FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Who is the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center?
A: The Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center (JCCAC) is a 501(c)(3) that has been providing services for child victims of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse and children witnesses to homicides and other violent crimes since 1996. The Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center is also an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance and a member of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of TX. The JCCAC provides crisis intervention, forensic interviews, medical evaluations/treatment, counseling, play therapy, court accompaniment, and personal advocacy. Those counseled include victims, children at-risk and non-perpetrating family members, with agency services provided as long as needed at no cost to the family.
Q: Who does the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center serve?
A: The Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center specifically serves the residents of Johnson County; although, The Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center serves the surrounding counties with courtesy interviews and depending on where the abuse was committed or the situation of child/family, will serve residents living outside Johnson County.
Q: What agencies work with the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center?
A: We use a multi-disciplinary team approach to help rescue involve child victims. Our goal is to ensure that every child who has suffered abuse understands that they have incredible worth and value. Our core mission is to provide each child who has suffered abuse, with justice, hope and healing. Our team is made up of Crimes Against Children detectives, prosecutors, child protective service investigators, forensic interviewers, medical staff, therapists, family advocates, and juvenile services. The appropriate team members are notified each time a child’s case is referred that fits case criteria. Our team also includes one of the largest service agency therapy dog programs in the nation. Our dogs are the “CAC Rock Stars”. We were one of the first Children’s Advocacy Centers in the nation to have all of our judges unanimously agree that our dogs could accompany child victims to all court proceedings.
Q: How is a child referred to the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center?
A: Children are referred through the agencies that are mandated by the Family Code to receive reports of child abuse: Child Protective Services, and all municipal law enforcement agencies in Johnson County. We do not take walk-in clients, but can advise if help is needed on how to access services.
Q: Is there a cost for services provided by the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center?
A: No. All services are provided the children and families at no cost.
Q: Do children reside at the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center?
A: No. Children come to the Center to receive services and leave with their caregiver. We do not provide any inpatient, foster or respite care for children.
Q: What do I do if I suspect child abuse?
A: If you suspect a child has been abused, please call the statewide intake line of CPS at (800) 252-5400.
Q: Why is the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center necessary?
A: Before Children’s Advocacy Centers children were often “re-victimized” through unnecessary and repetitive interviews due to each agency’s independent process. This process led to duplication of efforts between the various department while also complicating the information for the child’s case. Children’s Advocacy Centers help with the coordination of police, prosecution, mental health and medical agencies. The Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center helps overcome these problems by reducing child trauma and enhancing the investigation, resulting in improved lives for child victims and a higher number of convictions for offenders.