The Rock Island County Children’s Advocacy Center (RICCAC) announced it has established a permanent endowment fund with Moline Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) to ensure long-term support for its work with abused children.
The agency’s mission is to reduce trauma to children through coordinated, multi-disciplinary investigations of abuse.
“This newly established endowment will provide annual funding to support our critical services well into the future, ensuring children and families in Rock Island County continue to receive the care and protection they need,” Marcy O’Brien, RICCAC executive director, said in a recent news release.
Located in Rock Island, RICCAC serves children under age 18 who have been victims of sexual or physical abuse. Local law enforcement and the Department of Children and Family Services refers all children to be interviewed at RICCAC’s center about the abuse.
RICCAC’s role is to coordinate and track the investigations, medical treatment, counseling referrals, prosecution, and training to protect the best interests of the victims and their families.
In addition to forensic interviews, the center provides comprehensive services including family advocacy and case management, referrals for medical care and counseling, court preparation, and emotional support. Therapy services are offered free of charge to children and their immediate family members to assist them in the healing process.
RICCAC also invests in prevention and education through community outreach.
“We are honored to partner with RICCAC to help their leadership and key stakeholders invest in their sustainable financial future,” Paul Plagenz, the Moline foundation’s president and CEO, said.
