What We Do
Our Work
WVCAN provides statewide guidance and support for the fight against child abuse. We work side-by-side with the 21 child advocacy centers (CACs) throughout West Virginia.
Partnering With Child Advocacy Centers
We promote community awareness and advocate for a trusted model that places the child’s wellbeing at the heart of abuse investigations. CACs enable child protection, criminal justice, and child treatment professionals to conduct their work in one safe, child-friendly facility that aims to protect children from further trauma.
We provide training and technical assistance to our centers, help them evaluate and assess their services to children and families, and acquire funding to ensure our CACs are well-equipped to help children heal.
Our CACs Help, Guide, and Protect Child Victims of Abuse and Their Families
Our centers support and coordinate the efforts of a team of professionals consisting of:
- law enforcement investigators
- prosecutors
- child protective service workers
- medical professionals
- mental health professionals
- victim advocates
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 child. This innovative, multidisciplinary approach significantly increases the likelihood of a successful outcome in court and long-term healing for the victim. Kids can go on to live full, rich, and fulfilling lives, and our centers help them get there.
How Does the
CAC Model Work?
