CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER OF ALLEN COUNTY INDIANA

THE CENTER IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT OF AGENCIES TO COMBAT THE COMPLEXITIES OF INVESTIGATING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. THE CENTER PROVIDES A NEUTRAL, ALL- INCLUSIVE LOCATION WHERE LAW ENFORCEMENT, CHILD PROTECTION SERVICE WORKERS, FORENSIC NURSES, VICTIM ADVOCATES, AND PROSECUTORS WORK IN COOPERATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. THE CENTER STRESSES COORDINATION OF SERVICES BY BRINGING TOGETHER THESE AGENCIES AS A MULTI- DISCIPLINARY TEAM TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE, CHILD-FOCUSED APPROACH TO CASES INVOLVING CHILD MALTREATMENT; ENSURING THAT THE CHILD IS NOT RE- VICTIMIZED BY THE VERY SYSTEM WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THEM. THE CENTER OFFERS CONSISTENT AND COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CENTER HAS CREATED THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS TOGETHER TO AFFECT JUSTICE FOR THESE CHILDREN. THE DIVISION OF CHILD SERVICES, THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE FORT WAYNE SEXUAL ASSAULT TREATMENT CENTER, AND IRIS FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER (IRIS), ENSURE THAT WE WILL PROVIDE A NON-DUPLICATIVE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM TO COMPREHENSIVELY MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS. THE CENTER IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE (NCA). THE NCA PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, LEADERSHIP, NATIONAL ADVOCACY, AND ACCESS TO CURRENT RESEARCH FINDINGS ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TO CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS ACROSS THE NATION. NCA ALSO ASSISTS MANY DEVELOPING CENTERS, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAMS, AND CHILD ABUSE PROFESSIONALS.