When a child speaks up about abuse, what happens next matters.
They deserve people who know how to help, access to care that can help them heal, and a community prepared to support them.
Behind that response is a national network working to strengthen how communities respond to child abuse.
Across the country, Children’s Advocacy Centers bring together the professionals who help children and families after abuse. NCA strengthens the network behind them—providing training, mental health resources, standards, research, advocacy and the tools CACs need to respond to children today and prepare for what comes next.
A coordinated response, built around the child
When abuse is reported, children and families can suddenly find themselves navigating law enforcement, child protective services, medical care, mental health services and the legal system.
A Children’s Advocacy Center brings those professionals together so they can coordinate their response around the needs of the child and family.
At a CAC, a child can talk with a trained forensic interviewer in a safe, child-focused environment. A multidisciplinary team—including law enforcement, child protective services, medical and mental health professionals, prosecutors and victim advocates—works together to determine how best to respond and connect the child and family with needed services.
961 Children’s Advocacy Centers
365,140 Children Served in 2025
2.5 million people provided child abuse prevention training and messaging
National reach. Local impact.
A child’s experience with a Children’s Advocacy Center happens in their community. But the knowledge, standards, training and resources that help CACs do their work can be shared across the country.
National Children’s Alliance is the national association and accrediting body for the Children’s Advocacy Center network. NCA supports CACs and state chapters through accreditation, training and technical assistance, mental health resources, research, advocacy, data and national leadership.
That national work takes many forms—from expanding access to training and expertise in rural communities to helping professionals strengthen their response, identifying emerging needs across the field, and connecting communities to share knowledge and what works. It all serves a local purpose: strengthening the capacity of communities to respond so children and families can access the support they need, wherever they live.
Advancing Better Outcomes for Every Child
Every child deserves the same compassionate, coordinated response - regardless of where they live.
Training the Experts Children Need
NCA trains professionals in forensic interviewing, victim advocacy, multidisciplinary teamwork, evidence-based mental health care and more.
Advocating for Children and Safer Communities
NCA advocates for children, informs national conversations and supports prevention efforts that help communities better protect children.
More About NCA and the CAC Model
Children’s Advocacy Centers are part of a nationwide network working every day to help children and families after abuse.
Learn more about the CAC model, explore NCA’s work and outcomes, learn about efforts to prevent child abuse and promote safety, or find a Children’s Advocacy Center in your community.
- Learn More About the CAC Model
- Explore NCA’s Outcomes
- Prevent Child Abuse and Promote Safety
- Find a CAC