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Children’s Advocacy Center outlines investigative and therapy services, aims to expand county coverage
Summary
Greg Graham of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas described Hope House, CASA, family and youth services, and therapy aims, saying the CAC serves multiple counties with a single‑interview investigative model and works to get kids into therapy quickly (target: within 10 days).
Greg Graham, with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater West Texas, gave a detailed overview of CAC programs including CASA (court‑appointed special advocates), Hope House (forensic interview center), family and youth services, outreach and therapy. Graham described the CAC’s investigative, co‑located model in which a trained interviewer talks with a child once while law enforcement, CPS and prosecutors observe, and he said that model reduces re‑traumatization and improves prosecutorial clarity.
Graham emphasized therapy as a growth area, saying the CAC aims to have children plugged in with a therapist within about 10 days of request and that evidence‑based, time‑limited treatments are used to reduce symptoms and prevent revictimization. “Our mission is every child, to ensure every child in our community has a safe and nurturing home,” Graham said. He noted the CAC serves multiple counties and that county support helps the center secure additional foundation grants and match funding.
No county action was taken during the presentation; commissioners thanked the CAC and indicated support for continued partnership.
