We work to ensure abused children receive the essential services needed to help them in their recovery.

The Jefferson Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a 501 c3 non-profit, nationally accredited agency, and was the first Advocacy Center to open in Louisiana in 1991. Located in a small, welcoming, child-friendly house, in a residential neighborhood just a few blocks from the Jefferson Parish Government Complex, our primary purpose is to coordinate an interagency approach within Jefferson Parish regarding child abuse, neglect and, most recently, child witnesses of violent crimes. With this goal in mind, we utilize a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) approach to include Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Social Services, Mental Health and Medical Professionals, while respecting and honoring our culturally diverse clientele within the community. Such an interagency effort facilitates the appropriate and consistent detection of and response to child abuse in our community.

The Challenge

1 in 10 children will become a victim of sexual abuse by their 18th birthday and an average of 5 children die each day as a result of abuse or neglect in the United States. In the majority of cases, this is done by someone the child loved and trusted. If left untreated these Adverse Childhood Experiences can lead to long term physical, mental and behavioral problems later in life.

Our Solution

At the heart of our model is the Multidisciplinary Team approach – a collaboration among the agencies involved from initial outcry thru investigation, prosecution and treatment. By working together, we prevent duplicative interviews, improve communication, foster more effective decision-making and ensure child victims and their non-offending family members have access to trauma-focused services.

Where We Work

Serving Jefferson Parish, we work as part of a larger network of CACs throughout Louisiana and the United States to provide courtesy services and linkage to services. Want to join our work? We have a variety of ways to get involved.