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 be experiencing before, during, and after their forensic interview. We achieve this through the use of preparation, play intervention, and trauma-informed care.

• Why: 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.
• How: Child Engagement Advocates greet the child when they arrive at the center and prepares them for what to expect, using visual and physical aids. Each child’s emotional and basic needs are assessed and provided intervention, if needed. Developmentally appropriate mindfulness activities and education in coping skills are offered to each child during their visit.
• Get Involved: On our Amazon Wishlist link below, you will find food, drinks, supplies for coping jars, and items for mindfulness activities that support the children we serve in Child Engagement.