Our purpose is to alleviate the trauma children experience once a disclosure of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse occurs by creating a community of collaborating advocates. 

Vision:  
Our vision is a community where children live in a safe and nurturing environment free from sexual and physical abuse.

Mission:  
We collaborate with community partners to respond to and prevent child abuse.

CAC Highlights:

• Based on national best practice and research, the CAC was founded in 1993 by a group of concerned local professionals seeking to coordinate services provided to child abuse victims and their families. 
• The CAC provides a safe and child-friendly environment where professionals from community agencies come together to interview, investigate and provide support for abused children and their families. 
• The CAC reduces the number of interviews for child victims of abuse by providing specially trained professionals to conduct forensic interview in a centralized location.
• The CAC secures local, specialized medical evaluations for child abuse victims by highly-trained medical personnel. Prior to the establishment of the CAC, victims had to travel to UNC-Chapel Hill or Duke for exams.
• The CAC provides mental health therapy sessions to child victims of abuse, including both individual and group counseling.
• The CAC coordinates Multidisciplinary Team case reviews where professionals from multiple agencies come together to plan the best course of legal and supportive action for the child abuse victim. These agencies include law enforcement, medical care, mental health, military family services, social work, child protective services, the District Attorney’s office, victim advocacy, education systems and Guardian ad Litem.
• National research has determined that this type of coordinated approach can help alleviate trauma for children, increase the prosecution rate of perpetrators, and be fiscally beneficial to the community.  It is estimated that the CAC approach saves the community approximately $600,000 per year.
• In fiscal year 2021, 959 reported cases of child abuse were referred to the CAC.
• The CAC also provides continuing education to professionals who serve child abuse victims and education for the public including:
• Darkness-to-Light Stewards of Children training to educate parents, grandparents and everyone who works with children on how to recognize, prevent and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training for professionals and organizations on how to recognize the signs of child abuse and how to report suspicions of child abuse.
• The CAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is funded through the generosity of corporate, state, organization and foundation grants; corporate and individual donations; in-kind contributions; and event sponsorships. There is no charge for most of the services that the CAC provides.

This is a multi-faceted position responsible for leading, managing, sustaining, and growing the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). The Executive Director coordinates, schedules, and directs all CAC activities or supervises staff assigned to these functions. Grant writing and fundraising are a significant component of the position. The person in this position evaluates and develops strategies to maintain interagency coordination and cooperation in the management of child victimization cases. The Executive Director maintains an excellent working relationship with the CAC Board members, its officers and committee members, and assists the CAC Board in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.

Essential Job Functions:

• Program Development and Evaluation:
  • Develop and recommend specific written short- and long-range plans for development of programs and services to the Board
  • Provide an ongoing forum for multidisciplinary problem solving and planning
  • Coordinate the activities of the CAC with other professionals and organizations
  • Stay abreast of current local, state and national issues important to the development of effective programs and services.
  • Evaluates the agency’s services and recommends and provides input regarding program and service improvements
  • Oversee the development, enforcement and modification of operation procedures
• Disseminate information to the community and agencies regarding the mission and activities of CAC via public relations programs including personal contact and written materials
• Maintain appropriate working relationship with the Board and its Committees
• Report regularly to the Board about the agency activities and finances
• Render technical and professional assistance to the Board and its Committees
• Develop and maintain highly effective interagency programs
• Maintain positive and appropriate relations with other professional and social service groups in the community
• Serve as a professional representative of the CAC in the community and to related agencies
• Perform all duties in a culturally and linguistically competent manner
• Ensure the financial well being of CAC by grant writing, grant management, fundraising and financial management
• Update and maintain professional knowledge and credentials
• Responsible for overseeing the day-to- day operations of the Center to include management of staff, hiring of staff and firing of staff
• Ensures the CAC remains in compliance with NCA and NC State accreditation standards
• Oversight and management of the accreditation or reaccreditation process
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities that may be assigned or changed with or without notice

Mental Demands Related to Essential Job Functions:

• Ability to establish and maintain favorable working relationships with Board of Directors, community groups, associates, staff and general public is essential.
• Ability to multitask
• Ability to work as team player
• Ability to work in a professional manner
• Knowledge of family dynamics where abuse and/or neglect is or has been presen
• Knowledge of the stages of child development
• Ability to maintain strict standards of confidentiality
• Skills in providing crisis intervention services
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good computer skills
• Ability to establish rapport with children of all ages

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a health sciences or allied health field or Bachelor’s degree with significant experience in health or human services
• Management skills necessary to conduct the financial, personnel and administrative duties of a social service agency.
• Considerable knowledge of community resources and services available to children and families.
• Demonstrated life experiences which show strong empathy for children, in particular abused children, a desire to improve their quality of life, and commitment to become knowledgeable about the effective treatment of child abuse.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Grant writing experience  
• Previous experience working in the area of child abuse in a criminal justice or social service agency
• Master’s Degree

CAC has retained Capital Development Services to assist with professional recruitment.  Candidates should include a cover letter, a resume, and a list of three references.  All material will be confidential.  Review of applications will begin upon receipt of required materials. Additional inquiries may be directed to Jen Tozier at Capital Development Services: [email protected]