The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy is a nationally accredited child advocacy center (CAC) with a mission to champion the needs of sexually and severely physically abused children through prevention, intervention, therapy, and collaboration. From conducting the initial forensic interview, to supporting the family through their advocacy services, to then providing trauma-focused therapy treatment – they promote a comprehensive response for families in crisis. In addition, they focus on protective factors by providing statewide prevention education, professional trainings, and outreach. GCCA work intersects with families, caregivers, child welfare professionals, the juvenile justice system, law enforcement, school personnel, healthcare providers, and most importantly, youth themselves.
In 2006 with one staff person and one training program, GCCA launched a statewide prevention, education, and outreach initiative to prevent child abuse, reduce childhood trauma, and promote healthy outcomes in Georgia through a collaborative effort that equips adults and youth with awareness, education, and resources to take action. The Prevention and Education Team has since grown to a staff of eight, offering a wide variety of trainings and presentations. With the assistance of over 1,600 volunteer trainers and facilitators, GCCA has provided child abuse prevention trainings to over 200,000 Georgians in communities across the state.
Over the last three decades, GCCA has become a leader in the nation – helping lead both the response to and conversation surrounding childhood trauma and abuse. They have become a national mentor for other states wanting to start or expand prevention initiatives. They also publish the Georgia Technical Assistance and Resource Guide (TARG) which has become one of the most well-respected guides to choosing quality, effective prevention programs for youth in the country. GCCA is building a better world, one child at a time.
