The children’s advocacy centers in North Dakota offer comprehensive, compassionate services free of charge to children and families who have been affected by abuse. Services include evidence-based Counseling for children and families of all ages, Advocacy services for the non-offending caregiver, a Forensic Interview so that the child only has to tell their story one time in a child friendly environment and Medical Evaluations by a provider who specializes in child abuse.
North Dakota has three children’s advocacy centers and 7 sites across the state who specialize in child abuse. Their mission is to coordinate with agencies and team members involved in the investigation, assessment and healing of child abuse to ensure that they build stronger cases and that the child and family don’t fall through the cracks of the system. They have expertise in providing forensic interviews, medical exams, advocacy services and mental health therapy. Children’s advocacy centers can also be a good resource of information on research and best practices in the field.
Northern Plains Children's Advocacy Center
Bottineau, ND 58318
110 Main Street
Williston, ND 58801
Dakota Children's Advocacy Center
Dickinson, ND 58601
201 5th St. NW Suite 790
Watford City, ND 58854
179 Agency Ave.
Fort Yates, ND 58538
2605 Circle Dr.
Jamestown, ND 58401
Red River Children's Advocacy Center
Grand Forks, ND 58201
In order to work effectively with traumatized children, professionals must have specialized training in the dynamics of child abuse. All of Children’s Advocacy Center staff have this specialized training, however, if you need to find a professional outside of the CAC’s area, included are some guidelines to help you find someone who will best be able to serve your family.
Many children and their caregivers need counseling and support to reduce the emotional impact of abuse. Therapy is a safe place for people to express themselves to help them heal. Therapy benefits children and their families in many ways. When a child and family experience abuse, it can be an emotional and confusing time. A specialized trauma-focused child therapist can apply special training in child abuse and/or trauma to help work through thoughts and feelings. It will help the child restore his/her emotional health and provide tools for the family to recover as quickly as possible.
All professionals working with traumatized children should be trauma informed and have specialized training in evidenced based practices in child abuse/trauma. If there is an allegation of abuse, a referral to a mental health professional trained in child abuse is almost always appropriate. The Treatment Collaborative for Traumatized Youth in North Dakota trains and provides consultation to therapists across the state. They have trained therapists in every region in North Dakota in evidence-based treatments for children who have been abused. Visit www.tcty-nd.org to find a trained therapist in your area.
“Could not do what we do without the CAC”