Children’s Advocacy Center of Hernando County

About Us

 

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;
  • Private/public contributions; and,
  • Annual Designer Purse Bingo Fundraiser.

Services Available

  • Multi-Disciplinary Team Response
  • Advocacy and Case Management
  • Forensic Interviews
  • Forensic Medical Exams
  • Trauma Therapy

 

Complete A Quick Application

All applications for services must be filled out completely and include the required documents in order to be processed. Incomplete applications will be denied. Please read this important information before submitting an application for assistance.

Documents needed for assistance include:
• Valid photo identification for all household members 18 years of age and older
• Electric bill for each month requesting payment (if you do not have copies of your electric bill for each month you are past due, contact your energy supplier or create a login account on their website to obtain them)
• Social Security cards (for all household members)
• Birth certificates for all children living in the household
• Proof of income (any income received – i.e. child support, cash assistance, etc.)
• SNAP (food stamp) award or denial letter. and
• Lease (if applicable).

You Thrive Florida staff will never ask clients for personal information to “update You Thrive Florida payroll records” as part of the application process. If you receive an email with this request please contact us immediately to report the request.

Contact Us

We look forward to helping answer any questions you may have. We invite you to complete the form and a representative will reach out to you.

Let's Get Started