Child Advocacy - Charlottesville, Foothills Child Advocacy Center

Foothills CAC receives referrals from law enforcement and Child Protective Services in nine jurisdictions (Charlottesville City and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna. Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, and Orange). We conduct forensic interviews, provide family advocacy--connecting families to local services, mental health counseling and on-site forensic medical exams. Our multidisciplinary teams are made up of law enforcement officers, child protective service personnel, prosecutors, lawyers, advocates, mental health therapists and medical personnel. Communication within the teams reduces duplication and mistakes, and keeps victims from falling through the cracks. Foothills CAC provides a child-friendly, safe and neutral location in which law enforcement and Child Protective Services investigators may conduct and observe forensic interviews with children who are alleged victims of crimes, and where the child and non-offending family members receive support, crisis intervention and referrals for mental health and medical treatment. Foothills also conducts trainings for professionals and the public about child abuse issues and the coordinated approach to child abuse investigations.