Expanding the Sitka, Alaska, Child Advocacy Center

This program furthers the Department's mission by providing cooperative agreements for enhancement and expansion of Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) to organizations that OJJDP designates. The purpose of this program is to increase the coverage and capacity of CAC services in Alaska for child victims of abuse. Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) is a federally recognized tribal government within the City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska. Sitka is located in Southeast Alaska and is accessible to other communities only by air or water. Sitka has approximately 9,000 year-round residents. Until recently, children who were victims of abuse or witnesses of traumatic events had to fly to a CAC in Juneau because there was not one in Sitka. Last year, STA began a CAC for the youth of Sitka. This project has many startup costs that Sitka's original funding did not cover. Under this project, STA will be able to establish a CAC by supporting infrastructure needs such as forensic equipment that includes a recording system, colposcope, and alternative light source kit; rent and utilities; and supplies to set up the center. Partnerships with the local hospital for behavioral health and sexual assault nurse examiners are already in place. This project will result in a fully operational CAC. CA/NCF