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

Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol / Washington, VA, Inc.

P.O. Box 16231
Bristol, VA 24209

Accredited Member

• City of Bristol
• Washington County

Services Provided

• Child Counseling
• Family Counseling and Education
• Therapeutic GroupsFamily Camp
• Multi-disciplinary Team Interview Site
• Forensic Interviews
• Team Case Reviews
• Data Tracking
• Prevention Program

Mission Statement

To combat child sexual and severe physical abuse by coordinating investigative, intervention, treatment, and prosecutorial services for child victims and their families during the whole course of a child abuse case.  These services are provided in a child-friendly, safe environment where the child victim is the primary focus.

History

The CAC of Bristol/Washington Co. was chartered in April, 1997 and opened to serve child victims in August, 1998—becoming the first CAC in the state of Virginia.  This was made possible through the efforts of a Task Force initiated in early 1996 and composed of over 20 agencies and individuals conducting a Needs Assessment, visiting a CAC in Tennessee, and receiving technical assistance from SRCAC.  Services provided at the CAC in the beginning years included on-site interviewing, multidisciplinary team case review, case tracking, referrals to services, and victim advocacy.  Child counseling and Family counseling and education were added in 1999 and 2000 respectively.  The CAC moved to its permanent site at Preston’s Grove in September, 2001 after renovations were completed on the 150 year old historic home.  With the additional space in the new location, programs were expanded, and prevention activities, including the Happy Bear and Shaken Baby programs, were added in 2005 to the services available for children.