Collier Children’s Advocacy Center receives $30,000 grant to support crisis stabilization for children and families

The Collier Children’s Advocacy Center (Collier CAC) received a $30,000 grant from the United Way of Collier County and the Keys to support crisis stabilization programs for local children and families impacted by abuse. The funding will provide free trauma-focused therapy and case management connecting clients with essential needs, helping families remain stable during times of crisis.

            “This grant helps us fill critical gaps between state and federal grants, allowing us to provide holistic, child-centered care without interruption,” said Jackie Stephens, CEO of Collier CAC. “We can concentrate on immediate safety, trauma treatment and prevention to stabilize families facing financial and emotional crises caused by child abuse.”

All Collier CAC services are provided at no cost, saving families an average of $2,255 per client in therapy and advocacy expenses.

Collier CAC’s support for working families with limited incomes, often referred to as ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed), is designed to address both the immediate crisis and the long-term consequences of child abuse. The program focuses on families living at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, helping remove financial barriers at the moment abuse occurs and stabilizing households so recovery can begin.

Collier CAC also partners with SACRED to help families heal by reducing the immediate risk of financial crisis. The program provides short-term assistance – up to $4,000 in some cases – to prevent homelessness and allow caregivers to focus on their child’s recovery. Support can include wage reimbursement, medical costs and emergency needs.

Through evidence-based interventions such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed parenting and coordinated advocacy, Collier CAC helps children build resilience and begin the path to healing. These programs address immediate crises while helping stabilize families and reduce long-term financial and emotional hardship.

To learn more about how to support Collier CAC, visit caccollier.org/ways-to-give.