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Family Resources of Rutherford County has been awarded re-accreditation by National Children's Alliance following an extensive application and site review process. The agency's Child Advocacy Center, named the Clara Allen Family Center, is located in Forest City. As the accrediting agency for Children's Advocacy Centers (CAC) across the country, National Children's Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. Accreditation is the highest level of membership with National Children's Alliance and denotes excellence in service provision.
Accredited CACs must undergo a re-accreditation process every five years to ensure that best practices are continually being applied. With accreditation standards being updated in 2010, re-accreditation this year reflects Family Resources of Rutherford County's commitment to providing evidence-based methods practice.
The Clara Allen Family Center was established in 1992 to serve child victims and their families in Rutherford County. The Child Advocacy Center was named in honor of Clara Allen, an employee of Family Resources who was a dedicated advocate for children in need. The Clara Allen Family Center provides services to hundreds of child victims and their family members each year, including forensic interviews, therapy, advocacy, access to support programs, and community resources. As an Accredited Member of National Children's Alliance, the Clara Allen Family Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse.
National Children's Alliance awards Accredited Membership based on a CAC's compliance with 10 national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims. Accredited Members must utilize a functioning and effective Multidisciplinary Team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution, and treatment. National Children's Alliance also considers standards regarding a center's cultural competency and diversity, forensic interviews, victim support and advocacy, medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention, and child focused setting.
"As an organization/team of individuals dedicated to responding to child abuse, we recognize the importance of maintaining Accredited status from National Children's Alliance. Re-accreditation not only validates our organization's dedication to proven effective approaches of child abuse intervention and prevention, but also contributes to consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole," said Vanessa Parton, Director of Family Support Services at the Clara Allen Family Center.
"Family Resources of Rutherford County is to be commended for its continued commitment to effectively serve victims of child abuse. As the national association and accrediting body for Children's Advocacy Centers across the country, our goal is to ensure that every victim of child abuse has access to high quality services that result from professional collaboration. By requiring Accredited Centers to undergo re-Accreditation every five years, we ensure that evidence-based practices are being implemented and the highest quality of service is being provided," remarked Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children's Alliance.
For more information about Family Resources of Rutherford County and the Clara Allen Family Center, visit familyresourcesrc.org.
Family Resources is dedicated to ensuring all children and families in Rutherford County have a community built around them that uplifts, supports and guides parents, caregivers, children and survivors.
