Our Impact
In an effort to improve the lives of abused children in Collier County, the Children's Advocacy Center looks at the latest trends and research for both the prevention and intervention of child abuse. A key study that governs what we do is the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is the term given to describe all types of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic experiences that occur to children under the age of 18.
The ACE Study examined the relationships between these experiences during childhood and reduced health and wellbeing later in life.
* The study found that our childhood experiences have a tremendous lifelong impact on the health and quality of our lives. The ACE Study showed dramatic links between adverse childhood experiences and risky behavior, psychological issues, serious illness, and significantly shortened life expectancy.
* The estimated average lifetime cost per victim of nonfatal child abuse and neglect is $210,000 (in 2010 dollars) effecting:
childhood health care costs,
adult medical costs,
productivity losses,
child welfare costs,
criminal justice costs,
special education costs.
The estimated average lifetime cost per death is $1,272,900, including medical costs and productivity losses.
* Research suggests the benefits of effective prevention positively outweigh the costs of child abuse and neglect. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the total U.S. lifetime costs associated with child maltreatment at $124 billion.
Because of this research the CAC designs all of its programs to minimize, prevent, and heal the trauma caused by the numerous adverse childhood experiences our children face.
Graph showing actual services provided versus need of services.
Currently there are more children who need our life saving services than we can provide. Gaps in services could be filled to provide better more encompassing services to the children who need them.
It costs us $870 to help each child and their family.
We need your help to invest in the right people, build and update the facility, and provide the evidence-based programs proven to work.