About The Crawford Child Advocacy Center
The Crawford Child Advocacy Center (CCAC) is an independent nonprofit dedicated to preventing and responding to child maltreatment, particularly cases of child physical and sexual abuse. The CCAC provides effective child abuse awareness and prevention training, victim support, family advocacy, and forensic interviews using a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach.
As the only agency in Colorado’s 8th Judicial District (Larimer and Jackson counties) accredited by the National Children’s Alliance, we work closely with local law enforcement agencies, the Department of Human Services, the District Attorney’s office, and medical and mental healthcare professionals to minimize additional trauma and provide crucial resources and support for victims and their caregivers.
- Our mission is to prevent and respond to abuse and victimization through proven child-centered methods, professional forensic interviews, and collaborative advocacy.
- Our vision is to eliminate the harm caused by child abuse.
For nearly 30 years, The Crawford Child Advocacy Center has worked to prevent and respond to cases of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and trafficking.
What Does the CCAC Do?
- We provide forensic interviews and victim advocacy in cases of suspected child physical or sexual abuse, as well as cases where a child may be a witness to a crime. Children and families are welcomed into a safe, child-friendly environment where they can access coordinated services in one location—reducing the need to visit multiple agencies or retell their story.
- We offer emergency resources and referrals for victims and their non-offending caregivers, along with on-site medical exams that provide a private, convenient alternative to traditional clinical settings. By bringing together child protection professionals, law enforcement, and CAC staff, we support coordinated investigations that improve communication and strengthen outcomes.
- We help prevent child abuse through education and training. Our programs, offered in both English and Spanish and across the learning spectrum, empower K–3rd grade students to recognize, refuse, and report unsafe touch, with additional online safety education for 4th and 5th graders. We also provide trainings for adults to help caregivers, educators, and community members recognize and respond to concerning behaviors.
History of the CCAC
- In 1994, a local community task force sought a better way to support children and families involved in child abuse investigations. After years of research, the group recommended creating a child advocacy center where multidisciplinary teams could provide coordinated services in a safe, child-friendly environment.
- That vision became reality in January 1996, when the Larimer County Child Advocacy Center opened its doors in Fort Collins. In 2004, the CAC moved to its current home on South Timberline Road—a former farmhouse built in 1890 that is now recognized as a Fort Collins Historic Landmark.
- In 2007, the CAC expanded its mission to include child abuse prevention education in local schools. In January 2022, the organization became The Crawford Child Advocacy Center, honoring Dr. Deb Crawford, a local pediatrician who has championed the prevention of child maltreatment for more than 30 years.
Forensic Interviews Performed for Victims of Abuse
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Family Members Supported Through Advocacy
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Students Trained in Abuse Prevention (2024-25 school year)
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