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.
The therapy relationship is a safe place for your child to label and express feelings and thoughts related to the abuse, such as anger, fear, and sadness. Your child will also be assisted in re- establishing the personal boundaries and sense of self-worth taken away by the abuser. Your child will learn that the abuse was not his/her fault. Your child will also learn skills that can help them manage thoughts, feelings and behaviors that will be life-long tools.
Length of time in therapy varies. Your child’s counselor will help your child set goals to be reached in therapy. An individual treatment plan will be made and reviewed periodically. Your child may need to seek therapy in the future when leaving home, getting married, or having a child.
With the right resources, most children can not only “be okay” but can actually thrive and be in a special capacity to help others.
The length of intervention depends on some factors such as the age of the child, the intensity and number of incidents that occurred. The range is from 2- 4 sessions to 2- 3 years. And, survivors who have ended their sessions may return at any point for “booster” sessions as reminders arise or difficult periods (for example, the case coming to trial) occur.
We record every Forensic Interview as and provide this evidence to The District Attorney’s Office used by the DA during the legal proceedings. Under certain circumstances, the judge does have a right to ask for a child to testify. The DA will take time to prepare the child if this is the case.
Join the Fight Against Child Abuse
Make a difference in the lives of abused children by donating or volunteering.
