Safe place for children to be interviewed by law enforcement, case workers, or forensic interviewer once abuse has been disclosed. Provides referrals to mental health services and support groups, and follows the case through the legal system. Assists parents in reporting abuse or following up on reports already made. Provides medical exams for sexual assault of children.

Provides a safe, child focused setting for investigations of child abuse, ensure victims and their families receive quality services, and raise awareness in the community to combat child abuse.

The victim advocates provide services to victims and their non-offending family members from the time the case is opened through disposition. They also assess needed service referrals, provide medical and court advocacy, and keep the victim and family members up to date on the status of the case.

Some of the services provided by advocates are:

- Assistance filing an order of protection.

- Setting up a follow up medical exam.

- Court accompaniment.

- Case updates.

- Assistance finding counseling.

Provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary response to child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse allegations in a neutral, child-focused setting.

Coordinates and tracks the investigations, medical treatment, counseling referrals, prosecution and training in order to protect the best interests of the child victims and their families.

Provides crisis intervention and case management services to abused children. Services include support to the child and the non-offending family members, linkage to counseling and medical services for the child, court support services, and screenings.

Front-line responders to reports of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, sexual exploitation, child pornography, neglect, and exposure to violence of children. Helps clients navigate the system and provide one-on-one support, advocacy, and legal aid.

Provides programs for families involved in the child welfare system or in crisis that need encouragement while they change their lives. Services include advocacy, mentoring, mediation, alternative counseling, workshops, outreach and 3rd party visits.

Also provides group sessions and trainings.

Works with law enforcement, child protection services, physicians, state and county prosecutors, and other healthcare professionals who find themselves dealing with cases where questions of possible child abuse and neglect arise.

Provides complete physical exams, forensic photographic documentation, in-depth psychosocial assessments of the child and family, medical record reviews, hair sampling collections for drug exposures in children and adults, urine drug screen facilitation, courtroom testimony, educational presentations, and referrals to child protection services, law enforcement, mental health services, and substance abuse services.

Forensic interviewer and mental/behavioral family assistance available.

Assists DCFS, law enforcement, and the States Attorney's Office in coordinating the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse/assault and/or severe physical abuse cases in McHenry County.

Provides the only approved site for forensic interviewing of child victims and provides advocacy for clients who may be involved in the judicial process. Also coordinates and provides advocacy for conducting specialized medical exams with qualified providers for alleged child victims of abuse.

Counseling (trauma based and abuse assessments) for survivors and non-offending family members is provided through a linkage agreement with a local agency of therapeutic services.

Services also include a crisis response through the McHenry County Crisis Line.

The Center is dedicated to serving the best interests of sexually/ physically abused and neglected children by providing:

- A safe and comfortable environment for the child and family to feel at ease while talking about the abuse during the investigation process.

- Linkage and coordination between police investigators, child welfare workers, prosecutors, and treatment providers so that the number of victim interviews can be reduced.

- An interdisciplinary review process for decision-making, problem-solving, information sharing and case monitoring.

- A comprehensive tracking system shared by all appropriate agencies for those children who have been sexually/ physically abused.

- Specialized training for professionals involved with victims and families in child sexual/ physical abuse cases.

- Education and prevention in dealing with issues of sexual/ physical/ abuse.

- Provides medical evaluations performed by physicians specially trained in the detection and treatment of child physical/sexual abuse.

Provides all children suspected of being physically abused, sexually abused, or neglected with timely expert medical evaluations and treatment, as well as serving the community as a resource for prevention, research, and education.

- MERIT case coordinator will receive requests for evaluation.
- The coordinator will arrange for second opinions from other CAC's or DCFS investigators.
- Medical personnel will collaborate with investigative providers to determine next steps.

Organization that investigates and treats the sexual and physical abuse cases of children. Children are interviewed in a comfortable environment to gather information regarding the child's experience. Services offered include:

- Crisis counseling.

- Victim advocacy and support.

- Case management.

- Legal, medical, and resource advocacy.

Coordinates the multi-disciplinary response to child sexual and/or serious physical abuse in a child friendly location.

Services include:
- Linkage to mental health resources
- Coordination with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) regarding the investigation and services provided
- Accompaniment to court hearings/trials, specialized medical appointments, or attendance in victim's place
- Linkage to any community resources available
- Court preparation for victim
- Child friendly facility and trained professional to conduct forensic interviews
- Help with Crime Victims Compensation forms
- Registration with Automated Victim Notification System

Acts as a neutral third party to coordinate services and give support to children who have been abused and their non-offending family members. Services include referrals for medical treatment, trauma assessments, referrals for counseling and caregiver education through the Center for Counseling, in-person support during court proceedings, and community prevention and awareness presentations.