New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center

Company Overview

The New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center is a safe environment for abused children and their non-offending parent during the investigative process. The NOCAC is a place where healing starts and a child begins their journey to rise above their abuse, hence the hot air balloon theme, soaring to safety.

Description

NOCAC is located in a child-friendly cottage adjacent to Audubon Park in Uptown New Orleans. Tucked away on Children's Hospital Calhoun Campus, our cottage is surrounded by oak, cypress and magnolia trees. Each child is given time to become comfortable with the cottage environment by playing video games, sitting in rocking chairs on our front porch, watching a selection of movies or helping themselves to snacks provided by the Women For a Better Louisiana until they are ready to begin their interview.

General Information

Louisiana law requires every parish have a multidisciplinary team approach for their investigation of child abuse. The NOCAC team consists of NOPD child abuse detectives, child protection workers, New Orleans assistant district attorneys, CARE Center forensic pediatricians, New Orleans District Attorney victim assistance coordinators, mental health councilors, and NOCAC staff. Our multidisciplinary team meets bi-weekly to coordinate intervention services and our primary focus is in the best interest of the child by providing assistance and protection. The team constantly strives to reduce further trauma by limiting the number of interviews and assuring child safety. Together they work toward an acceptable, safe and legally sound outcome for each family.