Child Advocacy Center

Children & Family Services Program Child Advocacy Center Head Start Jacob's House

Contact the Child Advocacy Center

P.O. Box 948
Nome, AK 99762

Phone #
907-443-4376
or 443-4379

Fax #
907-443-4474

Click here to email the Child Advocacy Center

CAC Links

Safe and Healthy Children Whose Voices Will Be Heard

Mission
To provide a child-friendly, culturally respectful place where caring professionals work together to help children, families and communities affected by abuse.

What is a Child Advocacy center?
The Kawerak Child Advocacy center is a child-friendly, culturally respectful place where caring professionals work together, in one location, to help children and families cope with sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, and exposure to violence.

Referrals are made to the center from the Nome Police Department, AK State troopers, Office of Children's Services (OCS), and tribal Courts. The referring system will then contact the center to make appointments for forensic interviewing, medical examinations and assessment for treatment services.The center provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary team (MDT) evaluation for child sexual or severe physical abuse concerns with the goal of reducing trauma to children. This may include a forensic interview, medical examination, victim advocacy, counseling support/referrals, and follow up for children and families.

FORENSIC INTERVIEW
To eliminate multiple interviews of a child, the center offers one location for forensic interviews to take place with specially trained interviewers.

MEDICAL EXAM
The Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) provides forensic medical examinations at the center. The exam room is child-friendly and confidential. A child will NEVER be forced to undergo a medical exam or interview.

INVESTIGATIVE REVIEW TEAM
An identified interagency team meets monthly to review case information and makes recommendations for follow up services and treatment.

Center Staff
The center staff provides:

Advocacy for the Child

Bilingual Interpreters As Requested

Child & Family Counseling Referrals

Education, training and Information

Regional Prevention Activities

Long-Term Follow-up Support

Serves on the DFYS Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

Coordinating Team Meetings

Lodging Stipends for Client Families

Why do we need a center like this?

Alaska has the highest rate of substantiated cases of child abuse in the nation.

Children and families need a neutral place where they can feel safe.

The center is a place where agencies can come together to provide effective services in a collaborative approach.

The center can provide referral and follow-up services to ensure the child and family have the support they need.

How Can You Make a Difference?
If you suspect child abuse, report it to law enforcement or DFYS. Help us ensure these services continue by contacting the center! We accept the following donations: monetary, artwork, quilts, stuffed animals, toys, games, art materials, backpacks, duffel bags, pre-packaged snacks and juice.

For a brief description of the CAC rooms please hold your mouse over each picture.

Playroom - This is the CAC playroom where children have access to toys, games, paints, coloring supplies, puzzles, and books. BHS also provides play therapy in the playroom.

Playroom - This is the CAC playroom where children have access to toys, games, paints, coloring supplies, puzzles, and books. BHS also provides play therapy in the playroom.

Playroom - Another view of the playroom.

Medical Exam Room - The NSHC nurses painted the medical exam room. Wellness exams and forensic medical exams are conducted in this room.

Helpful Phone Numbers
Agency	There you can:	Phone #
Alaska State Troopers	Report and get help about crime, missing persons, etc.	443-5525 or 1-800-443-2835
Behavioral Health Services	Recieve mental health and substance abuse counseling	443-3344
Bering Sea Women's Group	Obtain domestic violence services, get help after an assault, or find emergency shelter because of safety issues	443-5491
DFYS (S.O.A. Division of Family and Youth Services)	Report and get help for abused or neglected children	443-5247
Nome Police Department	Report and get help about crime that occurs in Nome	443-5262 or 911
Norton Sound Regional Hospital	Receive medical care	443-3311
Poison Control Center	Find out what to do if you have been exposed to poisons or an overdose	1-800-222-1222
Public Health Nursing	Obtain health care, immunizations, well child care, etc.	443-3336
SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) at the hospital	Get medical treatment after an assault	443-3344
Suicide Hotline	Talk with a national free phone service if you feel like harming yourself, to get support	1-800-999-9999

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