Greetings from the Children’s Advocacy Center

        Greetings from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lawrence County, Inc., a child-focused agency where a multidisciplinary team of local professionals work together to coordinate the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of all child abuse cases in Lawrence County. The Center is also home to a new program called, “Family Footsteps”, that provides a continuum of services to pre- and post-natal parents in an effort to promote healthy deliveries, and positive development of infants and children.

          The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a private, non-profit agency under the direction of Jameson Health System.  The CAC provides a comfortable, child-friendly environment where child abuse professionals are able to meet with children and their family members when a child abuse case is reported.

          The multidisciplinary team (MDT) is comprised of representatives from Lawrence County Children and Youth Services, the District Attorney’s Office, Women’s Shelter/Rape Crisis Center, Human Services Center, Inc., and Family Health Council, Inc.  This past June, the members of the team were recognized for their commitment and dedication to the children of Lawrence County at the New Castle Rotary’s Awards and Recognition Celebration.

          Lawrence County’s multidisciplinary team has also been recognized as leaders by surrounding counties and state organizations across the state, such as the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Institute and Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.  Representatives of the team have presented statewide and to surrounding counties about “best practices” for those looking to start and maintain effective multidisciplinary teams or CACs.  The team has also had the opportunity to travel to other counties to provide mentoring services and to provide a hands-on look at how the multidisciplinary team in Lawrence County functions.