Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County

Forensic and Advocacy services ("fas"): this program provides direct intervention in child sexual abuse cases through coordination of multidisciplinary investigation, crisis intervention for victims, court preparation, counseling, and extensive follow-up and case tracking. The forensic interview is a critical part of not only the initial investigation but also the criminal prosecution. Support groups provide ongoing support for nonoffending parents, caretakers, victims, and siblings through disclosure and intervention. Groups are both educational and supportive and always free of charge.

Safe from the start ("sfts"): this program is an effort to develop and implement coordinated community systems for preventing and responding to the harmful effects of exposure to violence on children from birth to age five. The project began at the national level and has since filtered down to state and local areas. Beginning in october 2000, the agency joined, as lead agency, forces with other area professionals to form a coalition that will focus on children and families living in the communities of hoffman estates, schaumburg, hanover park, and streamwood. The program now serves all of Northwest Cook County.

Mental health services ("mh"): this program is designed to provide a safe space for children and their families to begin the healing process after experiencing a traumatic event. The mh team is comprised of extensively trained and experienced trauma therapists who provide energy-based therapy. The goal of the program is to help clients process and resolve trauma, build resilience, and break cycles of violence. All therapy is free and offered in english or spanish. Staff accept both in-house and outside therapy referrals for clients who qualify based on an assessment screening.