Child Advocacy Center
A mentally and physically safe environment for children.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Together with partners across Yellowstone County, RiverStone Health is supporting and strengthening families through awareness, education and resources.
Below are resources highlighting ways to strengthen families, teach children safety measures and protect our community.
For an interactive online safety experience, visit Into the Cloud.
The Yellowstone Valley Child Advocacy Center, located on the main RiverStone Health campus in Billings, was founded in 2012 as a coalition of area law enforcement, judicial, medical, mental health and social services agencies.
The CAC is a safe place where children and their non-offending family members can go when there has been a concern about child abuse.
CAC services:
- Child forensic interview
- Information and education
- Referrals to medical exams and mental health support
- Ongoing support to the child and family for the life of the case
In a specially designed interview room, the child is interviewed by a forensic interviewer trained to ask appropriate questions. The interviewer is trained to ask neutral questions that allow children to tell what, if anything, has happened in a way that avoids adding further trauma.
The CAC convenes a multidisciplinary team that provides a comprehensive response to minimize further trauma and increase safety. This process reduces the child having to talk to multiple professionals, potential evidence collection errors, and increases the chance of a successful prosecution.
