YWCA CARE House^TM

The YWCA CARE House is the first Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Wisconsin.  The primary goal of the CARE House is to ensure that children are not further victimized by the intervention systems designed to protect them.  We provide a child-focused, child friendly facility in which representatives from many disciplines - law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, family and victim advocacy - work together, conducting joint forensic interviews and making team decisions about the investigation, treatment, management and prosecution of child abuse cases.  The combined wisdom and professional knowledge of professionals of different disciplines, result in a more complete understanding of case issues and the most effective, child and family-focused system response.

CARE House interviews are most often scheduled by a law enforcement or child protective services representative.  The child and their non-offending caregiver come to the CARE House to speak with a forensic interview specialist about allegations of child abuse.  Following the interview, the parent(s) or guardian(s) will meet with all the team members to learn what was disclosed in the interview, what will happen next and to answer any questions the family members may have. 

If you have concerns about a child that you know or suspect is being abused, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the Rock County Department of Child Protective Services at (608) 757-5200.