Services

Services We Provide

The River Valley Child Advocacy Center provides five components of services to suspected child abuse victims and non -offending adults in charge of their care: Forensic Interviewing, Advocacy, Mental Health, Medical Examinations and Prevention and Education.

Forensic Interviewing

A Forensic Interview is a fact-finding interview conducted by a specially trained professional at the request of law enforcement or Child Protective Services. They are designed to provide children the opportunity to disclose abuse to a neutral party in a setting that is more comfortable for the child than traditional interview rooms. Each interview is video recorded so that the child does not have to retell the detailed story of their trauma to multiple people throughout the process of investigation. The recorded interviews can be provided to law enforcement or Child Protective Services.

RVCAC Forensic Interview room

Advocacy

The time of disclosure of abuse to the end of the legal process can sometimes take months or years. The River Valley Child Advocacy Center provides support for the child and his/her family throughout the process through advocates! Advocates greet the families when they come to the center, walk them through the process, inquire needs that they may have, and work to connect them to such resources (counseling, clothing, food, etc.). Family support also takes form in working collaboratively with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure the client's voice is heard.

Family Advocate, Nickie Johnson

Mental Health

Specialized mental health services are made available as part of the team response to children. Our Counselors use Trauma Focused Therapy, an evidence based practice that addresses children's/adolescent's needs, equips them with skills to process and cope with their experiences and respond to them in a positive way.

The RVCAC also offers counseling for the non-offending caregivers of our clients!

Brandi Rogers, Trauma Focused Therapist

Medical Examinations

Sometimes children need to have a medical examination due to abuse allegations. Medicals are offered on site, at not cost to the families. It’s purpose is to help ensure the health and safety of the child while addressing medical conditions potentially resulted from abuse, collect evidence, and provide treatment. These specialized medical evaluations and treatments are conducted by certified sexual assault examination nurses who are specially trained working with children. These exams are also designed to be noninvasive for the child, compared to standard sexual assault exams that adults receive, by using colposcope technology. The RVCAC medical team is partnered with Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Nekeitha Freeman, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner

Prevention and Education

At the River Valley Child Advocacy Center, we believe it is our job to educate our community on the signs of child abuse and do our best to prevent abuse from happening. The Education and Prevention component of the CAC gives us the opportunity to go into schools, child care facilities, churches, businesses, and other community organizations to provide information on the River Valley Child Advocacy Center. We can provide different prevention programs to children of all ages, as well as Mandated Reporter training and other education programs for adults.

RVCAC will meet the needs of each individual organization. While we are still in the process of building this component, each organization may choose what programs are presented to their students and or staff. Please feel free to inquire about program availability.
Haleigh@rivervalleycac.com

Haleigh Austin (Child Abuse Education Specialist) presenting in the schools.

B.A.C.A (Bikers Against Child Abuse)

B.A.C.A Mission Statement
Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.

A Look Inside!

River Valley CAC
2206 Red Hill Lane
Russellville, AR 72802

479-498-4747

Executive Director: Marilyn Sanders
Email: Marilyn@rivervalleycac.com