Our Approach to Advocacy
Our advocates ensure every child and non-offending caregiver have a trusted guide throughout the child abuse healing process. Through trauma-informed advocacy & support, advocates help children feel safe and heard while reducing the barriers that prevent families from accessing healing.
A Child's Journey
What to Expect
Before Your Visit
After receiving a referral from Law Enforcement or Child Protective Services (CPS), our Intake Coordinator will contact the child’s non-offending caregiver to introduce BRACAC, explain what to expect, and schedule a Forensic Interview. During this call, we may also ask about transportation needs or other assistance your family may need to make the appointment. Our goal is to help remove barriers and ensure your family feels prepared and supported before arriving at the Center.
During Your Visit
From the moment your family arrives at BRACAC, our Advocacy Department is here to help you feel welcomed, supported, and informed. Your advocate will walk alongside your child and family throughout the process, helping you understand what to expect, answering questions, and connecting you with resources that may be helpful.
During your visit, you can expect:
A Welcoming Introduction: Your advocate will explain the services available, introduce you to the process, and help your child feel comfortable before appointments begin.
Child & Family Support: We provide age-appropriate explanations, reassurance, and emotional support to help reduce fear and anxiety.
Caregiver Guidance: Your advocate will explain the process, discuss available services, and answer questions about forensic interviews, therapy, and what may happen next.
Resource Connections: We can help connect families with community resources for food, transportation, housing, financial assistance, and other needs.
Safety & Advocacy Planning: We work with families and our multidisciplinary team to help identify safety needs and advocate for services that best support each child.
Ongoing Support: Our advocates remain available beyond your initial visit, including helping families prepare for court proceedings and navigate next steps.
Every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported.
Children experiencing abuse may arrive at BRACAC feeling frightened, overwhelmed, and uncertain about what comes next. Our advocates help change that experience by preparing children for their visit, answering difficult questions, offering reassurance, and reminding them that what happened was never their fault.
Through compassionate guidance, emotional support, and connections to vital resources, we help children and caregivers navigate an unfamiliar process with greater confidence, comfort, and hope. No child or family has to face this journey alone.
