CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER

PROGRAM 1 - COMMUNITY CLOSET & FOOD PANTRY THE COMMUNITY CLOSET AND FOOD PANTRY (CLOSET) PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE CLOSET OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO HELP FAMILIES IN DISTRESS, PARTICULARLY THOSE EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS, AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS. AT THE CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENTER, WE OFTEN ENCOUNTER CASES WHERE THE ABUSER SERVES AS THE HOUSEHOLD'S PRIMARY SOURCE OF INCOME. FOR NONOFFENDING PARENTS, WHO ARE TYPICALLY SINGLE MOTHERS FACING SOCIOECONOMIC CHALLENGES, THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE CLOSET OFFERS A VITAL REPRIEVE AS THEY NAVIGATE THE PATH TO PREVENTING FURTHER VICTIMIZATION. BY ADDRESSING THEIR BASIC NEEDS, WE FOSTER A SENSE OF WELL- BEING FOR THE CHILDREN AND ENABLE THE NONOFFENDING PARENT(S) TO FOCUS ON THE CHILD VICTIM, PROCESS THE TRAUMA, STRENGTHEN THE FAMILY UNIT, AND BEGIN THE HEALING PROCESS. THE CLOSET PROVIDES: -NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY. -HYGIENE AND HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS TO MAINTAIN SAFE LIVING CONDITIONS. -TOYS AND BLANKETS TO PROVIDE COMFORT AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. -JOURNALS AND GEL PENS FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES. -DOOR ALARMS FOR FAMILIES WHERE THE SUSPECTED PERPETRATOR REMAINS IN THE HOME. -GAS GIFT CARDS TO ASSIST WITH TRANSPORTATION TO FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, MEDICAL EXAMS, AND MENTAL HEALTH APPOINTMENTS. -NEW CLOTHING AND SHOE ITEMS TO PROVIDE DIGNITY AND STABILITY TO STRUGGLING FAMILIES. THE CLOSET FILLS A NEED IDENTIFIED BY ONSITE AGENCY PARTNERS AT THE SNCAC TO PROVIDE NECESSITIES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES LIVING IN OR AT THE EDGE OF POVERTY. BY WORKING WITH SNCAC FAMILY ADVOCATES, WHO MEET DIRECTLY WITH FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY NEED, THE CLOSET ENSURES THAT THE MOST VULNERABLE FAMILIES RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

PROGRAM 2 - VEGAS HEALS IN RESPONSE TO THE URGENT NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, THE CACF CREATED THE VEGAS HEALS PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM ENSURES THAT CHILD VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES RECEIVE THE CONTINUUM OF CARE NECESSARY TO HEAL FROM CHILD ABUSE TRAUMA AND ACHIEVE EQUITABLE OUTCOMES. VEGAS HEALS PROVIDES ACCESS TO BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND SUPPORT GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS TO VICTIMS WHO CANNOT AFFORD SERVICES AND HELPS SIBLINGS AND NON-OFFENDING PARENTS WHO EXPERIENCE TRAUMA-RELATED SYMPTOMS OF THEIR OWN. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF VEGAS HEALS IS TO MINIMIZE THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE BY EMPOWERING PARTICIPANTS WITH THE COPING SKILLS NECESSARY TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO PREVENT FURTHER ABUSE. WHEN A DISCLOSURE IS MADE, THE ENTIRE FAMILY UNIT IS AFFECTED, INCLUDING SIBLINGS WHO WITNESSED THE ABUSE, THE NON-OFFENDING PARENT WHO NEEDS SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHER PRIMARY CARETAKERS WHO NEED PSYCHOEDUCATION TO ADEQUATELY SUPPORT THE CHILD VICTIM. TRAUMAINFORMED THERAPY RECOGNIZES AND ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF BOTH THE PRIMARY VICTIM AND SECONDARY VICTIMS SIBLINGS AND NONOFFENDING PARENTS. VEGAS HEALS ALLOWS VICTIMS AND FAMILIES TO COMPLETE THEIR TREATMENT WITHOUT THE ADDED STRESS OF INCURRING EXPENSES THAT, WHETHER FOR LACK OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES OR HEALTH INSURANCE, THEY ARE UNABLE TO PAY.