Williamson County Child Advocacy Center

The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a warm and welcoming place for both children and adults. In our Center, children and their families can meet with the professionals who work in the field of child abuse. It is our goal to assist child abuse victims and their families through the investigative process and help families through the difficult process of healing. The Child and Family Advocate works with families during the investigative process by providing support, information and referrals. This can come in many shapes and forms and is tailored to meet the specific needs of each family. It is our goal to help families feel less isolated and more informed during this traumatic time.

Counseling is available to support child abuse victims and their families in crisis through the healing process after the abuse. A therapist on staff provides counseling to children victimized by abuse. Counseling is offered in all three center locations (Franklin, Hohenwald, Centerville).  The primary methods of treatment utilized are Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Play Therapy.  We primarily treat the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms brought about by the trauma of abuse.

The CAC provides community education focused on prevention and early intervention of child abuse. Programs include Stewards of Children and Signs and Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse training, along with awareness programs such as Prevent Now and #NIMBY. The key to addressing the issue of child abuse is to educate the community about abuse, services available to victims and the legal obligation of all members of the community to report suspected child abuse. Staff members at Davis House are available for presentations to community organizations and groups to speak about child abuse prevention and there is no fee for this service. Davis House also maintains a library of books, videos and dvds relating to child abuse. They were purchased to help educate children, adults, and professionals working in the field of child abuse. Topics in our library include: child abuse, parenting after child abuse, and child abuse prevention. These resources are available on loan to community members.

CPIT is a state mandated multi-disciplinary team comprised of Child Advocacy Center staff, law enforcement, District Attorney’s office, Department of Children’s Services (DCS), medical professionals, and Juvenile Court officers who work in collaboration to investigate allegations of sexual and/or severe physical abuse perpetrated against children. Another objective of CPIT is to determine the disposition of each case through meetings conducted at Davis House Child Advocacy Center (DHCAC). These meetings occur monthly in each county we serve. In these meetings, each discipline brings their respective expertise and investigative information pertaining to the child victim in an effort to provide appropriate protective, counseling, or other services that the child needs. Legal proceedings and referrals for prosecution of an alleged perpetrator arise from CPIT meetings. In short, services for the welfare of the child and services that seek justice for the child victims originate from these meetings and the CPIT Program.