This past year at the Children’s Advocacy Center has been marked by tremendous courage and growing need. We reached or tied our monthly record of 38 forensic interviews three different times—each one representing a child brave enough to share their story and a family stepping into an incredibly difficult moment. And when the interview ends, our work continues through advocacy, medical care, therapy, support throughout the court process, and safety planning, ensuring every child is surrounded with the care they need to begin healing.
We’re seeing emerging trends that make our work even more complex, including more cases involving biological fathers as offenders and more child-on-child cases within families. These situations reaffirm our purpose: to provide safety, stability, and hope so every family feels supported, connected, and never alone.
The demand for counseling continues to rise—we consistently provide about 200 sessions each month, a 25% increase from last year. And our prevention team reached over 19,000 students through nearly 900 school presentations, equipping children with the tools to understand their boundaries, use their voice, and seek help.
Every day, we watch children move from trauma to strength, from silence to confidence, from dimmed light to bold, bright possibility. That is the essence of Bold and Bright Futures—restoring safety, hope, and vibrancy to every child’s life.
And the future is bold and bright because of you. Your partnership and belief in this mission make transformation possible. Thank you for standing with us as we work to protect children, support families, and build a stronger, safer community.
Rachael DeWitt, LMSW, MPA Executive Director and Therapist
Our Impact
TOP 10 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025
We hosted our first Kick Off to Summer Kids Camp, giving children a chance to build confidence in a safe, supportive environment—reminding them that childhood is meant to be bright and full of possibility.
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We renovated our SMART Room to create a more calming, sensory-friendly environment where children can regulate, process, and play in ways that support emotional healing—and we trained additional staff to expand this therapeutic approach.
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We added a new hallway mural, bringing warmth, color, and hope to the Center—reflecting the bold and bright futures we work to create.
We launched Protegiendo at Nuestros Niños, a Spanishlanguage child abuse prevention program for adults. This was implemented in partnership with LAUP and with funding from CFHZ and Women of Color Give.
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We saw a record number of forensic interviews this year, with a more than 10% increase from the previous year. Behind every interview is a child opening up about one of the hardest experiences of their life, and a multidisciplinary team ready to respond with compassion, care, and expertise.
Participation in our support groups grew by 71%, reflecting both a rising need and the trust families place in the CAC. These groups offer children and caregivers a space to find connection, understanding, and healing together.
Interpreter use decreased by 62% thanks to our expanded bilingual and bicultural staffing. This shift means more families receive services directly from someone who speaks their language and understands their culture. 5 8
Our prevention team reached more than 19,000 elementary students this year, delivering body safety education in classrooms across Ottawa county.
We introduced a comprehensive Child Abuse Prevention Month initiative that mobilized our community through awareness, education, and partnership. Our Let Kids Have Their Childhood billboard generated 292,775 impressions and we built 160 new community connections. With support from 40+ community and company partners and more than $40,000 in sponsorships, we expanded prevention outreach, hosted engaging events and trainings, and strengthened our shared commitment to keeping children safe. 9 10 6 7
We successfully passed our once-every-five-years reaccreditation with the National Children’s Alliance—a rigorous review that affirms our commitment to the highest standards of care, coordination, and truly child-centered practice.
The future of the CAC is bold and bright.
In the coming year, we will:
• Expand prevention programming into middle and high schools.
• Enhance our outdoor space to better support children’s healing and regulation.
• Further strengthen Spanish-language outreach so all families feel welcomed and supported.
• Grow services for children with problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs), addressing a critical gap through compassionate, early intervention.
Together, we’re shaping bold, bright futures and creating a safer, stronger community for every child.
APRIL 2026: Child Abuse Prevention Month
Join us in conserving childhood! Check out the full schedule of events for Child Abuse Prevention month this April on our website: www.cac-ottawa.org
MONDAY JUNE 1, 2026
Child Abuse Benefit Golf Outing
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2026
Bids & Bites 2026
at Macatawa Golf Club, Holland at Pigeon Creek Event Center, West Olive
