CAC Development

 

The following is a checklist that has been developed by the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), which summarizes 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. 

1.   Convene a working committee or task force of key individuals

2.   Select leadership

3.   Conduct a needs assessment of the extent of the problem in the community

4.   Develop vision and mission statements

5.   Determine CAC service population

6.   Gather information on various CAC models

7.   Select the CAC approach that best suits the community

8.   Develop Interagency agreement and obtain agency commitment

9.   Determine organizational structure

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

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

12.   Determine staffing needs and agency roles

13.   Multidisciplinary team protocol development

14.   Research potential sources of support

15.   Plan and implement resource development

16.   Development of governance Board or advisory structure

17.   Develop policies and procedures for security and safe-guards
      (internal financial controls, liability insurance, conflict of interest policies, etc.)

18.   Volunteer recruitment, screening and training development

19.   Training for program staff and community

20.   Consider providing child abuse prevention programming

21.   Develop program evaluation and accountability plan

22.   Cultivate leadership and funding resources on an ongoing basis  

Any community in Indiana that is interested in the development of a Children’s Advocacy Center should contact the Indiana Chapter of the National Children’s Alliance at 317.328.8574.