What to Expect at the Crawford CAC
During the Appointment
When you arrive at the CAC, a staff member will greet you and welcome you into our waiting area to fill out an intake form. The team will then introduce themselves and a Family Advocate will briefly meet with you alone to learn more about your child, to orient you with the interview process, and show you around.
The CAC will provide you and your child refreshments and snacks. We have toys, books, and games to reduce anxiety and increase your child’s comfort while you are visiting. The team will also typically have a staff member to stay with your child or children while you meet with a Family Advocate.
The Forensic Interview
After this brief meeting, our interviewer will invite your child into our child-friendly interview room. Only the investigating team and our staff are permitted to observe the interview. This is to protect the interview, the investigation, and the victim.
After the Interview
Following the interview, you will meet briefly with your caseworker and/or law enforcement to discuss their next steps. Then you will meet again with your Family Advocate to discuss resources that are based on you and your family’s needs to begin the next step to healing.
You will be at the CAC long enough to gather necessary information and answer all of your questions. The average length of a visit is about two hours.
How Do I Prepare My Child for Our Visit?
Do:
- Tell your child they will be visiting a child-friendly house.
- Give your permission to talk with the interviewers.
- Tell you child it is a safe place to talk openly and honestly.
- Tell your child that the person they will talk to is someone who talks to kids every day.
- Try to remain calm.
- Tell your child you will be in another room during an interview, and that you will not be leaving them
- Consider bringing an item that comforts your child, such as a blanket or toy.
Don't:
- Tell your child what to say.
- Promise treats or rewards to your child for talking.
- Try to answer questions that you don’t know.
