Caregiver Information

Getting to the Children’s Advocacy Center

We are located at 2329 E Ajo Way, near the Kino Sports Complex. 

We have a large, free parking lot on the west side of the building that you are welcome to use. If you do not have reliable transportation, we may be able to assist.

What to Say to Your Child

We understand that explaining the Children’s Advocacy Center to your child may feel scary and maybe overwhelming. You know your child best, so we encourage you to speak to them at their level and be honest.

For younger children, consider saying something like: 

We are going to the Children’s Advocacy Center. The center is a special place where kids go to talk about things they may have had happen to them, or sometimes to talk about things they have seen or heard happen to someone else. The person you will be talking to talks to lots of kids about different things. It’s okay to tell them everything. You are not in any trouble.

For older youth, be honest. A few things we recommend: 

• You’re not in any trouble.
• We’re going to the Children’s Advocacy Center to talk to someone about what happened. 
• What happens at the center isn’t like the police interrogations you’ve seen on TV. You’ll be in a room with a nice person who will just ask you some questions. 
• You need to be totally honest. Nothing bad will happen to you for telling the truth. 
• It’s OK to be nervous, but you don’t have anything to be afraid of. The people at the center are here to help.

View more tools for kids and teens on this page 

An Overview of Your Day

We know this can be an anxious time for you and your family. At the Children’s Advocacy Center, we work with a team of professionals from law enforcement and the Department of Child Safety. When you come to the Children’s Advocacy Center, you will be able to meet the professionals working on your child’s case and ask them further questions.

In brief, here is what happens at the Children’s Advocacy Center:

• You will meet with a family advocate. Your family advocate guides you through your day at the center. Our family advocates specialize in helping families in situations like yours. Your advocate will explain what happens at the center, answer your questions, and connect you with resources you may need for things like counseling, food and housing.
• You and your child can ask your family advocate anything.
• Your children are invited to play in our lobby. Our staff are trained professionals in supporting children and self-led play. There are snacks, video games, dolls, puzzles, crafts and other activities available.
• Your child will have a forensic interview. Your child will speak with a forensic interviewer about what happened. Our forensic interviewers are experts in having child-friendly, sensitive conversations. As a caregiver, you will get to meet the interviewer, but for your child’s benefit, you may not observe the interview. (Please see the tab titled “Forensic Interview” below for more information about forensic interviews.)
• You will talk to the team investigating your case. The forensic interview is observed by law enforcement and a DCS investigator (if applicable). After your child’s forensic interview, your team will discuss the case with you.
• Your child may have a medical exam. The medical staff at our on-site medical clinic help reassure your child that their body is OK. You are allowed in the room during the exam and can ask the physician questions at that time. (More on medical exams below.)

Forensic Interview

The forensic interview (or FI) is a very important part of your child’s visit to the center. A forensic interview is a structured conversation that is designed to obtain information from the child about an event they have experienced. A forensic interview is not an interrogation; your child will be asked open-ended questions.

Interviews are conducted by specialized forensic interviewers, who have advanced training on how to talk to children about difficult subjects. Our interviewers move at a pace that is comfortable for your child, following your child’s cues about when to listen and when to ask an additional question. They never force a child to talk to them. Only professionals directly involved in the investigation are allowed to observe the interview. No one else – including parents, caregivers– are allowed to be in the room with the child or in the observation room. This is done to reduce your child’s stress and to provide a neutral setting for the child and the investigation. It’s important that any details about the alleged abuse come from the child.

You will stay with your child up to the point they are interviewed, and you will be reunited immediately afterwards. We can assure you that your child will be very well treated, be in a safe environment and in the care of highly trained and qualified individuals for the brief time that he or she is separated from your care.

Your Time During the Interview

During your child’s interview, you will meet with your family advocate. Family advocates are not therapists, but they can listen and get you the help you need. They will listen to your worries and concerns and provide resources to help you through this difficult time. They will answer any questions you have or, if they don’t know the answer, they will find the person who does.

After the Interview

Once the interview is completed, you will be able to meet with the Detective and the Department of Child Safety investigator (if applicable) to discuss the status of the case. They will tell you in general terms what they learned from the interview. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and voice your concerns.

Remember, your child’s interview is just the first step in the investigative process. There may be other witnesses that need to be interviewed. There may be physical evidence that needs to be photographed or collected. The alleged offender will be interviewed, but not at the Children’s Advocacy Center. 

All of the information will be turned over to the County Attorney who will decide whether or not to prosecute. If DCS is investigating the case as well, the investigator and their supervisor will work to keep your child safe using the information from your child’s interview. If you have questions at any point during the investigation or prosecution of your child’s case, please feel free to contact your advocate.

Medical Exam

The medical exams at Children’s Advocacy Center are not invasive, but they are slightly different from a typical appointment with a primary care physician. The medical staff will conduct a physical to assess health and development, as well as provide any needed testing for STDs or infection.

Board-certified child abuse pediatricians and certified nurse practitioners, who specialize in recognizing the signs of abuse for the whole body, run our on-site medical clinic. They provide developmentally sensitive, trauma-informed medical assessments and care for children who have experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse and other types of harm. We specialize in supporting children of all different ages, abilities, and comfort levels.

Many children who come to the Children’s Advocacy Center are worried that their bodies are “damaged” or permanently harmed. Seeing our specialized medical staff helps children understand that their bodies are OK, and they feel less worried or anxious afterward.

You will have the opportunity to talk with the medical staff one-on-one about the exam, your child’s medical history and any questions you have.

Child Care

You do not need to find childcare for your visit to the center, as we offer free childcare. Our childcare staff have backgrounds in child development and are trained to engage all your children in safe and supportive play. Please let us know if your children have any special needs (e.g. allergies or IEPs). 

Crisis Counseling available on-site

Not every child who comes to the center will benefit from long term counseling or therapy, but many do. Your family advocate will gather more information about mental health concerns you have for your family, and may give you referrals for long term counseling or therapy.  They may also, if appropriate, link you to our on-site crisis counselor.