Children’s Advocacy Center

The Central Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a safe pace for kids who may have been abused to tell their story. We bring together a team of specially trained professionals who evaluate and investigate cases of child abuse and help children and their families through this hard time.

The Forensic Interview is the heart of our work. The child victim will speak with an interviewer who has special training in the many dynamics of child abuse. The goal is to make each child as comfortable as possible while gathering information in a neutral, objective way. Interviews are videotaped in an effort to reduce the number of times the child has to talk about the abuse.

Medical Exam – An on-site medical exam room staffed with trained staff offers child sexual assault victims a medical exam that collects evidence and document trauma, if present. Most importantly, it is performed to reassure the child and family that his/her body is okay.

Please click here to schedule a time to tour center.

The Central Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center is a safe place for kids who may have been abused to tell their story. We bring together a team of specially trained professionals who evaluate and investigate cases of child abuse and help children and their families through this hard time.

By bringing together all the professionals under one roof we avoid re-traumatizing children who are already suffering from pain, fear, and confusion.

What happens when you arrive at the Children’s Advocacy Center?
The Children’s Advocacy Center is a place for the child victim to feel safe and supported. Upon arrival you will be welcomed into a child-friendly waiting room filled with books, toys, and a fish tank. A separate interview room is designed to make children feel comfortable.

What happens during the interview?
The Forensic Interview is the heart of our work. The child victim will speak with an interviewer who has special training in the many dynamics of child abuse. The goal is to make each child as comfortable as possible while gathering information in a neutral, objective way.

The interview is one-on-one; however, law enforcement and representatives from Child Services may watch the interview via closed circuit television. Interviews are videotaped in an effort to reduce the number of times the child has to talk about the abuse.

It is important to recognize that at the Children’s Advocacy Center the child victim is being interviewed, not interrogated. The child is the victim and is not in trouble.

What happens after the interview?
The Children’s Advocacy Center provides crisis intervention, support services, and case management for children and their families. We offer an on-site medical clinic staffed by professionals who are specially trained to treat victims of sexual assault. Professional counseling is available to children and non-offending family members that can help you and your child get through this difficult time.

What to tell a child about visiting the Children’s Advocacy Center?
A child may be nervous or worried about what will take place during their visit. It is okay to tell the child they will be going to someplace special where they can talk openly about their feelings. It is okay to tell the child that the people at the Children’s Advocacy Center are there to listen to them and that they want to make sure that the child is safe.

Our Team Approach
A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is the key to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Professionals from a variety of agencies – child protection workers, law enforcement officers, mental health providers, advocates, and prosecutors – join forces to ensure child victims are receiving the essential services, referrals, as well as tracking the progress of the criminal case.

We believe no single agency has the necessary skills, knowledge, or resources to provide the assistance needed by abused children and their families.

Click here to schedule a tour of our center

CASA 20th

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the 20^th Judicial District recruits and trains local advocates to stand up for abused and neglected children. They represent the child’s best interests in court, and help them find safe, permanent homes.

The CASA Advocate provides consistency and stability in a time of turmoil. A CASA Advocate is more than a volunteer – they complete 30 hours of training and become a sworn officer of the court.

When a CASA is appointed a case, they explore the child’s background and assess their situation to make objective recommendations to the court. The child may be placed with parents, relatives, foster care, or available for permanent adoption. A CASA stays with a case until the child is in a safe, permanent home.

Please click here to learn about becoming an advocate

Together, these programs protect children from further harm and restore hope to their lives.

CASA of the 20th Judicial District serves abused and neglected children in Faulkner, Van Buren & Searcy counties.

Our Mission is to provide a voice in court for and on behalf of abused and neglected children who might otherwise have no voice for placement in a safe, permanent home.

We accomplish this mission by recruiting, screening, training and supervising volunteers to work within the court system as “officers of the court” on behalf of these children. CASA volunteers become the “eyes and ears” for the judge and help ensure that the child makes it to a safe, permanent home and does not become lost in the court system.

The CASA Impact makes a lifelong difference for a child. It is the CASA volunteer’s duty to focus on the child’s best interests and express the child’s needs and wishes to the judge.

A CASA volunteer is appointed to only one case at a time. The focus and attention they can show the child means they often become the most important and constant person in that child’s life. By simply listening, encouraging and speaking up for the child, CASA volunteers help the child to feel cared about and able to reach their full potential.

The CASA Way of communicating with the social workers, foster parents, family, teachers, and most importantly, the child allows the advocate to provide the judge with comprehensive information that helps in providing a focused, personal and heartfelt understanding of what is in the best interest of the child. A CASA volunteer can be the difference between success and failure in a child’s life.

How do CACs and forensic interviewing help kids? 

The forensic interview is the heart of our work. The goal is to make each child as comfortable as possible while gathering information in a neutral, objective way.

CASA Advocate

In a time of turmoil, CASA advocates provide consistency and stability. A CASA advocate is more than a volunteer – they complete 30 hours of training and become a sworn officer of the court.

A CASA VOLUNTEER IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO:

• Is at least 21 years old.
• Successfully passes screening, background checks and a personal interview prior to starting training.
• Has strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Is able to commit 15 hours each month.
• Is willing to travel within the state depending upon child placement.
• Successfully completes 33 hours of initial training provided by the CASA program. Any sessions missed must be made up before the applicant is assigned to case.
• Is able to keep information confidential and can work within established program guidelines.
• Respects a child’s inherent right to grow up with dignity in a safe and nurturing environment.

A CASA VOLUNTEER MUST:

• Have the ability to keep all information confidential.
• Be able to deal with hostility, anger, and other emotional attitudes.
• Be able to communicate effectively and relate to people from various backgrounds in a variety of settings.
• Be able to maintain objectivity.
• Maintain professionalism in behavior and appearance.
• Be willing to report any incidents of child abuse or neglect.

A CASA VOLUNTEER’S RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Maintaining written records about the case.
• Interviewing all parties involved in the case, including the child.
• Remaining actively involved until the case is closed and no other services are needed.
• Providing the CASA office with a court report 10 business days prior to all court proceedings.
• Attend 12 hours of continuing education each year. Provided through monthly CASA In Service Programs.
• Make visits to the child at a minimum of once per month.
• Participate in the child’s planning and treatment program and ensure that essential needs are being met at all times.

What is a CASA Volunteer?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interest of an abused and neglected child in court.

What is the CASA volunteer’s role?
A CASA volunteer provides the judge with carefully researched information about the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child’s future. The CASA volunteer makes recommendations about placement to the judge and follows through until the child reaches a safe, permanent home.

How does a CASA volunteer investigate a case?
To prepare a recommendation, the CASA volunteer talks with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers, and others who are knowledgeable about the child. The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child- school, medical and case worker reports and other documents.

How does the CASA volunteer relate to the child he or she represents?
CASA volunteers offer children trust and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. They explain to the child the events that are happening, the reasons they are in court, and the roles of the judge, lawyers, and social workers. CASA volunteers also encourage the child to express his or her own opinion and hopes, while remaining objective observers.

How many cases on average does a CASA volunteer carry at one time?
Volunteers can carry up to a maximum of two cases.

How much time does being a CASA volunteer require?
After thirty hours of initial training, volunteers typically work about 10-15 hours a month.

How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved in the case?
The volunteer continues until the case is permanently resolved.

What children are assigned CASA volunteers?
Children who are victims of abuse and neglect who have become wards of the court are assigned CASA volunteers.

Click here to download a complete advocate application packet