NASHUA, NH – The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of Hillsborough County held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday evening for the opening of their new location at 16 Broad St. in Nashua, with community members and leaders.
“[This is] a moment that marks not only the beginning of a new chapter for the Granite State Children’s Alliance, but a milestone in Hillsborough’s County’s commitment to healing, safety, and justice for our children,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Toni Pappas.
Since first opening its doors in 2004, the Nashua CAC has served 3,603 children. With their new location, the CAC will now be able to offer expanded services to children and families. Since opening on Oct. 1, 2024, the center has supported 79 children.
The Granite State Children’s Alliance is the chapter organization for all 11 child advocacy centers in the state, directly operating four, including the Nashua center.
From left, Gov. Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas, and Hillsborough County Commissioner Toni Pappas. Photos/Dan Splaine Photography
“At the core, a child advocacy center is a neutral, family friendly, child friendly location for conducting a forensic interview of a child who’s been suspected or reported of having experienced child abuse,” said Megan Oliviero, director of outreach and education for the center.
“The foundation of a child advocacy center is what’s called a multidisciplinary team approach,” she explained. “It is considered best practice. It is the NH attorney general’s protocol for conducting child abuse investigations, that a multidisciplinary team (MDT) is formed and it’s coordinated by a child advocacy center.”
The MDT consists of law enforcement, DCYF, prosecutors, mental health supports, medical health supports, a family support specialist, and forensic interviewers.
CACs receive referrals from law enforcement and DCYF for instances of suspected or reported child abuse. Children come to the center and participate in an interview with a forensic interviewer, which is observed by the multidisciplinary team in another room.
“Everybody has their own hat on when they’re observing the interview and really participating in the interview from their perspective as an MDT member,” Oliviero said.
“It’s transformative. It reduces trauma, improves engagement, and helps children and their families begin the path towards healing quickly and effectively,” Commissioner Pappas said of the MDT model during the ceremony.
Now at its new location, the Nashua CAC is the second of the state’s CACs to provide on-site behavioral health care and specialized medical services.
“We were referring kids out to other community partners and providers which is wonderful, but I think that we all know living in New Hampshire that they are often met with long waiting lists or issues potentially with insurance,” Oliviero said.
Having behavioral health services on-site means the elimination of these barriers, with no waitlist and all services free of charge.
In New Hampshire, all adults are mandated reporters, meaning they must report suspected abuse of any kind.
“Without adults intervening on a child’s behalf, child advocacy centers are not able to become a solution or a safe place for that child,” Oliveira said. “We need adults to stand up and say that is not okay.”
During the ceremony, Hillsborough County Commissioners were thanked for having awarded Granite State Children’s Alliance the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds that made the relocation possible.
“We’re happy this vision is a reality,” Commissioner Pappas said. “We look forward to the positive ripple effects that this center will have for many many years to come.”