is a Child Advocacy Center or CAC that assists victims of child abuse and their families throughout the child’s prosecution process. We offer many services as a CAC and work with other programs such as Family Safety and the Cherokee Indian Police Department to ensure the prosecution process is as gentle as possible for the child and their family. The center provides various services specializing in child related trauma, court, school, community prevention presentations, forensic interviews, trauma therapy for child victims, and family therapy for non-offending caregivers.

There are many different types of abuse and we offer services for all victims. Some of the most common types are as follows:

• Sexual Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Domestic Violence Exposure
• Substance Abuse Exposure
• Emotional Abuse
• Neglect

Client confidentiality is paramount to fostering a safe and welcoming environment at our CAC. Sometimes children may have to tell the worst story of his or her life repeatedly to doctors, police, lawyers, therapists, investigators, judges and others. The child may not receive assistance they desperately need to heal post-investigation. Therefore, it is a goal and daily objective of Heart to Heart to offer a safe child-focused environment for the child to be able to tell their story and receive assistance. The child may be accompanied by police, a child protective service provider, caregiver or “safe” adult.

The CAC has a trained forensic interviewer on staff to communicate with the child effectively. The Heart to Heart Child Advocacy Center works with a team of professionals who coordinate the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse. We assist them by being a voice for the child and ensure their case is heard and followed through. We are an advocate for the family as much as we are for the child(ren).

The Heart to Heart Multidisciplinary team (MDT) collaborates to create an action plan to best serve the child’s interests during and after the prosecution process. The MDT is comprised of law enforcement officials, medical professionals, protective services representatives, prosecution and victim advocates.

Heart to Heart is currently located in the Ginger Lynn Welch Complex where the Human Resources Department was previously located, adjacent to the library.

Additional Resources:

• National Children’s Advocacy Center
• National Children’s Alliance