Child Advocates of Fort Bend operates under a community-based, multi-disciplinary team model. Not only do we provide direct services, but we also act as a facilitator and convener to ensure all agencies are present and actively working child abuse cases so that no child falls through the cracks. This model strengthens seamless delivery of services, enhances collaboration between partner agencies and provides a level of convenience for our clients.
With the child’s “best interests” as the focus, we collaborate with partner agencies in a public-private partnership approach. One of the unique aspects of this collaboration is the co-housing of four partners in our building to facilitate interaction. Housed with us are the Child Abuse Divisions of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office and County Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Conservatorship and Investigations units and detectives from the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.
On a daily basis, we also partner with University of Texas CARE Program at the Texas Medical Center and Harris Health System, all law enforcement jurisdictions in Fort Bend County, the courts, school districts, and the Fort Bend County Court Team for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers.
The CAC conducts bi-weekly Case Review Team Meetings with partner agencies in attendance. Cases are prioritized, discussed, action steps identified and cases expedited, as appropriate.
We operate under a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) which further strengthens the relationship between CPS and Law Enforcement. The CAC reviews all state intakes of reports of child abuse to supplement reviews concurrently being conducted by CPS and Law Enforcement. Children who meet the criteria for sexual and physical abuse are immediately referred to our Children’s Advocacy Center for forensic interviews and services. This additional screening has resulted in identifying children who might otherwise have not received services.
Our work could not be accomplished without the collaboration and partnership of all these agencies. Together, we continue to change the lives of thousands of children in our community.
Partner Agencies
Formal Partnerships
- Access Health
- UT Health Sciences Pediatric & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program
- Fort Bend ISD
- 328th District Court
- 387th District Court
- 505th District Court
- Arcola Police Department
- Austin County District Attorney’s Office
- Austin County Sheriff’s Office
- Bellville Police Department
- Brookshire Police Department
- City of Waller Police Department
- Coastal Bend Children’s Court
- Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) – Child Care Licensing
- DFPS – Children’s Protective Services (CPS) and CPI
- DFPS – Adult Protective Services
- Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
- Fort Bend County Attorney’s Office
- Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office
- Fort Bend ISD Police Department
- Fulshear Police Department
- Harris Health System
- Houston Police Department
- Katy ISD Police Department
- Katy Police Department
- Lamar Consolidated ISD
- Meadows Place Police Department
- Missouri City Police Department
- Needville Police Department
- Prairie View Police Department
- Richmond Police Department
- Rosenberg Police Department
- Royal ISD Police Department
- Sealy ISD Police Department
- Stafford Police Department
- Sugar Land Police Department
- University of Texas Medical School CARE Clinic
- Waller County District Attorney’s Office
- Waller County Sheriff’s Office
- Wallis Police Department
- Lamar CISD Police Department
Referrals/Affiliations
- Depelchin Children’s Center
- Fort Bend County Women’s Center
- Fort Bend Social Services
- HAY (Houston Alumni Youth) Center
- Office of the Attorney General Crime Victim Compensation Program
- Texana
- Katy Cares
