The Collier Children’s Advocacy Center (Collier CAC) received $1,079,000 from the Naples Children’s Foundation, awarded through proceeds from the Naples Winter Wine Festival, to expand its coordinated response to child abuse and strengthen care for children and families across Collier County.

            The funding will support Collier CAC’s ongoing specialized services, including forensic interviews, medical evaluations, advocacy and trauma-informed therapy, all provided at no cost to families. It will also enhance the organization’s capacity to serve more children and families, while reinforcing the infrastructure needed to deliver consistent, long-term support.

“This investment reflects a shared commitment to protecting children and strengthening families in our community,” said Jackie Stephens, CEO of Collier CAC. “This support allows us to expand access to highly specialized care and ensure that every child who comes through our doors receives the support they need to heal and move forward.”

More than 2,140 reports of child abuse and neglect were filed in Collier County in 2024. That same year, Collier CAC provided direct services to 1,402 children and family members, with 62% of the children served under the age of 12. As an independent nonprofit organization, Collier CAC serves as the first point of care in Collier County when abuse is suspected, working closely with law enforcement and child welfare partners to coordinate a child-centered response.

NCF hosts the Naples Winter Wine Festival annually to support local nonprofit organizations serving children in need. Over more than two decades, NCF has raised more than $366 million through the event. This year, Collier CAC was one of 33 organizations selected to receive funding as part of the $7.6 million in grants distributed.

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

About the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County 

The Collier Children’s Advocacy Center is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the first point of care for children in Collier County when abuse is suspected. Since 1986, Collier CAC has provided forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapy, family advocacy and parent education in one child-centered setting, reducing what could be up to six separate agency visits to a single coordinated response.

Collier CAC is the only organization in Collier County legally authorized to perform forensic medical exams for children under 12 and to deliver medical, court advocacy and therapeutic services under one roof. All services are provided free of charge, removing financial barriers so families can access support regardless of circumstance.

While the organization partners closely with the Department of Children and Families, law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office and Collier County Public Schools, it is not a government agency. Collier CAC relies on community support to sustain and expand its work, as abuse occurs in every zip code.

To learn more about how Collier CAC is committed to helping children find safety, healing and hope, visit caccollier.org.