WHAT IS A CAC?
A Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) is a community-based, child-focused facility where children alleged to be victims of abuse or neglect are interviewed, receive medical exams - if necessary, therapy, advocacy, and other critical services in a non-threatening and child friendly environment. A CAC brings together an array of professionals to confer and conclude about investigations, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases. The primary goal of a CAC is to minimize the level of trauma experienced by child victims, improve prosecutions, and provide efficient and thorough provision of necessary services to the child victim and the child's family.How CACs Help Kids
To understand what a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is, you must understand what children face without one. Without a CAC, the child may end up having to tell about the worst thing that has happened in his or her life over and over again, to doctors, police officers, lawyers, therapists, investigators, judges, and others. They may have to talk about that traumatic experience in a police station where they think they might be in trouble, or may be asked the wrong questions by a well-meaning teacher or other adult that could hurt the case against the abuser.
When police or child protective services believe a child is being abused, the child is brought to the CAC—a safe, child-focused environment—by a caregiver or other “safe” adult. At the CAC, the child tells their story once to a trained interviewer who knows the right questions to ask in a way that does not retraumatize the child. Then, a team that includes medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health, solicitor’s office, child protective services, victim advocacy, and other professionals make decisions together about how to help the child based on the interview. CACs offer therapy and medical exams, plus courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and other services. This is called the multidisciplinary team (MDT) response and is a core part of the work of CACs do in Florida.
Did You Know? The FNCAC was established in 1996 by 6 member CACs in Florida? We’re celebrating over 25 years of service to Florida’s child victims and their families
ABOUT THE CAC MODEL
The CAC model of a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach was developed through the vision of Former Congressman Cramer and a group of individuals in 1985 in Huntsville, AL. Former Congressman Robert E. “Bud” Cramer (AL), was a District Attorney in Madison County, AL and saw the needs to create a better system to help abused children. The idea to formally bring together the social service and criminal justice systems was born, and thus the CAC Model.
See how a multidisciplinary team approach to child abuse and neglect works.
NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE
To ensure that all children across the U.S. served by Children’s Advocacy Centers CACs) receive consistent, evidence-based services that help them heal from abuse, the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) publishes (and updaters) Standards for Accreditation. About every five years, the standards are updated to reflect the latest evidence and practice of the field. The NCA then works with its members (CACs and Chapters across the country) to help promote the adoption of these standards and earning “Accredited” membership status with the NCA. Site reviews are performed by the NCA of both CACs and Chapters to ensure children are receiving the highest quality services possible. To learn more about the NCA and these Standards of Accreditation, visit: nationalchildrensalliance.org.
National Children’s Alliance (NCA) is a professional membership organization on a mission to make one big difference, one child at a time. Reaching everyone with a voice in eradicating abuse—families, advocates, partner agencies, communities, researchers, and all the way to Capitol Hill—its members power a national movement to keep children safe. Featuring the largest network of care centers supporting child abuse victims in the country, NCA is a model in outcome-driven collaboration.STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION
ABOUT THE FNCAC
Accredited by the National Children's Alliance (NCA) as the State Chapter of Florida, the Florida Network of Children's Advocacy Centers (FNCAC) is a membership organization representing the 28 Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) of Florida. The NCA is the national association and accrediting body for a network of more than 850 Children’s Advocacy Centers nationwide. The FNCAC was founded 25 years ago by a membership of six local CACs whose mission was to ensure child advocacy center services were available to all children in Florida. FNCAC’s mission is outlined in the Florida Statutes. The Chapter was first accredited by NCA in 1996, again in 2014 and most recently in 2020.
The FNCAC provides financial support to the CACs in Florida. The Chapter has been successful in obtaining funding for the CAC Movement in Florida via the Stop Child Abuse license plate which generates funds from fees and voluntary contributions at Florida’s Tax Collector’s offices throughout the state. Additionally, court fines are collected and allocated to the CACs and the FNCAC through the Department of Children & Families’ Trust Fund (DCF-TF). Finally, State Appropriations dollars are managed at the Chapter and provided to the CACs through subcontracts earmarked for CAC services in local communities.
In addition to financial support, the FNCAC provides technical assistance, professional development, legislative advocacy, training, & education and prevention to its member CACs, their MDT partners, and the community.
FNCAC STATEMENT
FNCAC is committed to promoting and supporting communities in providing a coordinated investigation and comprehensive response to child victims of abuse and neglect through Children’s Advocacy Centers and multidisciplinary teams.
FNCAC MISSION
To educate and support children’s advocacy centers using specialized training and technical support to speak for children’s advocacy centers at the state and national level and to manage and deliver funds to Florida’s children’s advocacy centers.
FNCAC VISION
Every child in Florida has access to a child advocacy center in their community with a full range of services
OUR TEAM
FNCAC STAFF
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Luzed Cruz
Executive Director
executivedirector@fncac.org
or lcruz@fncac.org -
Gretchen Wild-Story
Contract Manager
gwild-story@fncac.org -
James "Jim" Jolley
Statewide Programs & Training Coordinator
jjolley@fncac.org -
Temika Dixon
Statewide Programs & Enhancement Coordinator tdixon@fncac.org
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Sarita Taylor
Office Manager staylor@fncac.org
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Alicia Washington
Statewide Membership & Support Coordinator awashington@fncac.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee 
Janine Kell
President
County: Hernando
Melissa Bowermaster
County: Citrus
VP and Treasurer
Sherry Kitchens
Secretary
County: Alachua
David Acevedo
Director At Large
County: Polk
Deborah Cunningham, Esq.
Director At Large
County: Collier
Jackie Stephens
Past President
County: Collier
Board MembersGlori Enzor, DDS
County: Sarasota
Paula Andrews
County: Escambia
John Raho
County: Fort Myers
Casey Woolley
County: Broward
Jay Howell, Esq.
County: Duval
Margot DeConna
County: Alachua
Jeanie Raciti
County: Brevard
Yanelis Diaz
County: Pinellas
VACANT
FNCAC BOD seeks talented individuals to join its Board of Directors. If you are passionate about eliminating child abuse, supporting child victims and their families, and making a difference, apply today!
Mike Haney, PhD
County: Leon
Marie Martinez
County: Orange
Together, the CAC Movement in Florida is positively impacting victim services to abused children throughout the state and improving outcomes for kids and their families.
CAC COVERAGE IN FLORIDA
The FNCAC’s vision is that every child in Florida has access to a child advocacy center in their community with a full range of services. As of January 2023, 91% of the state is covered by a CAC or a Satellite Center. Only six counties in Florida do not have a CAC providing a full array of services.
To view Florida’s full coverage map, click the link below!
Find your local CAC by searching our directory!
START YOUR OWN CAC
If your community does not have a Child Advocacy Center, let us help you get started! Here’s a checklist to guide you on your journey. The Statewide Program Administrator at the FNCAC will help you along your journey. Welcome to the network of support for Child Advocacy Centers in Florida.
Did You Know? Maltreated children are at substantially higher risk than non-maltreated children of repeating a grade. Maltreated children are at increased risk of dropping out of school before high school graduation.