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| Last updated on November 10, 2008 |
Collin County Children's Advocacy Center takes action to identify, protect and improve the lives of abused and neglected children.
Description:
In 1992, The Collin County Children's Advocacy Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit agency, opened its doors following a study conducted by the Plano Junior League identifying child abuse in Collin county as a problem surpassing violent crime, teen pregnancy and poverty. Since then, services have been delivered to more than 7,500 Collin County children and their families.
History:
The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) concept originated in Alabama in 1985, when Congressman Bud Cramer (then a District Attorney) recognized that many systems put in place to help children victimized by abuse were failing them. Children who made outcries of abuse were sent from place to place to tell and retell their story. These places included police departments, social services offices, hospitals and other facilities intended to serve adults rather then children. Often, after being shuttled from place to place, a child began to feel as though her/his story was not believed, or, she/he refused to tell the story because to tell it one more time, to one more stranger, was just too painful. Congressman Cramer's idea was to create a child friendly place where children could go to tell their story. Today, at a CAC, children traumatized by abuse can recount their story to a trained Forensic Interviewer, in a child friendly atmosphere, where the interview is videotaped. Rather than repeating the story as many as 10 or 12 times, children now repeat their story far fewer times. Currently, there are over 400 centers nation-wide, 48 of which are located in Texas. Although each center's precept is similar (provide a multi-disciplinary approach to investigating, treating and prosecuting child abuse), each center is independent and able to formulate its own vision based upon the needs of its community.
Since beginning, the CCCAC's program services have evolved to meet the needs of child abuse victims in our community. The Collin Country Children's Advocacy Center has revolutionized the way services are delivered. A Strategic Alliance has been shaped that works collaboratively to increase services and reach a greater number of children victimized by abuse. This alliance, housed under one roof, includes all of Collin County Child Protective Services, law enforcement representing 13 Collin County jurisdictions, member from the District Attorney?s office, medical sexual assault nurse examiners, therapy services and community resource representatives. In addition to these services, others housed at the Center include a family violence unit (created in conjunction with the Plano Police Department); a representative from the Collin County Rape Crisis Center and a representative from Plano Family Services.
This Strategic Alliance creates an opportunity for trained professionals to respond to 100% of Collin County children victimized by abuse. Our Center also dedicates itself to supporting clients whose needs are unique to services traditionally provided by CPS, law enforcement or therapy providers through its community resource program. This program works to connect families with needed community resources.
Statistics reflect that children making outcries of abuse who do not receive strong intervention are 67 times more likely to become juvenile offenders. We believe that by offering services to 100% of our children victimized by abuse, we are intervening, helping them to transition from victim into survivor. We believe we are making a difference in the lives of our children and in the life of our community.
Contact person: Joni Fleming, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 972-516-5766
Address:
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2205 Los Rios Blvd.
Plano, TX 75074
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.cacplano.org
Directions:
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From Central Expressway, go East on Park Boulevard to Los Rios Boulevard. Turn Right on Los Rios Boulevard. We are located at the corner of Park Boulevard and Los Rios Boulevard. MAPSCO 660Q. |
Volunteer Reflections
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Overall Experience 
One of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
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I volunteer at CCCAC and enjoy it more than you could imagine. Working with Joni is not only a joy, her dedication is contagious. She is young, energetic, just what an agency like this needs. She is flexible and fun, willing to make sure you get the most out of your volunteer experience. The children are amazing and I can't begin to explain how each one of them has changed my life.
posted on February 27, 2008 |
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