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CHILDREN ASSISTANCE CENTRE
— · EIN · cachouston.org
profile · synthesized from sources

The Children's Assessment Center (The CAC) is a nonprofit organization based in Houston, Texas, serving as the only child advocacy center for Harris County. It provides free, trauma-informed services to children who have experienced sexual abuse and their families, including forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapy, and family advocacy. The CAC coordinates with over 60 partner agencies to streamline investigations and support healing, operating under a multidisciplinary model to prevent retraumatization.

named programs · 5 · from sources

what they call their work

Family Advocacy
Support services to guide families through the investigation and healing process, including resource referrals and system navigation
Forensic Interview
Child-friendly, non-leading interviews conducted by specialized forensic interviewers to gather information about alleged abuse in a trauma-informed setting
Medical Evaluation
Comprehensive medical exams performed by specialized professionals to assess health needs and document findings for children who may have been sexually abused
Prevention Training
Community education programs such as Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children that teach adults how to recognize, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse
Therapy and Psychological Services
Trauma-informed, evidence-based mental health services including individual therapy, psychological evaluations, and psychiatric medication management for child victims, siblings, and non-offending caregivers
activities · 5 groups

what they do

  • Child Abuse Response & Support Services 3 activities
    • Comprehensive medical evaluations for suspected child sexual abuse
      Provides medical exams for children who may have experienced sexual abuse, conducted by specialized medical professionals to assess physical health and collect forensic evidence when needed.
    • Family advocacy and case coordination
      Provides access to Family Advocates who connect victims of child sexual abuse and their families with community resources and services, supporting them through the healing and legal processes.
    • Forensic interviewing of child abuse victims
      Conducts forensic interviews with children who are alleged victims of sexual abuse, using a child-friendly, non-leading, and non-threatening approach to gather reliable information for investigation and prosecution purposes.
  • Child Protection Safeguarding Programs 2 activities
    • Capacity building and systems advocacy
      Engages in national and state networks to promote child-friendly intervention systems for sexually abused children and shares best practices to strengthen the broader child protection field.
    • Prevention and awareness training programs
      Delivers community-based training to children, families, schools, medical professionals, and organizations on recognizing signs of abuse, reducing risks, and improving communication to prevent child sexual abuse.
  • Psychosocial Support and Counseling Services 1 activity
    • Integrated care model for child abuse cases
      Operates a multidisciplinary center providing forensic interviewing, medical exams, mental health services, family advocacy, and court support in one location at no cost to clients, ensuring coordinated and trauma-informed care.
  • Organizational Performance Reporting 1 activity
    • Organizational transparency and public accountability
      Demonstrates transparency by publicly sharing financial data, service metrics, and mission progress, recognized with the Platinum Seal of Transparency by GuideStar.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Language access services
      Provides translation services in multiple languages to ensure non-English-speaking families can fully access forensic, medical, mental health, and advocacy services.
    • Mental health services for child abuse victims and families
      Offers trauma-informed therapy, psychological and psychiatric evaluations, and medication follow-up for child victims, siblings, and non-offending caregivers through licensed mental health providers.
relationships · 81

who they work with

  • Aldine ISD Police Department Partner — Provides security and investigative support within school communities.
  • Alief ISD Police Department Partner — Provides security and investigative support within school communities.
  • Astros Foundation Partner — Marian Harper, a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, is associated with the Astros Foundation.
  • Barclays Partner — Ryan Roller, a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, is Vice President at Barclays.
  • Baylor College of Medicine Partner — Dr. Joan Shook, a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, is a Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine.
  • Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital Partner — Provides medical care, forensic examinations, and mental health services to child abuse victims.
  • Baytown Police Department Partner — Collaborates on investigations to ensure justice and protection for child victims.
  • Bellaire Police Department Partner — Collaborates on investigations to ensure justice and protection for child victims.
  • Bracewell LLP Partner — Jeff Vaden, a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, is associated with Bracewell LLP.
  • CPS Partner — One of the reporting agencies responsible for receiving reports of suspected abuse and referring cases to the CAC.
  • Child Advocates, Inc. Partner — Offers advocacy, victim support, education, and prevention programs.
  • Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas Network — Member organization supporting child abuse intervention and advocacy across Texas.
  • Communities In Schools, Houston Inc. Partner — Offers advocacy, victim support, education, and prevention programs.
  • Crime Stoppers of Houston Partner — Offers advocacy, victim support, education, and prevention programs.
  • Cunningham Capital Partner — Lori Swann, President of the Foundation Board of Directors, is associated with Cunningham Capital.
  • Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Police Department Partner — Provides security and investigative support within school communities.
  • DFPS Government — Reporting suspected child abuse to DFPS is required by law, and DFPS operates the Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline for reporting.
  • DFPS Partner — Collaborates with DFPS caseworkers to refer children and families to the CAC and assess service needs.
  • Deer Park Police Department Partner — Collaborates on investigations to ensure justice and protection for child victims.
  • Douglas Elliman Real Estate Partner — Tony Gibson, a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, is associated with Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Partner — Collaborates on investigations to ensure justice and protection for child victims.
  • Feeladay Managing Consulting Partner — Jenifer L. Matula, a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, is associated with Feeladay Managing Consulting.
  • Friendswood Police Department Partner — Collaborates on investigations to ensure justice and protection for child victims.
  • Galena Park Police Department Partner — Collaborates on investigations to ensure justice and protection for child victims.
  • Goose Creek ISD Police Department Partner — Provides security and investigative support within school communities.
  • Harris County Attorney’s Office Partner — Provides legal support, forensic expertise, and child welfare services.
  • Harris County Constable Precincts Partner — Collaborates on investigations to ensure justice and protection for child victims.
  • Harris County District Attorney’s Office Partner — Provides legal support, forensic expertise, and child welfare services.
  • Harris County Domestic Relations Office Partner — Provides legal support, forensic expertise, and child welfare services.
  • Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences Partner — Provides legal support, forensic expertise, and child welfare services.
+ 51 more