An Evaluative Study of the Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection in Austin, Texas

Research Purpose: As more organizations establish child advocacy centers, there needs to be an effective tool to measure their administrative adherence to national goals and objectives. The purpose of this research is threefold. The first purpose is to describe the ideal characteristics of a child advocacy center by examining existing literature and the nine objectives of the National Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Model. The second purpose is to use these components as a guide to evaluate the administrative operations of the Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection. Finally, this project utilizes the research results to provide recommendations for improving administrative operations at the Center for Child Protection. Methodology: An examination of the National CAC Model objectives and relevant literature reveals five primary categories of the CAC assessment model. The categories, and child-friendly facilities. The components are used to assess the administrative practices and adherence to the National CAC standards. The case study research utilized document analysis, structured interviews, and direct observation. Results: The results of the case study show that the Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection meets all the rated criteria in the forensic interview category. It exceeds the criteria in the child-friendly facility and health services categories. However, the multidisciplinary team and case management categories demonstrated room for improvement.

Name thesis:degree_name

Masters in Public Administration

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Public Administration

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Campbell, Anna Katherine

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Shields, Patricia M.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Rahm, Dianne
• Lay-Esparza, Elena

• child advocating
• center assessment model
• child abuse investigation
• evaluative study
• Kozmetsky Center for Child Protection
• Austin
• Texas

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/3788

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/3788