Support Center for Child Advocates

Child Advocates' comprehensive service included training volunteer attorneys to team with staff social workers and staff attorneys in the representation of children and youth in all court hearings and interagency meetings. Working in concert, staff social workers, staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys assessed each Child victim's safety and needs by conducting home visits, reviewing all relevant documents, and arranging for further assessments and services. These Child advocate teams also represented children who were victims of prosecuted crimes, accompanying and supporting child/victims to prepare for court and to testify in preliminary hearings and trials of alleged abusers. Child Advocates served as the Child's counsel and guardian ad litem as long for as the Child was a party to dependency or criminal proceedings, providing continuing protection of rights, assessment, referral to services, and progression towards permanent nurturing homes. On average, Child Advocates represents clients for slightly more than 2 years.