Children's Advocacy Center of the New River Valley - Radford University(School of Social Work)

In the summer of 2001 Dr. Diane Hodge and Rana Duncan-Daston, from Radford University School of Social Work, met with administrators of agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and severe neglect cases in the New River Valley to discuss their interest in developing a CAC. Meetings were also held with the Radford University departments of nursing, psychology, criminal justice, and education. This idea was well received and a kick off event was held in October 2001.

Following this event a task force formed, meeting every 6 to 8 weeks, to develop the NRV-CAC. The task force is made up of stakeholders from the prosecutors’ office, child protective services, law enforcement, medical, domestic violence, mental health, and child abuse prevention and advocacy agencies/programs in the NRV. Faculty from social work, psychology, criminal justice, and nursing are also representatives on the task force.

University and community partnerships/collaborations are not uncommon. They support the mission of land-grant universities, and many smaller state and private colleges build service relationships within the communities where they are located. However, Radford University’s partnership with Pulaski, Montgomery, Floyd, and Giles Counties and Radford City in developing a CAC is unique in its scope. There are only two other universities in the nation that are connected with a CAC, both of these programs serve one jurisdiction and are located in urban cities.