About the Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC)
What Are Children's Advocacy Centers?
Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) are child-focused, facility-based programs designed to bring professionals together to respond to allegations of child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse. The CAC model began in Illinois in 1987 in DuPage County. In 1989, the Illinois Child Advocacy Center Act established requirements for the development and operation of Children’s Advocacy Centers throughout the state. Today, CACs bring together professionals from law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, victim advocacy, medical services, and mental health to coordinate the investigation, treatment, and support of children and families. Rather than requiring families to navigate multiple agencies on their own, the CAC provides a coordinated approach designed to reduce additional trauma and keep the needs of the child at the center
Core Components of the Champaign County CAC
The Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center is a fully accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance (NCA). NCA accreditation recognizes CACs that meet national standards for providing a comprehensive, culturally responsive, multidisciplinary response to allegations of child abuse in a dedicated, child-friendly setting. As an accredited CAC, our program is built around the following core components:
A Safe, Child-Friendly Environment
Children and families are served in a setting designed to be comfortable, private, and physically and emotionally safe.
A Multidisciplinary Team
The CAC coordinates professionals from law enforcement, DCFS, prosecution, medical and mental health services, victim advocacy, and the CAC.
Specially Trained Forensic Interviewers
Forensic interviews are conducted by specially trained professionals using neutral, fact-finding practices designed to reduce unnecessary
or duplicative interviews.
Medical Care
Children are connected with specialized medical evaluation and treatment when needed.
Mental Health Services
Children and families are connected with specialized mental health services as part of the multidisciplinary response.
Family Advocacy and Support
Victim advocacy and support are available throughout the investigation and, when applicable, the legal process.
Ongoing Team Collaboration
Professionals regularly communicate about case progress, investigations, and the needs of children and families.
Culturally Responsive Services
The CAC promotes practices that respect and respond to the diverse cultures and experiences of the families we serve.
Program Accountability
The CAC maintains systems for monitoring cases, tracking progress, and evaluating outcomes.
Strong Organizational Oversight
The CAC operates under an established organizational structure with appropriate administrative and fiscal oversight. These standards help
ensure that children and families receive a consistent, coordinated, and high-quality response when they need it most.
For more information about the National Children’s Alliance:
National Children’s Alliance
Governing Board
The Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center is supported by a Governing Board representing key agencies and professionals throughout
our community.
The Governing Board provides oversight and guidance for the CAC, promotes interdisciplinary communication and training, establishes
policies and procedures, and serves as a liaison among the agencies and professionals involved in the CAC's multidisciplinary response.
Governing Board Representatives
- Carle Clinic
- Champaign Police Department
- Champaign County Probation and Court Services Department
- Champaign County Sheriff’s Office
- Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office
- Champaign-Ford Counties Regional Office of Education
- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
- Illinois State Police
- Mahomet Police Department
- Mental Health Representative
- Rantoul Police Department
- University of Illinois Police Department
- Urbana Police Department
This collaboration strengthens the CAC's ability to provide a coordinated response to children and families throughout Champaign and Ford Counties.
How We Benefit the Community
The CAC brings agencies and professionals together to create a more coordinated, efficient, and child-centered response to abuse.
Fewer Interviews for Children
Coordinating the forensic interview helps reduce the number of times a child must repeat their experience to multiple professionals
More Coordinated Investigations
Professionals can communicate and share information more effectively, helping ensure that cases receive timely and coordinated attention.
Faster Access to Services
The CAC helps connect children and families with specialized medical care, mental health services, advocacy, and community resources.
Support for Families
Family advocacy helps non-offending caregivers understand the process, access resources, and support their children.
Stronger Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Professionals from multiple agencies work together rather than operating independently, helping keep the child's needs at the center of the response.
A Child-Focused Response
The CAC provides a safe, neutral environment specifically designed to reduce additional trauma and support children throughout the process.
Breaking the Cycle of Abuse - One Child At A Time
The Champaign County Children’s Advocacy Center began accepting cases in August 2000. For more than two decades, we have worked with
community partners to build a coordinated response to child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse.
Child abuse is a community issue, and preventing it requires all of us
.
Parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, faith communities, neighbors, friends, and extended family members all have
a role in recognizing concerns, supporting children, and speaking up when something is not right.
Support the CAC
The CAC receives state and federal grant funding, but community support helps us provide additional resources and services for children
and families.
Your support helps us continue our mission of protecting children, supporting families, and strengthening our community.
Together, we can break the cycle of abuse—one child at a time.
If you suspect abuse call your local police department, 911, or the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873)