Welcome to Your 1st Visit at Hope House
You and your child have been asked to come to Children’s Advocacy Center – Hope House because child abuse has been suspected and reported, and is now being investigated. The CAC houses the professionals who will help you and your child with the investigation, advocacy, and the healing process.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
At Hope House, we want to ensure that your first visit is as comfortable and informative as possible. Our dedicated staff will guide you through each step of the process, answering any questions you may have along the way.
Forensic Interview
The first step in the investigation is usually a forensic interview. CAC interviewers are compassionate and highly trained in professional forensic interviewing protocols. They talk to children and teens at their developmental level. Interviews are neutral and child-friendly.
Meeting with a Investigator
You will also meet with an investigator. We work closely with local law enforcement agencies and the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services to ensure the investigative needs are met for your family.
Therapy, Advocacy, & More
When you come to the CAC Hope House, you’ll learn about other services, like therapy and advocacy, which may help you and your child during this time. Our clinicians are highly trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based treatment designed to significantly reduce the impact of childhood trauma.
Forensic Medical Exam
In some cases, a forensic medical exam will be needed. Forensic medical exams are conducted at the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center in New Orleans. If you are told that your child needs a forensic medical exam, your investigator or advocate will help you schedule an appointment and guide you the process of the forensic medical exam.
Testimonials
CAC Hope House is based on a nationally recognized model of care. The child advocacy center model has been shown to be a more child-friendly, effective community response to reported child abuse. We ask parents and caregivers about their experience at the center on a regular basis.
Jane Smith
Marketing Manager, XYZ Company
Mark Johnson
Founder, ABC Corporation
Emily Brown
HR Director, XYZ Inc.
Michael Johnson
COO, ABC Company
Sarah Thompson
Marketing Director, XYZ Corporation
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your first visit to Hope House.
Yes, during the family intake process, the parent will fill out a form from LA VINE that is a process that makes sure you are kept up on what is happening to the offender and decisions that are made.
DCFS Hotline – 855-452-5437. You can also find more info on how to report abuse here.
Reports of suspected child abuse or neglect should be made to Department of Children and Family Services, contact 1-855-4LA-KIDS (1-855-452-5437) toll-free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Reports can also be made to your local police department/sheriff’s office in your parish.
No. Any time an allegation of abuse occurs, law enforcement or Department of Children and Family Services must be involved. If you suspect your child has been abused, the first step is to make a report to DCFS and to law enforcement. The CAC does not actually investigate the alleged abuse. We simply provide the services to most accurately collect the evidence for an investigation. Therefore, we cannot interview or examine children without the coordinated approach of the multidisciplinary team, which will be law enforcement, DCFS or both agencies working together.
Do:
- Tell your child he or she will be visiting a safe, comfortable place to speak with a person whose job it is to talk with kids and teenagers.
- Have your child be well rested.
- Give your child permission to talk with the interviewer and let him or her know it is OK to talk about anything.
Don’t:
- Ask your child questions about the situation .
- Tell your child what to say.
- Promise treats or rewards to your child for talking.
- Ask why your child didn’t tell sooner.
Join the Fight Against Child Abuse
Make a difference in the lives of abused children by donating or volunteering.
