The Child Advocacy Program has been awarded re-accreditation by National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and site review process.

As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country, the National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with the National Children’s Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.

CAP’s mission is to end child abuse in Chautauqua County. When abuse occurs, CAP coordinates a community response. More than 10 years ago, CAP was started under the umbrella of the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office. In 2008, CAP became a 501c3 and moved into space in Jamestown. In 2015, CAP opened a satellite office in Fredonia which recently moved to 425 Main St., Dunkirk.

Fourteen staff are employed at CAP and provide a variety of services: advocacy, forensic interviews, bilingual services, and trauma-informed mental health services. Recently, CAP became the home of the county’s Safe Harbour project working with at-risk and trafficked youth. As an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance, the Child Advocacy Program is dedicated to providing comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate services to victims of child abuse.

“As an organization/team of individuals dedicated to responding to child abuse, we recognize the importance of maintaining Accredited status from the National Children’s Alliance,” said Beth Oakes, CAP executive director. “Re-accreditation not only validates our organization’s dedication to proven effective approaches of child abuse intervention and prevention but also contributes to consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole.”

For more information about the Child Advocacy Program, visit www.capjustice.org or follow the organization on Facebook or Instagram (capjustice).