Children's Advocacy Center of Illinois (CACI)

09/03/2026

This is happening everywhere and it’s happening FAST.

That innocent photo of a child; a school picture, family photo, or snapshot from the soccer field can be copied, altered, and turned into something harmful and awful.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported a 6,300%+ increase in reports involving generative AI and child sexual exploitation in just one year from 6,835 in the first half of 2024 to 440,419 in the first half of 2025.

What was once a harmless way to share childhood moments has become more complicated as AI makes it easier to copy and manipulate children's images.

Think before you post. Even if you’ve always shared your child’s photos online, consider changing that practice. Technology has changed and so has the risk.

Some other tips:
🔒 Keep accounts and photos private.
👕 Check backgrounds for schools, locations, uniforms, or other identifying details.
🧒 As children get older, ask before sharing their images.
🚫 Avoid posting vulnerable or embarrassing photos.

Your child doesn't have to do anything wrong. Someone else can misuse their image.

Their image. Their identity. Their safety.

💙 Every child deserves to be heard, protected, and supported.

Learn more and get tips from: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/sharenting

Expert tips on protecting your child’s privacy in the digital age

09/03/2026

What an incredible 1.5 days at our very first Forensic Interviewer Conference! 💙

There was something truly special about having so many of Illinois’ forensic interviewers together in one room. Many have only known each other through virtual meetings and screens, so having the opportunity to connect face-to-face, share stories and experiences, network, and learn alongside one another was incredibly meaningful.

Our amazing presenters brought valuable knowledge and expertise, but some of the most powerful learning happened in the conversations between interviewers themselves. The opportunity to share experiences, challenges, successes, and wisdom with others who truly understand this work is something we hope everyone walked away with.

Thank you to everyone who unplugged, stepped away from your busy schedules, and took the time to invest in yourselves. The work you do is incredibly important—and taking time to learn, connect, and recharge matters too.

We are so grateful for everyone who helped make our first Forensic Interviewer Conference such a success.

08/21/2026

The Next Chapter for Illinois Children 💙

We’re proud to celebrate that Governor Pritzker signed Public Act 104-0832 (SB 3510) into law, effective January 1, 2027!

This bipartisan legislation strengthens Illinois’ child protection system by:

• Establishing not only the right to a forensic interview through an accredited children's advocacy center, but requiring that children and parents to be notified of that right.
• Strengthening multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and coordinated, trauma-informed responses.
• Improving communication and information sharing among MDT partners.
• Closing gaps and loopholes that can leave children without the coordinated response they deserve.
• Strengthening Illinois’ response to child and youth human trafficking.
• Recognizing CACI’s statewide leadership role in supporting CACs, MDTs, training, data, and system improvement.

This is an important step toward ensuring every child has access to a skilled forensic interview, a strong MDT, and a coordinated response when they need it most.

We are grateful to the Governor, our Chief Sponsors State Senator Julie Morrison and State Representative Michelle Mussman, co-sponsor's State Senator Christopher Belt, State Senator Sally Turner, State Senator Mattie Hunter, State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, Senator Adriane Johnson, State Senator Li Arellano, Jr, State Senator Jason Plummer, State Senator Chris Balkema, State Representative Stephanie Kifowit, State Rep Sue Scherer, State Representative Amy Briel, State Representative Fred Crespo, and State Representative Matt Hanson for State Rep Dist 83, the Illinois General Assembly, advocates, CACs, MDT partners, and child-serving professionals who helped make this bipartisan effort possible.

Every abused child deserves to be heard, protected, and supported. 💙

08/20/2026

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI) is looking for a Director of Finance and Grant Accounting to join our team!

This leadership position plays a vital role in managing CACI’s day-to-day financial operations, accounting functions, and grant fiscal activities. The Director will work closely with our Chief Operating Officer and other staff to ensure strong financial management, accurate reporting, fiscal compliance, effective financial controls, and sound stewardship of organizational funds.

If you are an experienced finance professional with a strong background in accounting, grant management, fiscal compliance, and nonprofit financial operations, we’d love to hear from you!

Help us continue supporting Children’s Advocacy Centers and the important work being done for children and families across Illinois.

Interested in joining our team? Apply today! https://www.indeed.com/job/director-finance-grant-accounting-10328720db91b6fe

08/13/2026

Thanks to Collinsville Police Department and Officer Greg for the great reminder!

Back-to-school season brings plenty of proud moments worth sharing, but before posting about your child online, take a moment to consider how much information you may be revealing.
Photos and captions can unintentionally share details such as your child’s full name, age, school, grade, teacher, daily schedule, bus stop, sports team, or other regularly visited locations. When combined, these details can provide strangers with more information about your child than you intended.

When posting, try to keep information general and non-descriptive.
✅ “Excited for another great school year!”
✅ “First day back!”
✅ “Proud of this kid!”

Instead of:
❌ “Emma Smith, Lincoln Elementary, Mrs. Jones’ class!”
❌ Photos showing school IDs, classroom numbers, bus information, addresses, or schedules
❌ Posts identifying exactly where your child will be and when

A good rule to remember: Share the moment just not the details.
Once information is posted online, you may no longer have control over who sees, saves, or shares it. A little caution can go a long way toward protecting your child’s privacy and safety.

08/05/2026

Discover five important school safety conversations every parent should have before the first day of school and beyond to help children stay safe, confident, and prepared.

08/05/2026

📢 There's still time to submit a proposal!

We're accepting Call for Speaker proposals for the 18th Annual Champions of Children Conference through August 31!

Do you have knowledge, experience, or lessons learned that could benefit others working in the child advocacy field? We'd love to hear from you! We're especially hoping to showcase the incredible work happening at local Children's Advocacy Centers and partner agencies across Illinois and beyond.

Whether it's:
✨ A successful program or initiative
✨ A best practice or innovative approach
✨ A multidisciplinary collaboration
✨ A challenging case study and the lessons it taught your team
✨ Or a topic you're passionate about that can help strengthen our response to child abuse
..your experience could make a meaningful impact on fellow professionals.

You don't have to be a seasoned presenter to have something valuable to share. Your expertise and real-world experiences can spark new ideas, strengthen multidisciplinary partnerships, and inspire others.

🗓 Proposal Deadline: August 31

https://www.cvent.com/c/abstracts/45b71957-37eb-4ada-a6ac-10db05279219

08/04/2026

Help us welcome our newest CACI team member, Stacy Short!

Stacy is joining the CACI team as the new Executive Director of the Child Death Review Team. In this role, she will provide statewide leadership, administration, and operational oversight of Illinois’ child death review system in accordance with Illinois statute (20 ILCS 515 and related provisions), DCFS administrative rules, and nationally recognized child death review standards.

Stacy brings extensive experience working with children and families, having recently retired after 28 years of dedicated service with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

She began her DCFS career as a Child Protection Investigator and advanced through numerous leadership positions throughout her tenure. Stacy looks forward to her new role with CACI and continuing her commitment to supporting the children and families of Illinois.

Outside of work, Stacy enjoys playing golf with her family and friends and visiting the beach as often as possible.

07/27/2026

Big shoutout to Executive Director Robyn Carr of the Childrens Advocacy Centers Eastern Illinois for being profiled in this edition of the National Children's Alliance blog. Great job Robyn!

Years before joining the Children's Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois (CACECI), Robyn Carr visited a CAC and immediately knew this was work she wanted to be part of.

Today, as Executive Director of CACECI, she's focused on strengthening the organization as it celebrates 25 years of serving children and families. In the latest In Movement segment of our blog, she shares her thoughts on supporting kids in a rapidly changing world, preparing for the future of child advocacy, and why caring adults remain one of the most important resources children can have.

Get to know Robyn: https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/in-movement-robin-carr-caceci/