Children's Advocacy Centers of California (a program of CALICO) Information

Children’s Advocacy Centers of California (CACC) is a membership organization dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient – and put the needs of child victims first. CACC provides training, support, technical assistance and leadership on a statewide level to local child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams throughout California responding to reports of child abuse and neglect. A children's advocacy center (CAC) is a child-friendly facility in which law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy professionals work together to investigate abuse, help children heal from abuse, and hold offenders accountable. In the neutral setting of the CAC, team members can collaborate on strategies that will aid investigators and prosecutors without causing further harm to the victim. This innovative approach significantly increases the likelihood of a successful outcome in court and long-term healing for the child. Kids can go on to live full and rich lives, and child advocacy centers help them get there. CACC believes all children in California have the right to receive equal quality of services if they have been abused. Therefore, CACC's goal is to promote the development of CACs across California so that one day every child in this state will have access to a CAC. CACC is a program of CALICO and an accredited chapter of the National Children’s Alliance.