The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) sustains outreach programs and sliding fee services for child victims of abuse, trauma and loss and their non-offending family members. The Child Trauma and Grief Recovery Program (CTGRP) provides community outreach to child crime victims in three ways:

CAC On-site services: include assessment and forensically-informed treatment for child abuse, trauma, divorce and custody, grief and loss issues. We specialize in the treatment for children two to eight-years old and psycho-educational support for parent and caregivers.

Grounds for Healing, established by the Children's Advocacy Center in 1998, is an innovative school-based program that provides early identification, assessment, and treatment for children who are victims and witnesses of family or community violence. The project, currently located at W. T. Machan School in the Creighton School District, targets a critically underserved population of child crime victims who would not otherwise access services due to social, economic and cultural barriers. Children receive individual, trauma-specific therapy and also participate in groups that are designed to develop resiliency, adaptive coping and social competency. Garden-based therapeutic activities develop resiliency and build positive relationships. The long-term goal of the project is to expand school-based services throughout Maricopa County.

Grounds for Healing services: indcludes free group therapy for pre-school and elementary school- aged children who are victims and witnesses of violence. Located in local schools and shelters, Grounds for Healing uses garden therapy, expressive arts and trauma-specific interventions to reduce the stress-related symptoms of trauma and develop resiliency in traumatized children.

HeartWings The Children’s Advocacy Center sponsors a unique support group for children ages 3-10 and families who have lost a parent, sibling or other family member to violent death or homicide. During the first hour children and adults will meet separately for information, education, support and expressive art therapy. In the second hour children and adults will meet together for storytelling, crafts, puppetry, music and play to promote family healing. There is no charge for the groups but registration is required to attend. There will be a $10.00 fee per family if childcare is needed.

HeartWings Services: includes free group therapy and family support for children from three to eight years-old who have lost a family member to violent death or homicide. Education, emotional support and trauma-focused art-therapy and play promote family healing. To register for our next eight week session, call:
602-861-6735.