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Our Child Advocacy Program’s Second Location Helps Underserved Suffolk Families

child advocacy program

In August of 2019, EAC Network’s Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) opened a satellite location in Riverhead, filling a growing need for family-oriented social services on the East End of Long Island. This extension of our core child advocacy program was born of a vision to better serve vulnerable children who were geographically isolated from quality services.

What is the Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center?

Located in Central Islip, the Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) aims to reduce the trauma for child abuse victims associated with sexual abuse, physical abuse and/or neglect. It offers a calm, trauma informed setting where children can be interviewed, medically examined, and receive victim advocacy services by specially trained professional members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Comprised of:

  • District Attorney’s Office
  • Law Enforcement
  • Department of Social Services
  • Department of the Health Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services
  • Medical staff
  • EAC Network’s professional staff

The Suffolk CAC in Central Islip and its satellite location in Riverhead provide a local solution to a nationwide issue of child sexual/physical abuse, neglect and human trafficking among children of all ages.

Our child advocacy program helps kids

How Our Suffolk-Based Child Advocacy Program Helps Children and Families

EAC Network’s Suffolk Child Advocacy Center assists children who have been referred by open investigations in which child sexual abuse, physical abuse and/or human trafficking has been alleged.

Our multi-disciplinary team collaborates to both treat the abused child and prosecute the offender.

The CAC coordinates case reviews to enable the multidisciplinary team to monitor effectiveness and ensure the safety and well-being of children and families. In addition, family advocates follow up with every family to ensure that mental health services are being provided to the child.

In one recent survey, 100 percent of parents said that the CAC helped them be more prepared for what to expect from the situation that was now facing their family.

EAC Network child advocacy programs help kids.
Andrea Ramos-Topper, LMSW
Division Director of Children’s Services

The CAC is Needed Now More than Ever

According to Andres Ramos-Topper, EAC Network’s Division Director of Children’s Services, the Riverhead CAC satellite office is likely to see many more cases in the coming months now that COVID-19-related restrictions, like shelter-in-place, have been relaxed. She said the temporary lockdown may have increased family tensions, which could lead to an increase in cases. At the same time, the Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center is in jeopardy of losing more than $200,000 in funding.

EAC Network's child advocacy program serves Suffolk County

Help the CAC Continue to Protect Suffolk Kids

With its two locations, the Suffolk CAC is on the frontlines protecting vulnerable children. To help this EAC Network program and others, please consider making a contribution to our Donate for Good campaign.

Donate for Good 2020

Special Thanks