The following is a checklist that has been developed by the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) summarizing the tasks that need to be completed in establishing a Children’s Advocacy Center. While the activities are listed in approximate order, some will need to take place concurrently and there will be variations in each community.

 

• Convene a working committee or task force of key individuals

• Select leadership

• Conduct a needs assessment of the extent of the problem in the community

• Develop vision and mission statements

• Determine CAC service population

• Gather information on various CAC models

• Select the CAC approach that best suits the community

• Develop Interagency agreement and obtain agency commitment

• Determine organizational structure

• Determine which services will be offered on-site or through referrals

• Select site and design or acquire space for child-appropriate facility

• Determine staffing needs and agency roles

• Multidisciplinary team protocol development

• Research potential sources of support

 

For more information about becoming a CAC, contact the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois at 217.528.2224 or cacofillinois@ameritech.net.