Page 24 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2026

PEOPLE
WORKING TOGETHER FOR
SAFER CHILDHOODS
When a child experiences abuse, the path to healing and justice can be overwhelming for both the child and for their family.
In Mississippi, that path is strengthened by a coordinated, statewide response designed to reduce trauma, protect children, and promote long-term safety. Through the network led by Children’s Advocacy Centers of MississippiTM, communities across the state work together to ensure children are not navigating these experiences alone.
Mississippi’s statewide network includes 15 local Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC), strategically located to serve children in every region of the state. These centers bring together professionals from multiple disciplines to respond to child
abuse in a unified, child-focused way. Rather than relying on fragmented systems, this approach centers on multidisciplinary teams that include CAC professionals, law enforcement,
Child Protective Services, medical providers, prosecutors, mental health clinicians, and community partners. By sharing information, aligning responsibilities, and making joint decisions, these teams prioritize child safety while strengthening accountability.
Together, these teams coordinate investigations and healing services, so children do not have to endure multiple interviews or navigate complex systems alone. Rather than requiring children to tell their story repeatedly to different agencies, child advocacy centers coordinate investigations and services so that children and caregivers receive support in one safe, neutral setting. This approach not only
reduces trauma for
children, but research
also demonstrates that
it improves outcomes
for families and
strengthens cases when
abuse has occurred.
The impact of this coordinated response
is significant. In 2025, 9,490 children received critical services through Mississippi’s
story by Karla Steckler Tye, Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi photos courtesy of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi
24 | May 2026 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living