Child Advocacy Centers help children heal from abuse and neglect

For a child or youth who has experienced abuse or neglect, the path to healing can often feel scary and difficult. Entering the child welfare system often involves meeting with many different professionals who must assess safety and well-being. While these steps are essential, the repetitive interactions can make a young person relive their painful experiences multiple times.

Many children and youth also need specialized therapy to begin healing. In some cases, when their safety is at risk, they may face the possibility of being separated from their family, which can be as painful and traumatic as their maltreatment experience.

To help reduce trauma, Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) provide an environment in which young people can feel safe and supported. At the same time, the centers offer support, resources and guidance to the parents and caregivers so they can build the skills needed to create safe, stable and nurturing homes for their kids.

About the Colorado Children’s Alliance

For more than three decades, the Colorado Children’s Alliance has been dedicated to helping children, youth and their families heal from abuse and neglect. As a statewide nonprofit, the organization is fighting to end all forms of abuse through professional intervention and high-quality, evidence-based care.

Through its network of 19 member Child Advocacy Centers, the Alliance serves families across all 64 of Colorado’s counties. The organization’s work goes beyond crisis response to include public education, community awareness, policy advocacy, and the delivery of essential services, ensuring that every community has the tools to protect children and youth.

How Advocacy Centers Facilitate Healing

Child Advocacy Centers are designed to reduce trauma by bringing a Multi-Disciplinary Team into one child-friendly location. These teams include law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, medical providers, and mental health professionals. This collaborative approach reduces the number of times a child must share their traumatic experiences in an unfamiliar setting.

“Studies reveal that a child is more likely to share their experience when they feel physically and psychologically safe.” said Ashley Jellison, Executive Director of the Colorado Children Alliance. “By providing a single, comfortable location, we reduce the risk of re-traumatizing an already vulnerable child.”

Services Provided by Member Centers

Child Advocacy Centers offer a “one-stop” environment for children and their families for comprehensive and coordinated care. Services include:

1. Forensic Interview Services

Specially trained forensic interviewers conduct neutral, fact-finding interviews on behalf of law enforcement and Department of Human Services caseworkers. These interviews are designed to gather detailed information that can corroborate or refute allegations in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the child.

2. Specialized Medical Services

Child abuse pediatricians and forensic nurses provide complete physical exams and evidence collection. These are not just check-ups; they are sensitive, specialized exams that prioritize the child’s comfort and health.

3. Family and Victim Support

Abuse impacts the entire family. Family Support Advocates provide:

Crisis Intervention: Immediate support during the investigative process.
Case Tracking: Helping families navigate the complex court system.
Mental Health Treatment and Referrals: Trauma-focused mental health treatment through staff and community clinicians to ensure children and their families receive specialized, evidence-based care. Rigorous screening of community therapists to ensure families receive specialized, trauma-focused care.

4. Prevention and Training

CACs also work to prevent child abuse and neglect through educational outreach to teachers, parents, and communities to help them recognize signs of abuse and neglect and keep children safe.

Help Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse prevention is the responsibility of every Coloradan. Here’s how you can help:

Support families: Be a source of encouragement and support. There are more than 50 ways to help families, which include things as simple as checking in on a family or volunteering with local organizations.
Share resources: Connect families to professional support by sharing the 2025 CO4Kids Partner Organization List.
Learn the signs: Educate yourself and others about the signs of abuse and neglect by visiting the CO4Kids website.
Be their voice: If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call 844-CO-4-KIDS (844-264-5437). In case of an emergency call 911.

Together, through awareness, compassion and action, we can help ensure that every child in Colorado grows up safe, supported and protected.