The
Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County is dedicated to child victims
of physical and sexual abuse and strives to reduce trauma through a unified
effort that facilitates thorough investigations, effective prosecutions
and the healing of the children and their families.
From 1996 through 2007, the Children’s Advocacy Center has coordinated
and investigated 4,717 cases of alleged child abuse and provided services
for 6,686 children and counseling for 851 children.
History
In 1994, concerned community members began to discuss the development of
a child abuse program in Smith County. A steering committee formed of law
enforcement, Child Protective Services, the Smith County District
Attorney’s Office, the medical and mental health communities,
and the East Texas Crisis Center began meeting to develop plans for the
program. The program was named the Child Abuse Intervention
Program and was a part of the East Texas Crisis Center. In January 1999, the Children’s
Advocacy Center received it’s 501(c)(3) letter from the Internal
Revenue Service and became completely separate from the East Texas Crisis
Center.
The CAC brings children together with law enforcement and Child Protective
Services investigators, prosecutors, therapists, volunteers and medical
personnel in one safe, child friendly place where the children tell their
stories only once.
The CAC is located at 2210 Frankston Hwy in Tyler, Texas in a 8,250 square
foot building. In 2003, the building was graciously paid for by an anonymous
donor. The building is in need of expansion and renovation. The
CAC is currently involved in a capital campaign to raise the funds.
There are currently 63 centers in Texas. The Children’s Advocacy
Center of Smith County is a member of Children’s Advocacy Centers
of Texas, Inc., an accredited member of the National Children’s
Alliance and a United Way agency.
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