Child Advocacy Center Opens in Cumberland County
The distance a child in central Cumberland County suspected of being abused must travel to receive a medical examination just decreased significantly. UPMC Children’s Advocacy Center of Central PA opened a satellite office in Carlisle on Friday November 4th. Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) coordinate the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases by utilizing multidisciplinary teams of professionals involved in child protective and victim advocacy services, law enforcement and prosecution, and physical and mental health.
Cumberland County District Attorney Seán M. McCormack explains, “In other words, rather than have a child visit multiple offices and professionals, the professionals come to the child at the CAC.” At a CAC, the child is interviewed by a specialist trained in child development and who only asks developmentally appropriate questions. The interview is observed by police and a Children and Youth caseworker sparing the child from having to endure multiple interviews. The child also receives a medical exam during their visit to the center. Finally, the new Carlisle CAC will offer mental health services to the child.
“It’s basically a one stop shop.” -McCormack
The new center is a satellite office of Central PA’s main CAC located on North 3rd Street in Harrisburg. Founded in 1994, the UPMC CAC of Central PA, was one of the first CACs founded in Pennsylvania. District Attorney McCormack was one of the founding organizers of the original Harrisburg CAC (formerly known as the Children's Resource Center). The Childrens Resource Center was a huge advancement in the area of child abuse investigations and prosecutions. The CAC of Central PA has long been one of the leading Child Advocacy Centers in Pennsylvania.
“It is a great honor to see the CAC physically expand into Cumberland County. The UPMC CAC’s Harrisburg location has for a long time served the children of Cumberland County but there was a definite need to finally open a center here in Cumberland County. While travelling to Harrisburg for West Shore residents was not really a problem, the trip to Harrisburg for families from other areas in central and western Cumberland County, could be daunting and quite stressful.” -McCormack
