HISTORY

Before obtaining funding for and establishing a program, a child advocacy center did not exist within a 50-mile radius of Pike County, Alabama. Sexual and physical abuse cases have had a profound effect on law enforcement and other local agencies. Previously, agencies would conduct investigations individually, making it difficult to track case outcomes on a group level. These agencies became aware of how prevalent the child abuse problem was and made a commitment to assist all groups who were involved with the cases. With the formation of a task force in April 2002, the community made a commitment to address these problems and find a solution. Through careful study and a needs assessment through the Pike County Children’s Policy Council, it was determined that the formation of a child advocacy center would help to eliminate these problems and meet the needs of victimized children and their families. Thus, the PRCAC was formed with the commitment to meet these needs.

The PRCAC was implemented to assist local agencies with child abuse investigations. With the formation of a PRCAC Board of Directors in July of 2003, receiving 501©3 status documentation in September 2003, and the formation of a multidisciplinary team in October 2003, the PRCAC began achieving its dreams. Fundraising began, grants were written, a publicity campaign started to educate the community, staff was hired, and a facility was located by April of 2005.  In 2005, the team began to staff cases to try to better coordinate efforts more efficiently and effectively. Along with the PRCAC Board of Directors, the Multidisciplinary Team established an investigative protocol and interagency agreement.

The PRCAC focuses on what is best for the child and always exhibits the utmost respect for the children and their families with a consortium of coordinated services. As caring and compassionate professionals, the PRCAC demands the highest ethical standards from all staff, team members, and volunteers, while maintaining a positive and inviting atmosphere. The PRCAC has committed to reaching out to all populations to offer services to anyone in need. It also contacts the surrounding counties through meetings with child protective services and law enforcement offices. Since the formation of the PRCAC, there has been tremendous improvement in the services offered by all the involved agencies in the community. This affects all members of the community, not just clients served by the PRCAC. Community members have benefited from these combined efforts as the doors are open to everyone.

The PRCAC has successfully served clients for years. The PRCAC is qualified to continue addressing the child abuse problem, servicing clients since 2005. The PRCAC assists with identifying the problem of abuse by helping assist clients disclose the problem in a child-friendly environment, working with the child to overcome the problem.