$56,136 raised
100% complete
$50,000 Goal
Denver Children Advocacy Center's (DCAC) mission is to prevent abuse, strengthen families, and restore childhood. We work toward our mission through three-part continuum of care that includes community outreach, rapid response, and treatment and integrated services. We are with children and their non-offending family members every step of the way, from the moment a report of child abuse is made, through the criminal justice process, to healing through highly-specialized child trauma therapists. We strive to meet the needs of all traumatized children, as well as those at risk of abuse.
At DCAC we show up for kids every single day.
Our therapists show up and guide children through a healing process, holding space for whatever a child is going through.
The forensic interviewers and family advocates on our Rapid Response Team show up for kids every day to stand by children and their families through the evidence gathering and trial process related to the greatest traumas of their lives.
Our Community Outreach Team shows up for kids by teaching prevention programming in classrooms and community settings and leading groups and activities on DCAC’s campus.
Our Board members, volunteers, and donors show up for kids by dedicating their time and resources to further our mission.
Everyone has their role to play, and so do you. We depend on supporters like you to show up for kids.
Donate to DCAC on Colorado Gives Day to show your commitment for kids, and let kids in Denver know that we’re going to be there for them so they can heal, grow, and thrive.
For every $1 you donate, you can earn 70¢ back in tax credit. Your contribution of $250 or more to our early childhood and mental health training programs may qualify for a 50% Colorado Childcare Contribution Credit.
The Denver Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC) works to improve the lives of children traumatized by sexual abuse and violence-as well as those at risk-with prevention, education and direct services.
Our mission is to
- Prevent Abuse
- Strengthen Families
- Restore Childhood
We achieve this mission by providing a continuum of care that includes prevention programs, forensic interviews, assessment, mental health treatment, and family support in a safe, welcoming environment.
DCAC was founded in 1995 when a needs assessment confirmed that child victims "fell through the cracks" between investigators, prosecutors, human services and mental health agencies, and that the many interviews by different agencies added to the children's trauma.
Before child advocacy centers were created, child victims of crime often had to tell their stories to more than a dozen adults-police officers, prosecutors, doctors, and social workers. They could be shuttled all over town giving depositions, getting medical exams, and, if the family had no money to pay for treatment, be put on long waiting lists for free counseling services. Today, they come to our welcoming, child-friendly three-house campus on Federal Boulevard where all the services they need are available in one location. Our role as a Child Advocacy Center is what makes us unique.
DCAC coordinates the multidisciplinary team (MDT) of first responders to reports of child abuse in the Denver metro area. The MDT includes our colleagues in the Denver Police Department, Denver District Attorney's Office, and the Denver Department of Human Services. Denver Health joined the MDT in 2010 and is currently working with us to expand access to medical care for child victims.
We are the first responders to reports of child abuse in the Denver metro area-our staff are on call 24 hours a day/365 days a year to provide crisis management for child victims and their families and to support our colleagues in the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Children and their needs are at the center of our work-our partners on the MDT-police, prosecutors, social workers and medical staff-come to DCAC to mitigate the child's trauma and to ensure integration of services along our continuum of care.
DCAC has built a reputation for working successfully with high-risk families and our mission has expanded from forensic interviews and mental health treatment to include a growing focus on prevention, early intervention through off-site community partnerships, and community education and training for professionals.
Organization name
Denver Children's Advocacy Center
other names
DCAC
1995
Tax id (EIN)
84-1155873
Category
Mental Health & Crisis Intervention
Organization Size
Large Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Child Care Credit
Address
2149 Federal BlvdDenver County, CO, US