Washtenaw Child Advocacy Center

Mission: To support, protect, and advocate.

The Washtenaw Child Advocacy Center (WCAC) is a child-focused program of Catholic Charities Washtenaw County in which the county prosecutor’s office, local law enforcement agencies, mental health, medical professionals, and victim advocates work together to conduct forensic interviews and make team decisions about the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child sexual abuse, child physical abuse and child witnesses to violence cases. Through a collaborative partnership, the Washtenaw Child Advocacy Center provides a child focused environment and services to meet the needs of abused children.

The Washtenaw Child Advocacy Center (WCAC) is a program designed to better serve the needs of abused children and assist county agencies in improving the management of child sexual abuse cases. The goal is to reduce the trauma to a child by providing a more thorough and coordinated investigation and expanding the treatment process. The WCAC provides:

• A single interview process for the child
  This reduces unnecessarily asking for the same information multiple times
• One physical exam
  Examinations are conducted by qualified doctors who specialize in treating children
• Crisis counseling and support
  Support for the child and the non-offending family members

Families are referred to the WCAC for forensic interviews by Law Enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services – Children’s Protective Services.

All services of the Washtenaw Child Advocacy Center are provided at one child-friendly site at no cost to the family.

The Washtenaw Child Advocacy Center (WCAC) is looking for adults to greet and support children and families when they receive services at the WCAC. Volunteers supervise children while caregivers meet with agency professionals and may assist the caregivers while children are being interviewed or are participating in counseling.

Training is provided and background checks will be completed on all potential volunteers. We ask that people commit to at least a 4-hour shift a week for at least 4 months. If interested, please contact the WCAC to schedule a tour and to pick up our application packet. Thank you!