Children come to the CAC for a forensic interview when we receive a referral from Law Enforcement or the Department of Children and Family Services after they receive a report alleging child sexual abuse and/or severe physical abuse. After receiving a referral, the CAC staff make contact with the family to answer questions and schedule an interview time. At times, a child/family may not be a good fit for a forensic interview or may not want to proceed with the interview. These families can still be referred to the CAC for services and advocacy support by the multidisciplinary team.

The CAC Counselor-Advocates greets the child and their family members at the Center. The child(ren) and family are given a chance to tour the space, including interview rooms, and ask any questions they might have. The child and their caregiver(s) will be brought to the family waiting room and fill out paperwork such as the interview consent form and a trauma screening form. Older children will also be asked to complete a self-report trauma screener. This helps our advocates to provide resources tailored to your child's needs! The child will be interviewed, and family members will wait in a separate room with the counselor-advocate. While the child is being interviewed, the counselor-advocate will provide information on the criminal justice process and possible trauma responses from children, among other relevant topics. Based on the conversations with the caregiver, the counselor-advocate will make referrals to help with the child and family’s needs.

One member of the multidisciplinary team will be designated to conduct the interview.  Interviewers have received specialized training in how to interview children. The forensic interview takes place in a child-focused comfortable room.  The remaining members of the team view the interview in a room nearby via video cameras in the room. This interview is considered confidential criminal justice information and remains in the custody of the law enforcement person assigned to the child's case.

No, parents or family members are not allowed to view the interview.  The interview is part of an investigation and anyone viewing the interview could be served by a court subpoena.  As a result, only law enforcement, a representative from the County or City Attorney’s Office, DPHHS, and a member of the CAC staff are allowed to observe.

After the interview concludes, the interviewer will walk the child back to the family waiting room to be reunited with their caregiver. Law enforcement and DPHHS (if involved) will meet with the family and inform them as to how the investigation will proceed. Based on the age of the child, law enforcement and DPHHS may meet with the family in a separate room for this discussion while the counselor-advocate remains with the child. During this time, the counselor-advocate will check in with the child and will offer a survey to children seven-years and older to get feedback about their experience at the Center. Parents will also be offered the opportunity to complete a survey following their experience at the CAC. This survey can be completed in person or sent via text/email to be completed at the caregivers convenience.  The services provided by the CAC do not end when families leave the CAC.  Our Counselor-Advocates will remain in touch with clients to keep them informed about the progress of the case, access needed services and/or assist in legal proceedings that may arise in the course of the investigation. Counselor-Advocates may also provide trauma-focused mental health services to adults and children who are referred to the CAC.

If you need to report child abuse or neglect, please call the 24/7 Montana Child & Family Services number at (866) 820-5437.

Funding for the CAC is provided through state/federal grants, private grants, a portion of Sacks Thrift sales, and donations. If you would like to donate to the CAC please visit our donate page.