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.
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.
The Children’s Advocacy Center is funded through a variety of sources including:
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.
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.
