESIDE IN PINE MANOR. THE GOALS ARE TO KEEP CLIENTS SAFE AND HELP THEM REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY TEACHING THEM LITERACY SKILLS, SOCIAL SKILLS, AND CHARACTER BUILDING SKILLS. EAST UNITED WAY HOUSE IS A MULTI-AGENCY OUTREACH CENTER OFFERING SOCIAL SERVICES WHICH REFLECT THE NEEDS OF THE EAST FORT MYERS COMMUNITY. THE MISSION OF EAST HOUSE IS TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES BY COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO EMPOWER LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. EAST OPERATES PRIMARILY WITH THE HELP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH APPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, TRANSLATIONS, AND A VARIETY OF OTHER SERVICES. VOLUNTEERS ALSO INCLUDE DOG HANDLERS FOR OUR PET THERAPY PROGRAM. BEESLEY'S PAW PRINTS THERAPY PROGRAM PROVIDES PUPPY LOBBY GREETERS, AND THERAPY DOGS IN INDIVIDUAL/GROUP SESSIONS AT THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER AND AT VARIOUS PARTNER LOCATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES PET THERAPY DOGS AT THE COURTHOUSE OF THE TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. EACH OF OUR VOLUNTEER TEAMS OF HANDLERS/DOGS ARE REGISTERED AND INSURED THROUGH EITHER ALLIANCE OF THERAPY DOGS, THERAPY DOGS, INC., OR PET PARTNERS. FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM PROVIDES ON-GOING SUPPORT TO CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR NON-OFFENDING FAMILY MEMBERS. ADVOCATES ARE OFTEN WITH THE FAMILY THROUGHOUT THE CASE, PROVIDING SERVICES DURING THE INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION AND BEYOND. SERVICES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: SAFETY PLANNING, ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS AND CRIME COMPENSATION, ASSISTANCE IN LINKING/REFERRING TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND TRAUMA FOCUSED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, PARTICIPATION IN CASE REVIEW, ENSURING THE SEAMLESS COORDINATION OF SERVICES, PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING CASE STATUS AND COURT EDUCATION, AND FACILITATING COURTROOM TOURS.