Twin Cedars Child Advocacy Center, Inc. - Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc.

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Our Program

What We Do

We facilitate a forensic interview for victims of child abuse and offer free counseling for the child and non-offensive caregiver(s). We also provide advocacy for the child whenever they need us, and we walk with them all the way through court proceedings.

ChildAdvocacy_Alabama The CAC utilizes a nationally acclaimed, research and evidence-based, forensic interviewing model in which all interviews are conducted by trained forensic interviewers. The overarching goal is to minimize the trauma to child victims by avoiding multiple interviews with children. Interviews are conducted in a child-friendly environment by trained professionals in a manner that is legally sound. If a forensic medical exam is warranted the exam will be conducted on-site by a Pediatric or Adult/Adolescent Trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE).

Without effective therapeutic intervention, many traumatized children will suffer ongoing or long term adverse social, emotional, and developmental outcomes which may impact them throughout their lives. Providing evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy for all victims and/or non-offending caregivers is essential to reduce the impacts of trauma and minimize the risk of future abuse. Victim advocacy is also essential to linking victims with community-based resources to facilitate the healing process.

Program Purpose

To raise awareness so that all cases of child sexual and physical abuse in Lee and Macon counties can be reported, investigated, and treated.

To facilitate a multi-disciplinary team and coordinated systems approach to child abuse investigations which ensures that systems designed to protect children are able to do so effectively.

Who We Serve

We serve any sexually and severely physically abused children in Lee and Macon counties. We normally see both male and female clients from the ages 3-17.

Our Goals

Our goal is to facilitate and achieve healing and justice for sexually and physically abused children.

Our History

The Child Advocacy Center was established in 1991 and began offering services in 1993. The Center was created in response to the critical need for a child-friendly environment for alleged victims. In late 2012, Twin Cedars assumed operation of the center and remains committed to providing quality programming in accordance with Alabama guidelines. The center has a Board of Directors comprised of Alabama stakeholders.

Accreditation

The CAC is fully accredited through Alabama Network of Child Advocacy Centers (ANCAC). This accreditation ensures that evidence-based best practices are being met and that victims are served in the most effective child and family-focused systems response possible.

As part of Twin Cedars, the Children’s Advocacy Center is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).