The following is a checklist that has been developed by the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) summarizing the tasks that need to be completed in establishing a Children’s Advocacy Center. While the activities are listed in approximate order, some will need to take place concurrently and there will be variations in each community.

• Convene a working committee or task force of key individuals
• Select leadership
• Conduct a needs assessment of the extent of the problem in the community
• Develop vision and mission statements
• Determine CAC service population
• Gather information on various CAC models
• Select the CAC approach that best suits the community
• Develop Interagency agreement and obtain agency commitment
• Determine organizational structure
• Determine which services will be offered on-site or through referrals
• Select site and design or acquire space for child-appropriate facility
• Determine staffing needs and agency roles
• Multidisciplinary team protocol development
• Research potential sources of support

For more information about becoming a CAC, contact the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois at 217.528.2224 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .