Child Advocacy Center Mental Health Partners

The Gallatin County Child Advocacy Center (GCCAC) is an accredited advocacy center through the National Children's Alliance and are looking to expand our partnerships as we continue to serve more children and families. The National Children's Alliance requires our mental health providers to meet certain criteria and training standards. If you are interested in working with us please read the accreditation standards below for our mental health partners. We would also be happy to help get your organization connected with appropriate training if you are interested in partnering with us but do not meet all of the accreditation standards. You can view the full accreditation standards HERE.
 
If you are interested in partnering with us as a mental health provider, please email Sage at [email protected].

​Mental Health Standards

• Mental Health (MH) services are provided by professionals who have training in trauma focused, evidence supported mental health treatment. All mental health providers for CAC clients must meet the following training requirements
  • MH providers have completed 40 contact hours of CEU in accordance with their licensure requirements, CEUs from specific evidenced based treatment for trauma training, and clinical supervision hours by a licensed clinical supervisor
  • MH providers must meet at least one of the following academic training standards: Masters degree, licensed, certified, or supervised by a licensed MH professional; Master’s degree or license eligible in a related MH field; OR Student intern in accredited MH related grad program when supervised by a licensed MH professional
• MH providers working with CAC clients must have at least 8 hours of continuing education every two years in the field of child abuse
• Evidence supported, trauma focused mental health services for the child client are consistently available and must include the following
  • Trauma specific assessment including traumatic events and abuse related trauma sx; Use of standardized assessments to measure inform tx and assess progress/outcomes; Individualize tx plans based on assessments/evaluations; Individualized evidence supported tx as appropriate for each client; caregiver engagement in tx; Referral to community services as needed
• MH services are available and accessible to all CAC child clients regardless of ability to pay
• MDT protocol includes access to trauma informed MH assessment and tx for all CAC clients
• MDT protocols define the roles/responsibilities of MH professionals on MDT. These responsibilities include:
  • Participating in MDT case review; Sharing relevant info with MDT while protecting client’s confidentiality rights; Serving as a clinical consultant to MDT on issues r/t child trauma and evidence based tx; Supporting the MDT in monitoring the tx progess and outcomes of clients
• The MDTs written protocols include provisions about the sharing of MH info and how client confidentiality and MH records will be protected in accordance with state and federal laws
• The CAC must provide supportive services to caregivers to address: Safety of child(ren); Emotional impact of abuse allegations; Risk of future abuse; Issues or distress that allegations trigger. These services are available onsite or through linkage agreements with other appropriate providers.
• Clinicians providing MH services to CAC clients participate in ongoing clinical supervision/consultation