Children’s Advocacy Center Moves To North Market Street

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County (CACHC) has relocated from Vine Street to 419 North Market St., where they occupy the first floor of the building.

Officials said the North Market Street facility offers greater accessibility to clients and the public will allow the CACHC to best address the needs of alleged child abuse victims within the community.

Plans to sell the Vine Street property are under development and will be announced soon.

The CACHC is dedicated to serving children who are alleged victims of sexual or severe physical abuse through prevention, education and intervention.

Since opening their doors in 1991, the CACHC has served over 7,000 child victims and conducted more than 5,000 abuse prevention education sessions.

The CACHC continues to provide a central and child-friendly location for alleged victims of child abuse in Hamilton County and the surrounding counties in Southeast Tennessee. Forensic interviews, medical exams in partnership with Children’s Hospital at Erlanger, counseling, and family advocacy services are all offered on-site and at no cost to the family. The CACHC also partners with local law enforcement, the Department of Children’s Services, the District Attorney’s office, and Juvenile Court by coordinating the multi-disciplinary team of professionals who investigate child abuse allegations.

The CACHC is fully accredited by the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), with its most recent accreditation review in September 2009. Accredited membership in NCA requires that centers meet ten rigorous standards. These standards ensure effective, efficient, and consistent delivery of services. The CACHC receives grant funding at the federal, state, and local levels. Annually the agency raises approximately half of its operating budget to match those government grants.

Last fiscal year, the Center collaborated with the multi-disciplinary team which investigated nearly 700 child abuse allegations, provided direct services to 430 children, and made abuse prevention presentations to more than 9,000 individuals. For more information on the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County or to make a donation, please visit www.cachc.org.