I am honored to present to you Denver Children’s Advocacy Center’s (DCAC) annual report. Over the past year, our team at DCAC has continued to be at the forefront of preventing and responding to child abuse in our community. Through our dedicated efforts in community outreach, assessment and treatment, rapid response, and collaboration with partners, we have made significant strides in fulfilling our mission.
One of our key focuses has been on community outreach and prevention. As Denver experienced an unprecedented influx in newcomer families, we have risen to the challenge and lended our expertise in mental health and trauma-informed care to children and families migrating to Denver. This work, which has strengthened our ties within the community and allowed us to uphold our commitment to racial equity, includes support groups in schools, connection to valuable resources, and essential treatment services. In 2023, we reached 4,533 children and 512 parents and caregivers with our community outreach and prevention work.
We have also dedicated significant focus to strengthening and broadening the work of our Rapid Response services. Our Rapid Response team are truly first responders to reports of child abuse and neglect in Denver county, providing caring, trauma-informed crisis response for child victims and their families. This year, we invested concentrated effort into staff development, enhancing our victim advocate program and deepening collaborations so that we are able to deliver the best quality services to children and families in Denver. Meanwhile, we conducted 923 forensic interviews and 6,586 victim advocacy sessions.
Furthermore, our commitment to professional development has created great opportunities for our team members to grow and excel in their roles. We have prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by investing in training, conversations, and education around DEI principles, ensuring that our organization is inclusive and accessible to all.
Collaboration has been a cornerstone of our work, as we continue to partner with community organizations and the Denver Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). This approach has enabled us to effectively address the complex needs of our community and deliver comprehensive services to those in need.
As I reflect on the past 20 years of my tenure with DCAC, I am proud of the growth and impact we have achieved together. My biggest takeaways are the resilience and strength of our team, the unwavering support of our partners and supporters, and the transformative difference we have made in the lives of countless children and families. I will forever be inspired by this work.
Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission. Together, we can create a safer and brighter future for all.
PLEASE READ THE FULL ANNUAL REPORT HERE.
Warm regards,
Angela Davidson, Executive Director