Advocacy and Referral Services

The family advocate provides services for non-offending caregivers. Referral services are made to community agencies for individual needs of families.

Forensic Interviews / Extended Forensic Evaluations

Children who disclose abuse are referred to the CAC to be interviewed by a trained forensic interviewer. Children are provided with a neutral, child friendly environment to be interviewed.  Law enforcement and DHR are available and if disclosure occurs during the interview, law enforcement, along with the District Attorney’s office, will determine if questioning of the offender needs to occur. Alleged offenders are not allowed on the premises at any time. If a child does not provide a full disclosure but enough information is provided that indicates abuse has occurred, a referral for an Extended Forensic Evaluation will be made. This is a six session assessment conducted by a trained therapist to determine the likelihood that abuse has/has not occurred. While the interview is being conducted the Family Advocate educates the non-offending caretaker about the CAC interview, the services the center provides, and the role of all of the agencies involved.

Counseling

Individual and group counseling is provided for child abuse victims, adult survivors and their families. If there is a disclosure during the interview process,the child is referred for counseling with the CAC Therapist. All counseling services are provided at no cost to the family.

Support Groups

Support groups are provided for non-offending caregivers and victims of abuse. These are scheduled once per quarter.

Prevention Education & STARS Program

The K.E.E.P. (Kids Engaged in Education and Prevention) program provides prevention and personal safety education to K-4 through high school students, parents, educators, counselors, PTA and administrative staff in a school setting.  In-service training is also available for law enforcement, social workers, foster parents, child care workers and other professionals.

The STARS (Specialized Treatment of Adolescents without Residental Services) program was organized in October 2007 to provide specialized treatment and counseling  to youth with sexual behavior problems in the Russell County area.The purpose of the STARS program is to assist children and adolescents in our area with sexual behavior problems.  In working with children and youth with sexual behavior problems our agency implements a Goal Oriented Approach, providing a holistic mode of treatment. Cognitive exercises and psycho-education are used with both juveniles and the adults involved in the juveniles’ social network.  The STARS program utilizes treatment techniques to teach youth to self-monitor, interrupt, and reframe thoughts, emotions, and stressors that result in inappropriate fantasies and related behaviors. Replacement behaviors including coping, social, problem-solving, and relaxation skills are also taught to help encourage positive self-monitoring skills and consequence recognition.

Children's Trust Fund

Court Accompaniment

Court Accompaniment is a vital part of the Russell County Child Advocacy Center. This allows the center to publicly advocate for the victims and their families  as well as support them in what can be a very traumatic time for the all involved.

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