Organization Profile
Center for Alexandria's Children
http://www.centerforalexandriaschildren.org
Before the CAC opened its doors in March 2007, abused and neglected children in the City of Alexandria often had to tell their stories again and again. Following a disclosure to a teacher, a child might have to repeat the details to the principal, a school counselor, a social worker, police officers, police detectives, a child protection investigator, a nurse, a doctor, a lawyer, and others - repeatedly reliving the abuse. It was clear that if we came together as a community, we could serve these children better. The Center for Alexandria's Children (CAC) is our community's response. The CAC is a public-private partnership based on the Children's Advocacy Center Model, which has been shown to improve outcomes for families and victims of abuse. Our Center: *Minimizes trauma to the victims as much as possible by using a coordinated approach to services, meaning fewer interviews for victims and coordinated responses from all of the agencies and nonprofits that serve victims and their families. *Helps children and families heal by providing services in a safe and child-friendly environment. *Works to prevent child abuse by providing prevention programs and parenting classes. *Creates real systemic change by drawing on the expertise, resources, and influence of Alexandria's public, non-profit, and private sectors.