"We will have met success when every child has access to the services of an accredited Children's Advocacy Center".

 

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The Center for Alexandria's Children
CACVA Application Date

 
Address

1900 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA  22311
Center Contact Giselle L. Pelaez, Executive Director
gpelaez@centerforalexandriaschildren.org
(v) 703-838-4381
(f) 703-933-1380
Website www.centerforalexandriaschildren.org
Center Opening Date April, 2007
NCA Affiliation Status Developing
Jurisdictions Served

  • City of Alexandria

Services Provided

  • Multidisciplinary response to child abuse/neglect cases

  • Crisis counseling

  • Trauma Treatment

  • Advocacy Services

  • Prevention programs: community awareness, parenting classes, and playgroups
Description of Governance

50l(c)(3)

Mission Statement

 The Center protects children and strengthens families by coordinating the investigation, prosecution, treatment and prevention of child abuse in one safe, child-friendly facility. We are a public-private partnership dedicated to one purpose: the elimination of child abuse in the City of Alexandria.

History

 Planning for the Center began after the tragic death in 2000 of a child who was murdered by her mother’s boyfriend shortly after being returned to her mother’s custody. A public-pricate group was convened to examine child welfare practices in the City and selected the nationally recognized Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model as the best hope of preventing future tragedies. In 2004, the Alexandria Community Trust committed funds, recruited a Board of Directors, and equipped a child-friendly facility. In 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Police, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and the City Department of Human Services (DHS). This MOU was revised and expanded in 2007 to include the Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Substance Abuse (MH). The Center for Alexandria’s Children was incorporated in November, 2006 and opened in April, 2007.