What is Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas (CACar)?

CACar is a coordinated statewide thought leader in data-driven, evidence-based and collaborative efforts to respond to and raise awareness about child abuse. We promote, assist and support the development, growth and continuation of the 18 child advocacy centers (CACs) and 64 first-response multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) across Arkansas, so that every child victim has access to critical services and compassionate care.

Our Mission

25+Years of Child Advocacy in Arkansas

CACar is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to sustaining and expanding local child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams across the state.

Since 1999, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas has grown from three to 18 CACs, plus 14 additional locations, serving all 75 Arkansas counties. More than 1,350 experts make up 64 multidisciplinary teams working across the state.

The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas (CACar) stands united in the fight to protect Arkansas children from abuse and neglect. We strengthen and sustain the state’s network of child advocacy centers (CACs) and multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) — the frontline defenders who bring care, justice and restoration to children in crisis.

Our mission comes to life through these key efforts:

Empowering Local Centers: Helping every CAC in Arkansas grow, thrive and continue providing child-centered care and advocacy.

Supporting First Responders: Equipping MDTs across the state, the first line of response to child maltreatment, with the resources, training and tools they need to act swiftly and effectively.

Driving Systemic Change: Advancing policies, partnerships and advocacy initiatives that strengthen protections for abused and neglected children.

Educating and Engaging Communities: Leading statewide awareness campaigns that champion collaboration, prevention and early intervention.

Building Capacity and Quality: Sharing expertise, research and best practices that raise the standard of care across every CAC and ensure long-term program sustainability.

Expanding Resources: Identifying and coordinating funding opportunities to support local CACs and MDTs strengthening communities throughout the state.

Who CACar Supports

Children

Everything we do is for the purpose of protecting Arkansas children from abuse and neglect as well as helping victims and families to heal and thrive.

MDTs

We support the more than 1,350 child abuse response professionals who make up local multidisciplinary teams and are the frontline of Arkansas’ child abuse response.

CACs

Child advocacy centers are where the healing actually happens, and keeping these locations in operation is core to Arkansas’ child abuse response.

Legislators

Child abuse is a policy issue as well, and we support legislators with accurate child abuse statistics and decades of experience.

Our Work

Statewide Partnership & Collaborative Oversight

In Arkansas, the CACar provides collaborative oversight of Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) and Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) by serving as a convener, facilitator, and trusted partner—rather than a regulatory authority. We support consistent, high-quality, child-focused responses statewide while respecting local governance and agency autonomy.

How Collaborative Oversight Works in Arkansas

Shared Standards & Program Guidance

CACar develops and promotes Arkansas-specific model protocols aligned with National Children’s Alliance (NCA) standards and state law, offering a common framework that supports consistency while allowing local flexibility.

Technical Assistance & Capacity Building

Rather than enforcing compliance, CACar provides coaching, training, and tailored technical assistance to help CACs and MDTs build capacity, address challenges, and continuously strengthen their practices.

Continuous Quality Improvement

(rollover each section for more detail)

Relationship-Building with Statewide Leaders & Legislators

CACar builds and maintains strong relationships with state agencies, policymakers, and legislative leaders to elevate the voice of CACs and MDTs. Through education, advocacy, and ongoing dialogue, CACar helps secure resources, strengthen policy alignment, and promote statewide systems that support local CACs and MDTs in fulfilling their mission.

Connection and Alignment of Statewide Systems

As a central hub, CACar connects CACs, MDT partners, state leadership, and funders—facilitating communication, collaboration, and coordinated problem-solving across Arkansas’s child abuse response system.

MDT Support & Coordination

Through statewide MDT guidance, convenings, and facilitation, CACar strengthens interagency collaboration, clarifies roles, and supports effective MDT functioning. CACar acts as a neutral partner to help resolve challenges and reinforce shared goals.

Want to know more?

Here are a few Arkansas resources detailing the work of CACar.

Arkansas Law about CACs Centers

Arkansas Act 975

Section 9-5-104 - Duties of Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas - Child safety centers

The Faces behind CACar

Our CACar Staff

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas employs a full-time staff who lead new initiatives, manage existing programs and oversee day-to-day operations.