The Children’s Advocacy Center Of Jackson County’s Intake Department conducts forensic interviews and provides support services through the Family Support Team.  The Family Support Team is launching a new initiative in March aimed at engaging the youth we serve and their non-offending caregivers early in CAC treatment services. The Early Engagement Enhancement or E3 is a screening tool that  will be administered through our Family Support Case Managers. This screening process recognizes that families in crisis are overwhelmed.  Most caregivers do not understand how treatment can benefit their child in their recovery process.  By engaging caregivers early in the investigative process, this project aims at increasing access to  and engagement in appropriate, trauma informed, evidenced based treatment. 

In a collaborative effort with our Therapy Department we started the Parent Academy. Parent Academy is a six week psycho-educational group.  We have completed the first year of offering the academy to parents to learn about recognizing and responding to trauma, and add tools to their toolbox to assist in their child’s healing process.  This year we are hoping to offer the Parent Academy more frequently.