The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) coordinates the investigation, prosecution, and healing services for child abuse cases in Hernando County. Each year, the CAC serves over 800 children and their non-offending family members who were: sexually abused, physically abused, victims of human trafficking, witnessed a violent crime, exposed to substance abuse, exposed to pornography, child pornography, and children who were neglected.
What We Do
The Children’s Advocacy Center is Hernando County’s only nationally recognized, fully accredited CAC. We provide a child-friendly, safe, supportive environment for assisting abused and neglected children and their non-offending family members. It brings together the Department of Children and Families, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office, the University of Florida Child Protection Team, mental health providers, and victim advocates to work cooperatively to investigate and treat child abuse.
About The Program
Who Is Eligible?
Children ages 0-17 who are victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, human trafficking, mental injury, drug endangered, who witness domestic violence, as well as adults who were sexually abused as children are eligible for services. Non-offending family members such as siblings, parents, or grandparents are also eligible for services.
Funding
The Children’s Advocacy Center is funded through a variety of sources including:
Florida Legislature appropriated funds, administered through the Florida Network for Children’s Advocacy Centers (FNCAC);
Victim’s of Crime Act (VOCA) funds administered by the Florida Office of the Attorney General;
United Way of Hernando County;
Department of Children and Families’ Trust Fund;
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles License support and Motor Vehicle Check-Off Registrations;