Services Offered at Foothills Child Advocacy Center
Forensic Interview
A forensic interview with the alleged child victim is the first step in a child maltreatment investigation. A forensic interview is a process where a child is given the opportunity to make a statement about what happened in a safe, supportive environment. The child is questioned in a legally-sound, developmentally appropriate manner by a trained professional. Members of the multi-disciplinary team that have jurisdiction over the case observe the interview as it is taking place. Interviews are digitally recorded, reducing the number of times children need to be interviewed, therefore reducing trauma to the child. Information gathered in the forensic interview is used to help make decisions about protection, prosecution and treatment. Foothills CAC provides forensic interviews for the following areas: Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Greene, Buckingham, Louisa, Madison, and Orange.
Prevention & Education
Foothills works to prevent further victimization of children by educating parents and organizations about child abuse. Foothills provides education about the advocacy center and the multidisciplinary team model to the community and sponsors Stewards of Children, a program which provides adults the knowledge of how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
Multidisciplinary Team Coordination
Foothills Child Advocacy Center is proud to work with a team of professionals in Charlottesville and Albemarle County dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators and to the support and treatment of child victims and their non-offending caretakers. The multidisciplinary team meets monthly to communicate and collaborate on child maltreatment cases. Cases are reviewed beginning with the victim’s initial outcry through investigation, treatment and prosecution. Communication within the team reduces duplication and keeps victims from falling through the cracks.
