WHERE CHILDREN HAVE A VOICE.
Child Advocacy Center
of Leavenworth & Atchison Counties
The Child Advocacy Center of Leavenworth and Atchison Counties is a nonprofit organization umbrellaed under the First Judicial District CASA Association. Together with Law Enforcement and the Department for Children and Families, the Child Advocacy Center utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to child abuse investigations, working with children ages 3-17 who have been the victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, neglect, or are witnesses to violence. The Child Advocacy Center responds to the needs of children by providing safe, child friendly, and culturally sensitive services.
The Child Advocacy Center of Leavenworth and Atchison Counties is an accredited member of the National Children's Alliance.
Nationally there are over 400 Child Advocacy Centers accredited by the National Children's Alliance. To find a Child Advocacy Center near you, click here.
Help Kids
How CACs
forensic interviews conducted
120
2023 CAC Statistics
caregivers received advocacy services
114
91
sexual abuses
cases
22
physical abuses
cases
What to Expect on Your Visit
Introductions
You and your child will meet your Family Advocate and the Forensic Interviewer assigned to your case. You will complete intake paperwork and both you and your child will receive a tour of the facility.
Forensic Interview
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Your child will be interviewed in a child friendly room by a specially trained forensic interviewer. The interviewer asks neutral, fact finding questions in a way that is sensitive to your child’s age and ability. The interview will be recorded. This may help reduce the need for repeat interviews.
Family Advocacy
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While your child is being interviewed, you will meet with your Family Advocate. During this time, the Family Advocate will address concerns, answer questions, and discuss any needed support moving forward.
After the Interview
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The detective assigned to the case and/or the child protection specialist may want to talk with you after the interview. At this time, they may be able to tell you what may happen next regarding the investigation. This may also be a good time for you to share information and your concerns.
Prevention Programs
We offer Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training, the only evidence-informed, adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention training proven to increase knowledge and change behavior.
Darkness to Light empowers adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse through awareness, education, and stigma reduction. Whether you work with youth, are a parent, or are simply a member of a community, it is highly likely that someone you know or care for has experienced, or is currently experiencing, child sexual abuse. It’s going to happen whether you are prepared to deal with it or not – unless you stop it from happening. And the good news, it can be stopped.
We offer trainings to schools, churches and any community organizations that are involved with children. We offer in person and virtual trainings.
*Above description information from Darkness to Light website
The Monique Burr Foundation Safety Matters programs were developed WITH schools, not FOR schools, to make the best use of existing resources and ensure schools have effective programs that are easy to implement. Each program is presented in two comprehensive lessons ranging from 35-55 minutes (or in four shorter lessons) by trained facilitators in classrooms. Facilitators present turnkey scripts along with engaging, interactive PowerPoints including lecture, group discussion, skills-practice activities, videos, and games.
We have trained facilitators of the MBF Child Safety Matters® and the MBF Teen Safety Matters® curriculums. These are comprehensive, evidence-based curriculums for elementary school and middle school students. These programs educate and empower children, teens and all relevant adults with information and strategies to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to bullying, cyberbullying, all types of abuse, and digital abuse dangers.
*Above description information from Monique Burr Foundation Safety Matters website
Know the Signs
1 in 10 children will experience abuse or neglect.
You can help protect children by knowing the warning signs.
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Changes in sleeping
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Changes in school performance and attendance
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Lack of personal care or hygiene
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Risk-taking behaviors
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Inappropriate sexual behaviors
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Unexplained injuries
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Changes in behavior
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Returning to earlier behaviors
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Fear of going home
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Changes in eating​​
Resources
Online Safety
Child Abuse Prevention
Kansas Victim Resources
NetSmartz is NCMEC's online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.
The Family Online Safety Institute is an international, non-profit organization which works to make the online world safer for kids and their families.
ConnectSafely.org is a Silicon Valley, Calif.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating users of connected technology about safety, privacy and security. Our resources include research-based safety tips, parents’ guidebooks, advice, news and commentary on all aspects of tech use and policy.
Darkness to Light empowers adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse through awareness, education, and stigma reduction.
To protect children from bullying, digital dangers, abuse, and exploitation with
comprehensive, evidence-based, prevention education programs.
We believe that child abuse can be prevented through effectively educating adults and children, developing the next generation of child welfare professionals and strengthening child protection laws around the country.
The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, now in partnership with The New York Foundling, was founded in 1986 and is a nonprofit, national organization focused on meeting the needs of professionals engaged in all aspects of services for maltreated children and their families.
Additional Resources
National Children’s Alliance is a professional membership organization dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient – and put the needs of child victims first.
The mission of NCSBY is to promote better lives, through better choices by youth, caregivers, and professionals for healthier responses to and prevention of problematic sexual behavior of youth. NCSBY provides national training and technical assistance to improve the accuracy, accessibility, and strategic use of accurate information about the nature, incidence, prevalence, prevention, treatment, and management of youth with problematic sexual behavior.