Advocacy Program

The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center’s (CCAC) Advocacy Program is critical to the success of child sexual abuse investigations and to helping children and families receive compassionate services at the Center. Family advocates provide support and assistance to children and families experiencing the trauma of child sexual abuse. The advocate educates families about the roles of each of the investigating agencies at the Center, how the investigation will proceed, and the systems that are in place to help children and families who are experiencing a crisis. Advocates inform families about the Illinois Attorney General’s Crime Victim’s Compensation program, which provides financial assistance to victims of violent crimes and will aid the families with the necessary paperwork. Advocates meet with the family to review their situation and discuss counseling services, medical care, housing, domestic violence, safety concerns, mental health, educational issues, employment, financial assistance, food and clothing needs. Based on the family’s needs, the advocates provide the names and phone numbers of the support services located close to the family’s home. The advocates also make follow-up phone calls and in some cases home visits to families after their appointment at the CCAC to check on the overall status of the family for a minimum of 30 days. Services are available in English, Spanish and Polish. In the event that a child or parent has special needs, a health advocate or a clinical advocate will be assigned to the case, rather than a general family advocate. When a child receives a medical examination at the CCAC, a medical advocate will provide services to the family while working with the medical clinic.