History of CACs in Arkansas
1985
The Children's Advocacy Center of Southeast Arkansas files for a 501(c)3 to start Arkansas' first Child Advocacy Center
1995
In 1985, Alabama prosecutor, Robert "Bud" Cramer organizes the CAC Model, starting a movement across the nation in child welfare. Cramer went on to establish the National Children's Advocacy Center in Huntsville, AL, and served 18 years as a US Representative for Alabama's 5th District.
Children’s Safety Center of Washington County in Springdale, AR is established.
1996
The Children and Family Advocacy Center of Benton County in Little Flock, AR is established.
2000
Texarkana Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana, AR is established.
1999
Arkansas Association of Children's Advocacy Centers is established to coordinate services between the state's three CACs
Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center in Berryville, AR is established.
2004
2003
The Arkansas Association of Children's Advocacy Centers changes its name to The Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas (CACar) State Chapter in Little Rock, AR becoming incorporated to represent Arkansas' network of CACs.
Children's Advocacy Center of Eastern Arkansas in West Memphis, AR is established. This center reopened in 2022 as Mending Hearts Child Safety Center
Cooper- Anthony Mercy Children’s Advocacy Center in Hot Springs , AR is established.
2005
Wade Knox Children’s Advocacy Center
in Lonoke, AR is established
Children’s Protection Center in Little Rock, AR is established
2006
Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center in Jonesboro, AR is established.
2007
2008
Child Safety Center of White County
in Searcy, AR is established
Hamilton Center for Children’s Advocacy in Fort Smith, AR is established
2009
Wade Knox Children’s Advocacy Center Opens Additional Location in Brinkley, AR
CACar Bylaws and membership policies are established
CACar s creates a part-time Executive Director position
2010
Central Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center
in Conway AR is established.
Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center of Carroll County in Berryville, AR - became a satellite 2010
Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center expands with a new primary location in Harrison, AR.
CACar's first Child Protection Luncheon with the Senator Percy Malone Award is held
CACar hosts the first Child Protection Luncheon, honoring Dr. Jerry G. Jones with the new annual Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
2012
Dr. Karen Farst is honored as 2013 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
2011
Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center in Arkadelphia, AR established.
Lisa McGee is honored as 2012 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
2013
Three CACs open additional locations statewide
:
Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center of Howard County in Nashville, AR
Cooper- Anthony Mercy Children’s Advocacy Center of Mena in Polk County
Mending Hearts Child Safety Center of Forrest Cit in St. Francis county
2015
2014
Carolyn Pollan is honored as 2014 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
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CACar creates of the Woman of Inspiration Gala , and becomes First Lady of Arkansas, Susan Hutchinson's official platform
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First Chapter Office is establish in North Little Rock.
Daniel Shue honored as 2014 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
Children’s Advocacy Center of South Arkansas
in El Dorado, AR is established.
Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County in Batesville, AR established.
River Valley Children’s Advocacy Center in Russellville AR established.
2017
Dr. Karen Worley honored as 2017 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
2016
CACar honors Mrs. Johnell Hunt as the 2016 Woman of Inspiration
CACar honors Mrs. Lisenne Rockefellar as the 2017 Woman of Inspiration
Beverly Engle is honored as 2016 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
Dr. Teresa Kramer honored as 2018 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
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CACar honors Mrs. Mrs. Shelley McMillon as the 2018 Woman of Inspiration
Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center expands with an additional location in Baxter County
2019
Max Snowden honored as 2019 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
CACar receives TANF funding, uses funds to create subgrants for CACs, hire a Grants Administrator, and create policies for oversight and compliance.
Two CACs open additional locations statewide:
Children’s Advocacy Center of Monticello in Drew County
Cooper- Anthony Mercy Children’s Advocacy Center of Saline County in Benton, AR
2018
CACar moves the State Chapter office to the Union Plaza Building downtown Little Rock
CACar hires first Development Specialist position
CACar honors Mrs. Donna Malone as the 2019 Woman of Inspiration
CACar receives first federal VOCA funding, uses funds to create a statewide CAC database and launch a statewide public child abuse awareness and response campaign.
CACar develops a statewide database to standardize reporting for all CACs
2020
Two CACs open additional locations statewide:
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Central Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center of Van Buren in Clinton, AR
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Children’s Advocacy Center of Western Benton County in Gentry, AR
CACar honors Mrs. Gene Jones as the 2021 Woman of Inspiration
CACar advocates for legislative reforms that elevate Arkansas to the national standard for child abuse response. Act 975, now signed into law, transfers oversight of the MDT to CACar—officially establishing the ARMDT.
2023
ARMDT launches the Mission and Vision tour to align MDTs across the state with collective values:
VISION
We envision the MDT as the leaders in innovative and collaborative child abuse response whereby ALL children enjoy their right to be protected from abuse and neglect and have access to ALL services through our coordinated efforts.
VALUES
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Above all else, the child comes first.
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Every child matters. Every service matters. Every member matters.
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Collaboration and coordination is essential.
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Uniqueness is powerful.
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Demonstrating trust.
2021
CACar hires Director of MDT Project
CACar hires Director of CAC Initiatives
CACar opens the ARMDT Training Center
CACar honors Mrs. Susan Hutchinson with the Woman of Inspiration Lifetime Achievement Award
Mary Beth Luibel is posthumously honored as 2021 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
2022
CACar creates Information Technology Operation Manager position
Arkansas Representative Charlene Fite is honored as 2022 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
Mischa Martin is honored as 2023 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
CACar honors Mrs. Danyelle Musselman with the 2023 Woman of Inspiration Award
2024
Dr. Sufna John is honored as 2024 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
CACar, with the generous support of Attorney General Tim Griffin, builds a comprehensive statewide database to track the work of ARMDT
CACar rebrands annual fundraising dinner as Inspiration Gala
CACar hires Program Manager for MDT and Training
2025
CACar, in collaboration with the MDT Oversight Committee and statewide partners, developes and publishes the first Arkansas Model Multidisciplinary Team Protocol, establishing best-practice guidelines for Arkansas’s child abuse response.
The MDT Oversight Committee is honored as 2025 recipient of the Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award
CACar honors Dr. Karen Farst with the 2025 Inspire Award
CACar honors Attorney General Tim Griffin and Elizabeth Griffin with the 2024 Inspire Award