ABOUT
OUR TEAM:
mark fitzgerald
Better Tomorrow Executive Director
970-875-9682
mark@bettertomorrowco.org
Cassandra Baca
Program Director & Forensic Interviewer
970-875-6986
cassandra@brighterworldcac.org
Jordan Simspson
Client Support Coordinator
970-875-6985
jordan@brighterworldcac.org
WHAT IS A CAC?
A Children’s Advocacy Center (“CAC”) is a child-friendly facility that offers safety, security, and a wide range of victim services for kids and families exposed to violence or abuse. These community-based centers are staffed with professional first responders for allegations and all types of child abuse, providing direct services to children in need or in crisis. CAC services reduce the impact of child abuse by coordinating law enforcement, criminal justice, child protection, forensic interviewers, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy professionals to provide services simultaneously. Brighter World CAC provides a comfortable setting to investigate abuse, hold offenders accountable, and – most importantly – help children begin healing from the trauma of abuse.
Evidence has proven CAC’s:
- serve as an efficient and cost-effective child abuse response;
- increase the rates of prosecution;
- reduce the length of time to deposition in child abuse cases;
- increase the likelihood that affected children receive medical care;
- improve a child-victim’s access to mental health treatment;
- provide parental/caregiver greater satisfaction in the investigation and prosecution processes involving their child(ren).
What is an MDT (multidisciplinary team)?
Brighter World is not just a facility, but the hub for multiple agencies to provide coordinated support to children and families. This multidisciplinary approach brings together Brighter World staff, child protection professionals, law enforcement, prosecution, and medical and mental health providers for coordinated investigations and intervention. This approach not only streamlines communication and improves services overall, but more importantly aims to reduce potential trauma to children and families.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Brighter World has a Steering Committee of community members that work to support Brighter World’s mission, vision, and values. Please reach out to Cassandra if you have any interest or questions about joining the Brighter World Steering Committee at cassandra@brighterworldcac.org.
AGENCY PARTNERS:
District Attorney’s Office for the 14th Judicial District
Growing Potential LLC
Hayden Police Department
Oak Creek Police Department
Routt County Department of Human Services
Routt County Sheriff’s Office
Steamboat Springs Police Department
UCHealth