On July 24th, Meghan Oliverio from the Granite State Children’s Alliance, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), a neutral place where a child can be interviewed regarding physical abuse, sexual abuse, witnessing a serious crime, or domestic violence. Forensic interviewers conduct the interviews with the child.
This is often extremely sensitive subject matter, and CACs were started in 1985 to help provide safe/healthier environments for children to testify in relation to the court system. CACs help coordinate communication between prosecutors, DCSF, court appointed advocates, and more. The multidisciplinary team comes to the CAC for the forensic interview to “fact find” with children from ages 3-18years old. The multidisciplinary team is able to watch the interview, and provides the same information to all involved.
CACs in New Hampshire now have components of mental health and behavioral health to provide even more services. There are two CACs in Hillsborough County (one in Manchester and one in Nashua). They served estimated 350 children in the last year. Statewide they have served >1000 children.
Children involved with the CAC leave their handprints on the wall in the facility. To adults these handprints can be quite saddening, but for the children that come into the facility, this is a reminder that other children have experienced the same thing they are going through. This can be comforting to many children.
CACs differ from CASA, which does most work in family court. CACs may have a Court appointed special advocate(CASA), but their interviews are for criminal court situations. CACs are nonprofit organizations that only receive $200k from the State of NH. These funds are divided amongst the different centers throughout the state. Most funding comes from federal grants and fundraising.
Meghan answered questions from Rotarians, including how translator services are funded.