Louisiana Alliance of Childrens Advocacy Centers

LACAC’s stated mission is to promote and support Children’s Advocacy Centers in providing a coordinated multidisciplinary response to child victims of abuse through development, training, and advocacy. Its website describes CACs as coordinating investigations, treatment, and prosecution through teams that can include law enforcement, child protection, prosecutors, victim advocates, and medical and mental-health professionals.

LACAC’s 2024 filing says it funds CACs in Louisiana that are fully accredited through the National Children’s Alliance or actively working toward accreditation under its standards. Support is contingent on a center maintaining good standing with LACAC and the accreditation process; funds may be reallocated to other eligible Louisiana CACs if a center loses or forgoes accreditation or ceases operations. The filing also describes funding for organizational capacity and quality assurance, a care-coordination model for child and youth victims of human trafficking, statewide capacity to serve trafficking victims, and staff professional development and CAC training.

Among the 2024 grantees, Child Advocacy Services says its work gives voice, healing, and security to children in ten southeastern Louisiana parishes through its CASA program, children’s advocacy program, and prevention education. Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center says it serves abused children and non-offending family members through forensic interviews, therapy, and family advocacy. Gingerbread House says it works to prevent child abuse, advocate for affected children and families, and assist in the legal process.