Nitaput Child Advocacy Center

Nitaput Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is operated under the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. A Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a place where a child and their safe caregiver can visit following a concern of serious maltreatment. At the CAC, they can receive comprehensive wraparound services such as a child-friendly forensic interview, medical evaluation, investigation by law enforcement, safety planning from child protection workers, referrals for behavioral health therapy, and support to help the family navigate the process moving forward.

The CAC operates in partnership with agencies involved in law enforcement, the District’s Attorney’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of Children’s Services (OCS), Tribal Organizations, and other social service agencies. The purpose of this partnership is to provide a multidisciplinary approach that will link the child and the non-offending caregiver to services that will provide long-lasting and beneficial outcomes. The collaboration between the disciplines throughout an investigation allows for the systems involved to be sensitive to the needs of children and their families.

The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Family Advocate provides a variety of advocacy services and interventions for victims of abuse and their families. They interact with professionals from other disciplines and agencies involved in sexual abuse investigations and/or provision of services with victims and families. They assist with coordinating activities of multidisciplinary team (MDT), work with parents and families, and provide outreach, follow-up, and case management. The advocate is the point of contact for the family for the duration of their involvement with the CAC/MDT.

Families can expect:

• Immediate support to victims and non-offending family members at the CAC (before, during, and after interview process as well as throughout the life of the case) including crisis assessment, intervention, and safety planning.
• Explanation to non-offending caregiver about CAC paperwork.
• Assistance in procuring concrete services such as housing, protective orders, food, transportation, public assistance, etc.
• Education and access to victim’s rights and compensation for victims of crime.
• Provision of updates to the family on case status, continuances, dispositions, sentencing, and inmate status notification.
• Provision of referrals for on-going mental health and medical treatment.
• Engagement in child and family response regarding participation in the investigation and/or prosecution.
• Participation in case review in order to discuss the unique needs of the child and family.
• Provision of court education and courthouse/courtroom tours, support, and accompaniment.