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 40 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) Investigations unit 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 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, 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.
In 2016, we implemented a Multi-Disciplinary Enhancement Program (MEP) which further strengthens the relationship between CPS and Law Enforcement. The CAC now 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. 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 (Memorandums of Understanding – MOUs)
- 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
- Hempstead Police Department
- Hempstead ISD Police Department
- Houston Police Department
- Katy ISD Police Department
- Katy Police Department
- 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
- San Felipe 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
- Access Health
- Depelchin Children’s Center
- Faith Pediatrics
- Fort Bend County Women’s Center
- Fort Bend ISD
- Fort Bend Social Services
- Fort Bend Lawyers Care
- HAY (Houston Alumni Youth) Center
- Lone Star Legal Aid
- Office of the Attorney General Crime Victim Compensation Program
- Medcare
- River Kids
- Texana
