What is a CAC? A CAC provides a community based, collaborative, child-focused response to child abuse. Its primary focus is the reduction of trauma to the child. The secondary focus is to provide improved investigative outcomes in Child Abuse cases. Core services include
• Providing a Child Focused Setting
• Forensic Interviewing
• Victim Advocacy
• Medical Services
• Case Review
• Case Tracking
Wally’s House also provides Prevention Education to all ages. Adult workshops include at minimum - Darkness 2 Light trainings. Child Education includes workshops for “I Am the Boss of My Body” School Programs, Teen Education for Prevention, and providing hands-on materials which educate about recognition and prevention of abuse. Wally’s House has been privileged to have a commercially zoned home remodeled and donated in service to the child abuse intervention efforts – from interview room with recording equipment and the ability for law enforcement officials and DHS caseworkers to unobtrusively observe the interviews, to a fully functional treatment room to collect evidence necessary to successfully prosecute offenders and protect the children against future abuse from these individuals. The child-friendly, warm environment at Wally’s House is a huge improvement over the sterile, somewhat-public facilities provided in government buildings. Wally’s House is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteer board members and a wonderfully energetic executive director, dedicated administrative assistant, and 2 advocates. The center is being operated with public funding, principally from the Oregon Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Intervention (CAMI) Fund, Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Noncompetitive grant, Ford Foundation grant, and most recently Oregon’s Child Advocacy Center fund. Wally’s House is a 501©3 organization which operates independent of County funds and is funded with public funds and donations. Mission: To provide compassionate intervention, assessment, and advocacy for victims and their families, while supporting a child-focused, community-based system of prevention and healing.
