Family Advocacy & Child Engagement

In a child abuse case, the perpetrator is usually someone close to the family or someone who lives in the home. In fact, 90 percent of child abuse victims know, love, and trust their abusers. The abuser may even be a family’s primary breadwinner. Upon their arrest, the entire family is suddenly in crisis. Non-offending family members must have support in order to protect their children and rebuild their lives. The Center’s Family Advocacy Department is designed to meet the short and long-term needs of children and their non-offending caregivers. We do this by providing a consistent advocate they can rely on to resolve concerns, provide resources in the community, and support as they proceed through the judicial system. Our services include:

• Advocacy: Family Advocates work collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and non-offending family members to ensure that the client’s voice is heard.
• Support: Family Advocates provide emotional support for clients as they proceed through the judicial system.
• Information: Family Advocates provide clients with information regarding the status of their case and aid in connecting them to resources in the community.
• Assistance with tangible needs: Sometimes, families are in financial crisis and need help with food, clothing, housing, employment, finances, and other aspects of living. Advocates make appropriate referrals and access much-needed resources.

Interns are a critical part of the family advocacy team, allowing the Center to leverage every dollar spent on these essential programs. The Family Advocacy Department offers internships each semester to help educate future social workers and other child welfare professionals. Learn more about our Family Advocacy Internships.

The Rainbow Room meets the emergency needs of children and families that the Center and its partners serve by providing immediate access to brand-new clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and baby items completely free of charge.

Children who are removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect often leave with nothing but the clothes on their back. Caregivers may struggle to meet the unexpected needs of a child in crisis. The Rainbow Room is there to help ensure safer environments and stabilized placements for our clients.

Everything in the Rainbow Room is brand new. Never worn. Nothing borrowed. Nothing used. Children victimized by abuse and neglect do not deserve abused and neglected things.

Interested in donating to the Rainbow Room? There are three great ways you can donate:

• You can click the link to our Amazon Wishlist below and shop from there. Items purchased will be delivered to the Center directly from Amazon.
• Organize a themed fundraiser or donation drive for the CACCC Rainbow Room, which provides new clothing, toiletries, and other essentials to children in crisis. Most needed items include infant care supplies, socks, shoes, jeans, and clothing for teenagers.
• You can bring new items you have already collected and drop them off at the Center.

Drop Off:
The Center is open Monday-Thursday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm and Fridays 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
2205 Los Rios Blvd., Plano, TX 75074  |   1701 Heritage Drive, McKinney, TX 75069

The purpose of Child Engagement is to alleviate the immediate stressors a child may experience before, during, or after their visit. Children are more receptive to healing when they understand what they are about to experience. Child Engagement empowers children, helps regulate any negative emotions, and minimizes self-blame or guilt. This is achieved through preparation, play-based interventions, and trauma-informed care. Children and teens are offered activities that promote mindfulness, healthy coping skills, emotional regulation, and resilience.

Additionally, every child who participates in a forensic interview is offered a trauma screening with caregiver consent. This evidence-based screening identifies potential trauma symptoms and suicidal ideation. Based on the results, caregivers receive feedback and recommendations for supportive services that may benefit their child. It is important to note that these screenings are not diagnostic assessments and are not used to determine whether abuse or neglect has occurred.

Child Engagement services take place in our Activity Center, a welcoming space designed to foster comfort, engagement, and healing during what can be a difficult experience. Donations of snacks, comfort items, basic-needs supplies, activity materials, and coping-kit items help us create a supportive environment where children can feel cared for and begin their healing journey with confidence.

If you are interested in supporting our Child Engagement program, please click the link below to shop our Amazon Wish List.