Western Regional CAC Director Tool Kit

Required Elements

 

Required Elements for Satellite Membership with NCA

 In order to become a satellite member of NCA, a CACs must fully meet the NCA accreditation standards for Child Focused Setting, Forensic Interviewing and Victim Advocacy.  Although the remaining seven standards do not have be met in their entirety, Host CACs should strive to ensure that the services provided through the satellite center, to the extent possible, reflect the level of professional response that would be found in a fully accredited CAC. It is important to note that the NCA eligibility requirements require providing medical and mental healthcare either through referral or onsite.  Click on the headings below to access the Toolkit page for each standard listed.
Child-focused Setting is one of three NCA Standards for Accreditation of Children’s Advocacy Centers that must be fully met. Applicants must describe the layout and structure of the location for the satellite CAC and discuss how the standard is being met. The setting must be safe and secure and provide a comfortable and accessible setting for services provided by the satellite CAC.
Required Attachment: Pictures of the Satellite Center’s work and interview areas must be included as Attachment 1 of your application, in addition to policies and procedures related to separation of victims and offenders.
The Forensic Interview Standard is one of three NCA Standards for Accreditation of Children’s Advocacy Centers that must be fully met by the Satellite CAC. Applicants must show that forensic interviews are conducted at the Satellite CAC in a manner that is legally sound, of a neutral, fact-finding nature, and are coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing.
Required Attachment: Attachments 2.1 – 2.3 of the application must include polices and procedures related to forensic interviewing, including documentation of training and continuing education.

Victim Advocacy is the final of the three NCA Standards for Accreditation of Children’s Advocacy Centers that must be fully met by the Satellite CAC. These individuals provide advocacy, support, and case management services throughout the life of the case. Advocates can be system-based, community-based, or a combination of both. In this section, applicants must describe the policies and procedures related to victim advocacy at the Satellite CAC, including how all CAC clients have access to these services.

Required Attachment: Attachment 3 of the application must include a copy of policies and procedures for provision of victim advocacy services at the Satellite CAC.

Medical
The Satellite CAC must have the capacity for the provision of medical services on-site or through linkages in the local community. Note: the Satellite Center does not have to fully meet this NCA Standard for Accreditation of Children’s Advocacy Centers, but should have a plan for working toward meeting this standard, if feasible.

Required Attachment: Attachment 4 of the application requires either policies and procedures for onsite provision of medical services or, if medical services are provided off-site, a copy of the signed linkage agreement.

The Satellite CAC must have the capacity for the provision of mental health services onsite or through linkages in the local community. Note: the Satellite Center does not have to fully meet this NCA Standard for Accreditation of Children’s Advocacy Centers, but should have a plan for working toward meeting this standard, if feasible.

Required Attachment: Attachment 5 of the application requires either policies and procedures for onsite provision of mental health services or, if mental health services are provided off-site, a copy of the signed linkage agreement.

Case Review
The Host CAC must show that there is a mechanism in place to review cases from the Satellite CAC.

 

Case Tracking
The Host CAC must show that there is a mechanism in place to track cases from the Satellite CAC and produce NCA statistical reports on a semi-annual basis.

Organizational Capacity

The Host CAC must demonstrate that there are designated staff that coordinate the response and provision of services at the Satellite Center. The Host CAC must also show it has the capacity to manage the satellite center. The Host CAC must remain in good standing with NCA, inclusive of its Satellite.

Required Attachment: An organizational chart, showing staff assigned to the Satellite Center, and how the center fits within the Host CAC’s organization, is required as Attachment 8 of the application.

Additional Attachments
You may include additional attachments, other than those required. Label them as Attachment 15 of your application and provide a list with a description of each additional attachment. Number each attachment 15(a), 15(b), 15(c), etc.

Other Useful Information

Cultural Competency and Diversity
Both the Host CAC and the Satellite Center should operate in a way that is respectful and responsive the all members of the community. Although there is not a specific section of the application that requires that you describe your efforts towards culturally competent service provision, all services provided, both at the Host CAC and the Satellite CAC, should operate in a manner that is consistent with the Host CAC’s cultural competency plan and that meets the intent of the Cultural Competency Standard.