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Please choose from the following frequently asked questions.
What is the Dallas Children’s
Advocacy Center?
The Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) is a
nonprofit public / private collaboration that provides a
coordinated, multi-agency approach to the investigation,
intervention, and treatment of child sexual and physical
abuse. Our mission is to break the cycle of child abuse
through collaborative intervention in a child sensitive
environment. Our facility includes DCAC’s staff of
highly skilled and specially trained forensic interviewers,
therapists, and client services staff as well as the Dallas
Police Department’s Child Abuse Squad, a special investigative
unit from Child Protective Services, and a Dallas County
Assistant District Attorney. Together with law enforcement
organizations from throughout Dallas County, and our medical
partners at Children’s Medical Center, The Department of
Pediatrics, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center, DCAC improves the lives of abused children in Dallas
County and provides a national model of leadership on child
abuse issues.
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Why is DCAC necessary?
The criminal justice system, a system primarily designed
for adult perpetrators not child victims, often lacks coordination
between police, prosecution, mental health and medical agencies.
Before DCAC, children were often “re-victimized”
through unnecessary and repetitive interviews due to each
agency’s independent process. It often duplicated
efforts and complicated information in an already complex
legal system. The Center helps overcome these problems by
reducing child trauma, enhancing investigation, and resulting
in improved lives for child victims and higher conviction
rates for offenders.
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How is DCAC different from existing
programs for children?
DCAC is the only program in Dallas County that aligns and
incorporates the core disciplines through the consistent
application of a multidisciplinary team approach at one
location, where the best interest of each child supersedes
any individual agency agenda. These are the only agencies
with statutory duty under law to investigate and prosecute
child abuse cases. All professionals associated with DCAC
are highly skilled and specialize in working in the field
of child abuse.
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Does DCAC duplicate current programs?
No. There are no programs in Dallas County that address
and facilitate immediate intervention through the participation
of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, Dallas
County law enforcement organizations, Children’s Medical
Center of Dallas, the Department of Pediatrics at the University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Child Protective
Services.
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Who does DCAC serve?
DCAC primarily serves sexually and physically abused children
under the age of 14 where the alleged perpetrator is 17
years of age or older, the offense occurred in Dallas County,
and the case was referred by law enforcement or Child Protective
Services. DCAC typically serves the most severe or complex
cases of child abuse and also provides services to child
witnesses of violent crime. DCAC served more than 2,000
children in 2006. Since the agency’s inception in
1991, DCAC has served more than 20,000 children and families.
Therapy was provided to more than 750 children and families
in 2006 and more than 6,000 children have received therapy
services through the center's therapy program.
DCAC also serves community professionals in the fields
of law enforcement, prosecution, medical, mental health,
and education, through professional development and training,
and providers programs to civic groups and other social
service providers on child abuse related topics.
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What is DCAC’s budget?
DCAC’s operating budget for fiscal year 2007 (January
– December) is $2,912,000.
Audited fiscal year 2005 data reflect that program services
represented 78%; administration, 14%; and fundraising costs
totaled 8% of total 2005 actual expenses.
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Are clients charged for services?
When a child is referred to DCAC for forensic interview
services, there is no charge to the families. These services
are provided in cooperation with law enforcement, Child
Protective Services, the Dallas County District Attorney’s
office, Children’s Medical Center, and others. These
services are funded though an array of sources including
individual gifts, foundation and corporate grants, and government
funds.
Fees are associated with DCAC’s child and family
therapy program. Many clients qualify for one or more sources
of funds such as private insurance, Victims of Crime compensation,
Medicaid and others. DCAC will create appropriate payment
arrangements when necessary and scholarships for services
are available.
Clients will not be denied service based on their ability
to pay.
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Who supports DCAC?
Support for DCAC comes from an array of sources including
individual, corporate contributions, foundation grants,
government funds, special events, third party payer’s
(i.e. insurance and Medicaid) and limited program revenue.
The Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center League produces
two annual special events, A Night at Lone Star Park, and
the Togs & Tots Bingo Luncheon, adding significant revenue
to DCAC.
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How is DCAC structured?
DCAC is an incorporated, 501-c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization
governed by a volunteer board of trustees. The DCAC staff
consists of thirty-two (32) skilled direct service and nonprofit
management professionals. An interagency agreement and Investigative
Protocol between DCAC, Dallas County and Local Law Enforcement
agencies, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office,
Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, the Department
of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center, and Child Protective Services guides the multidisciplinary
team.
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Where are you located?
The Center is located at 3611 Swiss Avenue.
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Are there similar centers already
established in Texas or in this country?
DCAC is one of the first advocacy centers to be established
in Texas. There are 61 centers of varying size and scope
of services in Texas and more than 375 advocacy centers
throughout the country accredited by the National Children's
Alliance.
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What type of services does the
Center provide for a child abuse victim?
Multidisciplinary Team Approach: a highly trained team
comprised of a police detective, assistant district attorney,
Child Protective Services caseworker, forensic interviewer,
therapist, and consulting physician (when required) manage
each child’s case. This team works together to investigate
allegations of child abuse and to protect the child.
Forensic Interviews: Forensic interviews are conducted
in an age appropriate room, with emphasis on the child’s
comfort, minimal number of interviews, and proper evidence
collection.
Therapeutic Services: DCAC offers child victims and non-offending
caregivers with needed treatment by experienced therapists.
A variety of treatment models are utilized including cognitive,
play, and group therapy.
Victims Assistance is provided to DCAC clients and their
non-offending family members to help them understand their
rights as crime victims and access other community and government
resources.
Medical Services: Necessary medical exams are conducted
at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, REACH Clinic,
by specially trained pediatricians using a child sensitive
procedure.
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What are the advantages of joint
investigations of child abuse cases by Child Protective
Services and law enforcement?
Joint investigations offer increased and coordinated efforts,
which result in minimal interviewing of child victims, eliminates
duplication of work, and provides more efficient, thorough,
and immediate investigations.
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How are children referred to the
Center?
Children are primarily referred through the two agencies
that are mandated to receive reports of child abuse:Child
Protective Services and law enforcement.
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Who staffs the Center?
The DCAC staff consists of thirty-two (32) highly skilled
direct service and nonprofit management professionals led
by Lynn Davis, President and CEO.
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How can I become involved with
DCAC?
We would love the opportunity to show you the Center and
discuss how the Center can match your interests with DCAC’s
needs.
Many volunteer opportunities are available at DCAC for
individuals, groups, business teams, and other organizations.
Please contact Shari Markey, the Center’s Director
of Volunteers at 214.818.2633.
Financial contributions are of course always welcome and
our development office is available to discuss this with
you. Please conact Caryn Taurog, Director of Corporate and
Foundation Giving at 214.818.2615.
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How do I contact DCAC?
The Center’s main telephone number is (214) 818-2600.
The receptionist will be happy to direct your call to the
staff member who can best assist.
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