Who We Are

Our Purpose

The Children’s Advocacy Centers of South Dakota (CACSD) is an organization that promotes the development, cultural awareness, growth and continuation of children’s advocacy centers (CACs) in South Dakota through education and training, mentoring, collaboration, advocacy, development of children’s advocacy centers and legislation.

Our Mission

The mission of CACSD is to support communities by establishing and strengthening CACs and Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) in order to better serve abused, vulnerable, and neglected children.

Our Vision

The vision for CACSD is that the CAC model is endorsed and utilized statewide as a best practice in response to child maltreatment.

CACSD provides technical assistance to Children’s Advocacy Centers across South Dakota and is an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance (NCA). NCA is a nationwide not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote and support communities in providing a coordinated investigation and comprehensive response to child victims of abuse through Children’s Advocacy Centers and Multi-Disciplinary Teams.

NCA Standards for Accreditation

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

Diversity, Equity and Access of Services

Forensic Interview

Victim Support and Advocacy

Medical Evaluation

Mental Health

Case Review and Coordination

Case Tracking

Organizational Capacity

Child Safety and Protection

Children’s Advocacy Center Model

Under the CAC model, a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), which includes a group of professionals representing a variety of disciplines such as law enforcement, child protective services, mental health, medical health, prosecution, and victim advocacy, work together in a coordinated and collaborative manner to ensure an effective response to reports of child abuse and neglect.

How the CAC Model Works