The recipient entity's physical address:
           807 N. Columbia St., Ste. 9
Covington, LA 70433

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           807 N. Columbia St., Ste. 9
Covington, LA 70433

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Wade Bond
Stacie LeBlanc
Erika Dupepe
Jessica Milan-Miller
Toni Bankston

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  9783

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $2,000,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Tiffany O'Neal
614 N. 2nd St,
Monroe, LA 71201

Joelle Henderson
1504 West Church St.
Hammond, LA 70401

Aelania Auzenne
1700 Buckner Square, Suite 101,
Shreveport, LA 71101

Monica Tayler
1885 N. 3rd St,
Baton Rouge 70802

Christina Johnson
17078 E. Willow Dr,
Prairieville, LA 70769

Charlie Picou
1885 N. 3rd St,
Baton Rouge 70802

Tara Gauthier
1101 Calhoun St,
New Orleans, LA 70118

Bernadette Pickett
305 Verret St.
Houma, LA 70360

Anna Grimmett
614 N. 2nd St,
Monroe, LA 71201

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Louisiana Alliance of Children’s Advocacy Centers (LACAC) is a non-profit organization established for the empowerment, collaboration, & advocacy of Louisiana’s Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC). LACAC is the nationally recognized state chapter for Louisiana CACs, representing the independent centers.

CACs protect and care for victims of child abuse including victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, human trafficking, and children who witness violent crime. In 2020, over 5,285 Louisiana children were brought to a CAC. As recognized by the legislature in the Children’s Code (Article 521-526), the CAC model is the preferred response to allegations of criminal child abuse in the state. CACs assume tremendous responsibility on behalf of and in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure a coordinated response to child abuse.

At a CAC, a child shares their experiences of abuse with a trained forensic interviewer. Interviews are video recorded and admissible in court as evidence. Interviews are developmentally appropriate, unbiased, and legally sound. This process reduces trauma by minimizing the number of times children have to talk about their abuse experience. Through the CAC, victims and their families have access to therapy and resources as CAC advocates help them through the investigative process. The multidisciplinary team (MDT), made up of representatives from law enforcement, child welfare, prosecution, medical, mental health, victim advocacy, and the CAC, collaborates from the point of report and throughout a child’s involvement with the CAC. This collaborative process prevents duplication of services, reduces trauma, and improves both investigative and treatment outcomes. For quality assurance, CACs are required to maintain rigorous national accreditation standards through the National Children’s Alliance (NCA).

An appropriation of $2 million would increase the quality and accessibility of services for child abuse victims and their families through CACs.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $2,000,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The overall purpose sought to be achieved through state funds is to provide every child and family impacted by abuse in Louisiana access to high quality care, justice, and healing through a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC).

CACs are currently funded by the Louisiana legislature. State funds appropriated for FY 2022-23 would continue to be administered to CACs for use towards their purpose as defined in The Children’s Code (Ch 2, Art 521 - Art 526).

State funds would continue supporting the following programs: forensic interviews, forensic medical evaluations and treatment, family advocacy, multidisciplinary team response, community outreach and training, and trauma-informed therapy. The definition of a CAC as outlined in the Children’s Code would ensure funds are confined to the purpose of CACs. In addition to strengthening current programs, increased funding will expand access to critical services and reach currently underserved populations. Fully funding CACs would allow for a stronger and more consistent network of CACs. A portion of state funding would be retained by LACAC to administer the funds and support the programs and operations of the state chapter.

An appropriation of $2 million would increase the quality and accessibility of services for child abuse victims and their families through CACs. This proposed funding amount would place Louisiana in line with states with similar population levels. Funding CACs offers an enormous return on investment by providing immediate support in a cost-effective manner, improving long-term outcomes, and contributing to the overall health of society. On average, $1,000 is saved per child abuse investigation when the CAC model is used.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          To support the delivery of core services and adherence to specified CAC responsibilities as defined by the LA Children’s Code Art 521-526;
To foster the growth and expansion of CAC services to increase access to underserved populations and communities;
To support and expand the organizational capacity of CACs;
To assist CACs in achieving and maintaining national accreditation standards to promote statewide quality assurance.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           Ongoing/annually

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                 

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
              

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               


Contact Information
name:  Krystle Mitchell 
                                       address:  807 N. Columbia St., Ste. 9
Covington, LA 70433
                                       phone:  228-731-5566
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  krystle@lacacs.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Program Director