What We Do

Since 1999, the Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center has worked to improve our community’s response to child abuse: a true public-private partnership.

The mission of the Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center is to provide justice, hope and healing to children and their families through a collaborative response to child abuse, which includes awareness, prevention, and protection.

Justice

Our Forensic Interviewers conduct developmentally and culturally sound interviews with children who have experienced or witnessed crimes, supporting law enforcement and CPS investigations for crimes against children while ensuring each child’s disclosure is handled with care and professionalism. We facilitate between law enforcement, CPS, prosecutors, medical professionals and mental health providers to ensure a coordinated, victim-centered response to crimes against children investigations throughout Ellis County.

Hope

Our Family Advocacy Program provides hope through support and information for caregivers about the center and the criminal justice process. The Family Advocate provides crisis intervention and an assessment of needs, information about Victims Compensation and assists with completing the Victim Compensation Application, and makes referrals to other community resources such as for food or clothing, for example. The Family Advocate makes referrals and provides information about free mental health services available to them. Advocates also maintain contact with the family throughout the investigative and prosecutorial process and offers support such as court accompaniment.

Healing

Our Mental Health Program provides trauma-informed mental health assessment and treatment for children and non-offending caregivers free of charge. Services include therapeutic sessions for child victims, siblings and caregivers.

Our center offers Child-Centered Play Therapy, Family Therapy, Educational and Support groups for children and parents.

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“The Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center is where the healing begins.”
— Julie Pierce, Board President

2019 Annual Report