The Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County is the leading resource to empower and heal abused children and prevent violence against children. We serve 38 communities in the Cook County area and see over 800 children and their families each year.
COORDINATION, ADVOCACY AND SENSITIVE INTERVIEWING (CASI)
The goal of CAC's CASI program is to reduce further trauma for child victims of abuse and hold offenders accountable to their actions. Prior to the existence of Children's Advocacy Centers, children were expected to retell their story of abuse over and over again to the very professionals that were trying to help them.
Family Support Services (FSS)
When a child suffers abuse, they aren't the only one who is hurting. We offer services to families when an allegation of abuse has been investigated and the risk to the child (or children) is not enough to warrant protective placement or intact family services through the DCFS.
Crisis Intervention
Immediate assistance is available for families experiencing major stressors associated with sexual abuse including risk of suicide, violence or running away. The goal is to help stabilize the situation and provide information, support and necessary referrals.
Group Intervention
Group intervention can help child survivors learn healthy coping skills and normalize their experiences. Survivor support groups may provide an educational component. All groups are age appropriate.
Short Term Counseling
When appropriate, CAC provides families with short term counseling options. Individual assessment of cases is done before treatment can begin. Sessions may range from a one-time visit to one hour a week for several months.
Parent Support Group
A variety of emotions (grief, shame, anger) may be felt in the aftermath of child sexual abuse disclosure. Parents and non-offending caregivers are encouraged to participate in CAC's Parent Support Group to receive support from peers. A licensed social worker or licensed professional counselor helps facilitate the group and provides education as needed.
Child Sexual Abuse Assessments
An assessment is done when a child has NOT participated in a forensic interview or has NOT made an abuse disclosure. Assessments are conducted when there is reason to suspect (due to behavioral indicators) that sexual abuse may have occurred.
Case Management
Additional services offered through case management include referrals to community resources and home visits when appropriate.
Court Advocacy
If and when child abuse cases are brought to the court system, a member of CAC's clinical team will be available to assist children and families through this difficult process.
SAFE FROM THE START (SFTS)
CAC, as the lead agency for a coalition of more than 25 agencies and organizations, has implemented this program that currently serves residents in the northwest suburban area of Cook County. Safe from the Start is staffed by five Masters-level therapists, all of whom have participated in the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) 40-hour training program. A wide variety of programs are offered through the SFTS including:
Case management
Short and long-term parent/child therapy
Play therapy / art therapy
Family therapy
Group therapy
Individual therapy
Art therapy group for survivors of domestic violence
Parent education groups and seminars
Presentations for professionals in the field
Confidential consultation for professionals
All services are offered in English and Spanish and are free of charge.
This is a nonprofit organization.
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?