Business Details
36 Years
experience
Combating Child Abuse Nationwide
National Children Alliance (NCA) operates as a unifying force for 961 Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) across the United States, dedicated to transforming the response to child abuse through collaboration and comprehensive care. Our mission centers on improving outcomes for children by integrating law enforcement, child welfare, medical, and mental health professionals into a coordinated system. With a national model mirroring local CAC frameworks, we prioritize evidence-based practices and systemic advocacy to address child abuse prevention and recovery. Our organization serves as a critical resource for policymakers, media, and communities, offering training programs, national statistics, and policy guidance to strengthen child protection efforts. Through initiatives like the NCA Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes and the One in Ten podcast, we advance professional expertise and public awareness.Our strategic partnerships with federal agencies, state chapters, and advocacy networks position us as a national authority on child abuse intervention. By accrediting CACs and standardizing service delivery, we ensure consistent, high-quality support for children and families. Our work extends to legislative advocacy, funding initiatives, and public education campaigns aimed at preventing abuse and promoting child well-being. With over three decades of experience, we combine operational expertise with research-driven solutions to address evolving challenges in child protection systems nationwide.
Services
Child Abuse Prevention
Advocacy Services
Mental Health Training
Policy Development
Case Management
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We operate the national accreditation system for Children's Advocacy Centers
- Our network serves 372,613 children annually through 961 CAC locations
- We provide specialized mental health training for abuse intervention professionals
- Our advocacy efforts shape federal and state child protection policies
- We maintain comprehensive national statistics on child abuse trends
Associations and certifications
- National Children Alliance
Services
Child Abuse Prevention
Our prevention programs educate communities about child abuse recognition and intervention. We develop evidence-based resources for parents, educators, and professionals to identify risk factors and implement protective measures. Through public awareness campaigns like #BeThereNow, we promote early intervention strategies that help adults recognize behavioral changes in children.
Advocacy Services
We lead national legislative efforts to improve child protection systems through our NCA Impact initiative. Our advocacy focuses on securing funding for CACs, strengthening child abuse laws, and promoting trauma-informed practices across government agencies. We provide policymakers with research-based recommendations and model legislation.
Mental Health Training
The NCA Institute offers specialized training for clinicians and advocates working with abuse survivors. Our programs cover trauma assessment, evidence-based treatment modalities, and multidisciplinary collaboration. We also provide continuing education credits and certification opportunities for mental health professionals.
Case Management
We standardize case management protocols across CACs to ensure comprehensive care for abuse victims. Our system coordinates medical examinations, forensic interviews, and mental health services through centralized case review teams. This approach reduces trauma repetition while maintaining evidentiary integrity for legal proceedings.
Policy Development
Our policy experts develop national standards for child abuse response systems. We work with federal agencies to improve data collection practices, enhance interagency collaboration, and establish best practices for victim support services. Our research informs national child welfare reforms and funding allocations.
People
Teresa Huizar
President & CEO
Teresa Huizar leads NCA as a nationally recognized expert on child abuse intervention systems. With over 30 years of experience, she has shaped national child protection policies and developed training programs used by thousands of professionals. She hosts the award-winning One in Ten podcast.
Questions
What is a Children's Advocacy Center?
A CAC is a child-focused facility where multidisciplinary teams collaborate to investigate abuse cases, provide medical care, and coordinate legal proceedings while minimizing trauma to child victims.
How can I find a local CAC?
Use our online directory to locate the nearest CAC by entering your zip code or state. Our network includes 961 centers across all 50 states and US territories.
What training programs do you offer?
We provide mental health certifications, forensic interview training, and multidisciplinary team workshops through the NCA Institute, with both in-person and online options available.
How are CACs funded?
CACs receive funding through a combination of federal grants, state appropriations, private donations, and partnerships with local organizations. NCA advocates for sustained public funding at all government levels.
What national statistics do you track?
We maintain data on abuse incidence rates, service utilization, case outcomes, and prevention program effectiveness. Our annual report includes statistics from all 961 CAC locations nationwide.
