Staff

History

Collin County Children's Advocacy Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency, takes action to identify, protect and improve the lives of abused and neglected Collin County children. CCCAC opened its doors to clients in January 1993, and since then has offered services to over 14,000 children and their non-offending family members.

The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) concept originated with Alabama Congressman Bud Cramer. In 1985, while serving as a District Attorney, Congressman Cramer reached the conclusion that many systems in place to support children victimized by abuse were actually re-victimizing them. Children suffering abuse were shuffled from police stations to social service offices, and other facilities created for adults, where they faced repeating the details of their nightmare over and over.

Congressman Cramer's idea was to create a child friendly environment where children could tell their story; his vision lead to the creation of more than 400 CAC’s throughout the nation, and 59 in Texas. Today children are able to visit a CAC designed specifically for them where they may describe their nightmare. They speak with a trained forensic interviewer and the interview is videotaped to minimize the number of times they must detail their trauma. The videotaping also results in increasing the accuracy of information provided professionals investigating the case.

Since beginning, CCCAC's program services have evolved to meet the needs of the community. A Strategic Alliance has been shaped that works collaboratively to increase services and reach a greater number of children victimized by abuse. This Alliance, housed under one roof, includes all of Collin County Child Protective Services, law enforcement representing 13 Collin County jurisdictions, members from the District Attorney's office, medical sexual assault nurse examiners, therapy providers and community resource representatives. In addition to these services, others housed at the Center include a family violence unit (created in conjunction with the Plano Police Department), as well as a representative from Plano Family Services. The Alliance is comprised of over 100 trained professionals dedicated to serving 100 percent of Collin County children victimized by abuse.

Statistics reflect that children suffering abuse who do not receive a strong intervention are 67 times more likely to become juvenile offenders. We believe a strong intervention is the best prevention to child abuse. By offering services to 100 percent of Collin County children victimized by abuse we are making a difference in the life of our community every day.