An Overview
When the Department of Social Services or law enforcement receive a report of suspected abuse or neglect, they refer children to our team at AWAKE. We offer an array of services and support designed to help children survive and thrive.
What is a (CAC) Children's Advocacy Center?
When law enforcement or child protective services believe a child may be experiencing abuse, the child is brought to a CAC—a safe, child-focused environment—by a caregiver or other “safe” adult. At the CAC, the child tells their story once to a trained interviewer who knows the right questions to ask in a way that does not not re-traumatize the child. Then, a team that includes medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health, prosecution, child protective services, victim advocacy, and other professionals make decisions together about how to help the child based on the interview. CACs offer therapy and medical exams, plus courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and other services. This is called the multidisciplinary team (MDT) response and is a core part of the work of CACs.
Forensic Interviews
After a child is referred to AWAKE by DSS or law enforcement, their first stop is often with our forensic interviewers.
Forensic interviews are conducted by highly trained professionals who conduct child-friendly, neutral interviews with the victims to assess medical and mental health needs and to gain knowledge of the specific facts of the incident.
The interviews are recorded, and investigators and medical providers observe to limit the number of times children must talk about their abuse. Once the interview is concluded, our interviewers may be called to testify as expert witnesses in court and can provide opinions on the dynamics of child abuse.
It is a common misconception that these interviews are harmful to children, in fact, most of the children who complete their interview express that they feel much better having someone they can trust to speak to about something they may have never told anyone before.
What to Know Before Your Interview Appointment
- You will not be allowed in the interview room with your child. We find this promotes more honest conversations and prevents unnecessary legal issues.
- A legal guardian will need to fill out paperwork and sign consent forms.
- The interview portion of your visit will take approximately 1.5 hours.
- The interviewers are happy to answer any questions you have before starting the interview.
- If you have more questions, please call us and we will speak to you about the process.
Important aspects of forensic interviewing include
- Nationally trained interviewers
- Accepted best practices
- Structured, forensically balanced process
- Higher conviction rates
- Teamwork
- Digital recording
- Reduced number of interviews
Child Medical Evaluations
Once a victim has spoken to the forensic interviewer, they walk just down the hall to see our medical provider.
AWAKE contracts with the Child Medical Collaborative, which serves Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties. This group of medical providers are rostered through UNC Chapel Hill’s Child Medical Evaluation Program to perform specialized evaluations.
Instead of the children having to be seen in the ER at a hospital, these evaluations are conducted in the comfort of our child- friendly Center. These evals are a head-to-toe evaluation to ensure the health and well-being of every child. Every step of the eval is the child’s choice, as we empower children to have ownership of their own bodies.
Once the evaluation is completed, the provider completes a detailed report including findings and recommendations for the child’s overall health and well-being. When appropriate and necessary, our medical providers may also collect sexual assault kits.
What to Know Before Your Medical Evaluation
- You will be allowed in the exam room with your child. We leave this decision up to the child.
- A medical provider, as well as an AWAKE or CMC staff member will be in the exam room at all times during the physical exam process.
- A legal guardian will need to fill out paperwork and sign consent forms.
- The medical eval is not physically painful and is an exterior evaluation only.
- The medical provider will speak to the guardian about the child’s medical history and any
concerns you have. - The medical evaluation portion of your visit will take approximately 2 hours.
- Please bring your child’s Medicaid card if possible. Caregivers will never be billed for services, but we will bill Medicaid when possible.
- If you have more questions, please call us and we will speak to you about the process.
Victim Advocacy
Getting a phone call from DSS or law enforcement that your child has possibly been a victim can be incredibly scary and life changing.
One of the most important services AWAKE offers is an advocate to help our families navigate this difficult process. Our case managers guide families through the process
from the initial disclosure, resolution in court, and until the families decide they no longer need services.
Advocates are responsible for answering questions about the child’s case, providing families with resources to thrive, and being a voice for the child to other community partners. This advocacy often goes on for years.
On-Site Counseling
AWAKE now employs two counselors who are trauma focused. Therapy is conducted in two locations: in Sylva at a rented location outside of the Center space, but within Colonial Square and another site in a rented space within Cullowhee United Methodist Church. One therapist is bilingual and offers services for our Latin-x community in their native language. Both have been trained in a trauma focused and evidence-based modality that fits the needs of the child. In addition to AWAKE’s therapists, AWAKE works with local mental health agencies to offer trauma-focused counseling services to children and their families.
Families have the option to be seen at the various mental health agencies, or to be seen at the AWAKE Therapy Center in either Sylva or Cullowhee. This service is at no cost to children and families and offers an alternative and confidential environment for children to recover from abuse.
It is an amazing experience to witness the children recovering and thriving, so that they can become healthy and happy adults.
Multi-disciplinary Team
The multi-disciplinary team is the core of the children’s advocacy center and ensures that each child’s needs are being met. AWAKE coordinates a multi-disciplinary team meeting monthly to discuss current child abuse cases in Jackson County.
This allows for information sharing that promotes teamwork and efficiency. Without the support of the various agencies that participate, AWAKE would cease to exist.
- AWAKE
- Child Medical Collaborative
- Jackson and Swain County Sheriff’s Offices
- Sylva Police Dept.
- Jackson and Swain County Dept. of Social Services
- Bryson City Police Dept.
- District Attorney’s Office
- Dept. of Juvenile Justice
- Jackson County Schools
- Meridian Behavioral Health
- Appalachian Community Services
