The Kane County Child Advocacy Center has been awarded re-accreditation by the National Children�s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process, Kane County State�s Attorney Joe McMahon announced March 1. As the accrediting agency for children�s advocacy centers across the country, National Children�s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children�s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.
Accredited CACs must undergo a review process every five years to ensure that the best practices are continually applied. With accreditation standards being updated in 2010, re-accreditation this year reflects the Kane County Child Advocacy Center�s commitment to providing evidence-based methods practice.
The Kane County Child Advocacy Center was established in 1994 as a prosecution-based program to ensure coordination and cooperation in the investigation of cases of sexual abuse and severe physical abuse to children in Kane County. The Kane CAC averages 400 investigations per year and annually conducts more than 1,200 forensic interviews. The Center also provides education, prevention and counseling for victims and their families.
National Children�s Alliance awards accredited membership based on a CAC�s compliance with 10 national standards to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims. Accredited members must utilize a functioning and effective multidisciplinary team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution and treatment. National Children�s Alliance also considers standards regarding a center�s cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention and child focused setting.
�As a team of individuals dedicated to responding to child abuse, we recognize the importance of maintaining accredited status from National Children�s Alliance. Re-accreditation not only validates our organization�s dedication to proven effective approaches of child abuse intervention, it also contributes to consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole,� McMahon said.
�The Kane County Child Advocacy Center is to be commended for its continued commitment to effectively serve victims of child abuse. As the national association and accrediting body for children�s advocacy centers, our goal is to ensure that every victim of child abuse has access to high-quality services that result from professional collaboration. By requiring accredited centers to undergo re-accreditation every five years, we ensure that evidence-based practices are being implemented and the highest quality of service is being provided,� said Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children�s Alliance.
For information about the Kane County Child Advocacy Center, call (630) 208-5160 or visit the Web site at http://saopublic.co.kane.il.us/Pages/CrimesAgainstChildren.aspx.