As the premier Child Advocacy Agency Center in the Finger Lakes Region, we are dedicated to giving children a voice and putting an end to abuse. Our comprehensive services offer support to children and families to help provide healing, education, and prevention.
About
About
As the premier Child Advocacy Center in the Greater Rochester Region, we are dedicated to giving children a voice and putting an end to abuse. Our comprehensive services offer support to children and families to help provide healing, education, and prevention.
Agency Video
Long before our Child Advocacy Center became a reality, the founding Executive Director, Mary Whittier, attended a conference in Albany in 1997 where the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) concept and model was presented. Soon after, initial conversations about bringing a CAC to Monroe County began.
Conversations began with directors and administrators from Rochester Police Department, Monroe County Sherrif Office, Monroe County District Attorney’s office, the mayor’s office, the Department of Social Services and Child Protective Services as well as Rape Crisis to discuss the feasibility of the CAC model and coordinating cases through a CAC. With everyone in agreement, the plans to create a CAC moved forward.
On August 1, 2024, we celebrate serving our community for twenty years with an acknowledgement of our growth of the number of children served and robust programs that we have developed and implemented for the healing and restoration of children in the Greater Rochester region. To best reflect this growth and who our agency is today, we are now The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester (CACGROC).
Between August 1, 2004, and today, the work of the CAC has continued to evolve and grow. Opening new doors to an independent facility in 2015 and adding key support services to round out the wrap around care needed to help children recover and restore families.
By 2002, a group of supporters and volunteers worked with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to become the lead agency of the CAC. With a generous donation from Lou and Kathie Bivona, the CAC was named Bivona Child Advocacy Center. We opened our doors to our first client on August 1, 2004.
Our History
Our Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
We give children a voice by advocating for them with trauma-informed, child-centered services across prevention, intervention, and healing. We create spaces where children can feel supported through adulthood and each step of their journey, while ensuring they do not experience re-traumatization.
Vision
A future where every child is secure and protected, leaving no room for abuse.
Values
Advocacy: We build bridges between survivors, families, professionals, and communities, giving children a voice and fostering a network of support and empowerment.
Belonging: We promote a culture where every person who walks through our doors feels welcomed, valued, respected, and accepted for who they are.
Safety: We prioritize physical, emotional, and mental safety by ensuring that all actions protect survivors and their families, ourselves, and those we interact with daily.
Hope: We understand that progress takes time, effort, and unwavering dedication, but ending child abuse and creating hope in our community is ultimately worth it.
Restoration: We facilitate healing and growth while tirelessly pursuing justice, driven by the belief that change is possible, even for the most wounded hearts.
Partner Agencies
Partner agencies are invaluable partners in the work of the CAC. Together, we are stronger, and together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in our communities.
Thank you to our partners for your unwavering commitment to protecting and advocating for children.
Our Commitment
We promote a culture of diversity and equity, welcoming all through our doors with the assurance of being respected and supported.
Our commitment to belonging emphasizes the importance of feeling connected and included. It entails welcoming and accepting people’s differences and identities. This promotes inclusivity and diversity in our space where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Strategy
The CAC is committed to fostering a culture where all members of our staff, team, and the children and families that we serve feel valued and that individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.
Training
All staff, board members, and multi-disciplinary team members will engage in DEI training throughout the year. Staff will receive at least 8 hours of DEI training every two years, per NCA Standards.
Culture
We will proactively seek feedback for improving processes and policies so aspects of one’s identity have no influence on how they fare within our organization. Our Cultural Competency Plan will be monitored and adjusted annually, based on new priorities, progress on objectives, and updated data on demographics and identified gaps in service from the communities that we serve.
Staffing
Human Resources will work with leaders in incorporating DEI considerations in all parts of the employee life cycle, including sourcing/recruitment, interviewing/screening, hiring, retention, mentorship, internal mobility, and succession planning, so that our team reflects the community that we serve.
External Brand
Everyone on our team is empowered to question and challenge anything they see (or fail to see) from an external communications standpoint that is not aligned with our DEI values. Human Resources (or DEIB designee) will work with the Marketing and Outreach team to develop/recommend culturally appropriate external messaging throughout the year that aligns with internal messaging.
Community
Our goal is that The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester’s Board of Directors will represent the community we serve. We will also seek opportunities to improve our participation in events and activities that promote DEIB, such as 21-Day Equity Challenges, Rochester PRIDE, cultural festivals, history months, etc.
Accountability
Leaders will be held accountable for creating measurable goals for their part in DEIB, as part of annual workplans and performance reviews. Human Resources will be responsible for creating and maintaining a monthly calendar for training and communications and leading the efforts to identify solutions to closing gaps in DEIB.
Strategy
Reports & Financials
We are committed to transparency, accountability, and stewardship of donor contributions. By providing clear and comprehensive financial information and sharing our impact stories, we strive to build trust, engage stakeholders, and demonstrate the value of our work in creating positive change.
Every child reacts differently. Your child may be physically and mentally tired after their appointment so do not be concerned if they do not want to talk at first. Your child may also seem relieved. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s behavior, please contact your Family Advocate.
Caregivers should not question their child about what has happened to them. If your child comes to you and wants to talk about it, listen and thank them for coming to you. If your child shares additional information, contact your Team Members to ensure any relevant information is being shared.
Your Family Advocate is able to answer questions about your child’s case and will confer with the other Team Members on your child’s case to ensure you have the most up-to-date information to best support your child.
Call 585-935-7800. A trained professional will provide the support, resources, and guidance you need to take the next step.
FAQs
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