We’ve upgraded our recording system and are expanding local training thanks to a $19,000 United Way Grant
Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center was awarded a $19,000 grant earlier this month from the United Way of Central Indiana. Two remarkable projects have already been put to use with these funds.
Continue reading...Heidi Jennings wins Children’s Champion award. It’s easy to see why.
Heidi Jennings has received a well-deserved award for her work with numerous high-profile cases in Boone County.
Continue reading...Sylvia’s CAC raising $5,000 toward $15,000 goal for child and teen abuse prevention education
Now through 12/31, donations will be matched by the Comm. Foundation of Boone Co. Together with the Ind. Center for Prevention, we're raising $15,000 for 12,500 kids in Boone County.
Continue reading...How does Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center work around Boone County?
An allegation of abuse is made
Law enforcement or the Department of Child Services begins an investigation. They bring all involved children to Sylvia’s CAC.
We conduct a forensic interview
We ask non-leading, neutral fact-finding questions about what happened. The child’s responses are recorded on discreet cameras for use by investigators.
We help with referrals & advocacy
We help non-offending caregivers through the court system, offer mental and medical health referrals, and stand by non-offending caregivers and kids.
Kids begin to heal
Whether a case begins or ends in court, Sylvia’s CAC is “the end of the beginning”. Kids begin to heal. We offer help for the rest of their childhood.
Teams making a difference in kid’s lives
Our team of forensic interviewers and family advocates work closely with law enforcement, caseworkers, medical providers, and prosecutors. We call it a “multidisciplinary team”.
Our Mission
Our mission at Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center is to reduce trauma to a child victim of abuse by allowing them to tell their story in a safe, comfortable and child-focused environment, with a trained forensic interviewer who will ask age-appropriate and non-leading questions.
The child’s multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement, prosecutor’s office, child protective services, mental health provider, and victim advocate work together shepherd the child and his or her family toward the first steps of healing
Boone County’s income distribution and growth means we have to overcome serious challenges
Indiana’s fastest-growing county is also its most prosperous. But child abuse, assault, and neglect happens in every neighborhood no matter the population, income, age, race, or family status. We know from cases like Jared Fogle’s that our community has significantly different challenges.