The Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center (NKYCAC) has been awarded re-accreditation by National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process.
As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) across the country, National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective, efficient, and put the needs of the child first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.
“As an organization, with the support of our community partners, we are dedicated to responding to child abuse,” said Vickie Henderson, Executive Director of the NKYCAC.
“We recognize the importance of maintaining accredited status from National Children’s Alliance. Re-accreditation not only validates our organization’s dedication to proven effective approaches of child abuse intervention and prevention, but also contributes to consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole.”
Accredited CACs must undergo a re-accreditation process every five years to ensure that best practices are continually being applied. With accreditation standards being updated in 2010, re-accreditation this year reflects NKYCAC’s commitment to providing evidence-based methods.
NKYCAC provides services to children that have been sexually abused, physical abused, witnessed violent crimes and their non-offending caregivers, siblings and family members throughout the eight counties of Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, and Pendleton Counties.
The NKYCAC has served over 7,500 children since 1988. In 2014, NKYCAC provided services to over 750 children and their non-offending caregivers.
Accreditation confirmed NKYCAC’s ability to use the multi-disciplinary approach to benefit children, including effective forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention, cultural competency and diversity. All of these approaches are offered in a child-focused setting.
“The Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center is to be commended for its continued commitment to effectively serve victims of child abuse,” said Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children’s Alliance.
“Our goal is to ensure that every victim of child abuse has access to high quality services that result from professional collaboration. By requiring Accredited Centers to undergo re-Accreditation every five years, we ensure that evidence-based practices are being implemented and the highest quality of service is being provided.”
From NKYCAC/Image via cfnky.org