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National Children’s Alliance recognizes Family & Children’s Place program for its ongoing delivery of high quality and effective services to child abuse victims through accreditation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 15, 2015) – The Kosair Charities Child Advocacy Center (KCCAC), a  program of Family & Children’s Place, has been re-accredited by the National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process.

As the accrediting agency for child advocacy centers (CAC) across the country, National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers that respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service.

Accredited CACs must undergo a re-accreditation every five years – and accreditation standards were updated in 2010 – so re-accreditation reflects the KCCAC’s commitment to providing evidence-based methods practice.

Kosair Charities Child Advocacy Center houses trauma-informed counselors, the Crimes Against Children Unit of Metro Police, Child Protective Services, a Commonwealth’s Attorney office and physicians from the University of Louisville School of Medicine dedicated to preventing and prosecuting child abuse and helping child survivors and their families heal. Last year the KCCAC helped more than 1,300 children injured by abuse.

As an Accredited Member of National Children’s Alliance, the KCCAC is dedicated to providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse.

National Children’s Alliance awards Accredited Membership based on a CACs compliance with 10 national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims.

Accredited Members must utilize a functioning and effective Multidisciplinary Team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution, and treatment. National Children’s Alliance also considers standards regarding a center’s cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and child focused setting.

“Family & Children’s Place is committed to protecting children and families and helping them heal, so this re-accreditation validates the KCCAC’s singular expertise and dedication to delivering proven effective approaches to child abuse intervention and prevention,” said Pam Darnall, president and CEO.

“Family & Children’s Place and its Kosair Charities Child Advocacy Center are to be commended for its continued commitment to effectively serve victims of child abuse,” said Teresa Huizar, executive director of National Children’s Alliance. “As the national association and accrediting body for Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country, our goal is to ensure that every victim of child abuse has access to high quality services that result from professional collaboration.

“By requiring accredited centers to undergo re-accreditation every five years, we ensure that evidence-based practices are being implemented and the highest quality of service is being provided.”

For more information about Family & Children’s Place, visit www.famchildplace.org.

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About Family & Children’s Place
Family & Children’s Place protects Kentuckiana children, families and communities from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and helps move them from hurting to healing.  We serve nearly 5,000 children and families annually through trauma-informed and impact-evident services.  For more information about Family and Children’s Place, visit www.famchildplace.org or call 502-893-3900.

National Children’s Alliance is the national association and accrediting body for the more than 750 children’s advocacy centers serving each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first, National Children’s Alliance provides support and advocacy to its accredited membership, as well as numerous developing centers, multidisciplinary teams and child abuse professionals around the country, and the world. As the national authority on multidisciplinary approaches to supporting child victims of abuse, the purpose of National Children’s Alliance is to empower local communities to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse. Founded in 1998, National Children’s Alliance provides accreditation opportunities, financial assistance, training, technical assistance, research and education to communities, child abuse professionals and children’s advocacy centers throughout the United States in support of child abuse intervention, advocacy and prevention. www.nationalchildrensalliance.org