Group of kids, one holding a magnifying glass in the woods

Your First Visit

When you arrive at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan (CAC), you are entering a safe and supportive place. We know that coming here may feel uncertain or overwhelming. Sometimes families are referred to the CAC because a concern has been raised about a child’s safety or wellbeing. In other cases, families may simply have questions or need support. You may or may not know all the details about why you were referred, and that’s okay. Our goal is to help children, teens, and caregivers feel comfortable, listened to, and supported. The information below explains what you can expect during your visit and how our team will guide you through the process.

What Happens Next

A member of our team will contact you to explain the next steps and arrange a time for your visit. Your visit may include meeting with members of our team or participating in services such as a forensic interview, depending on your child’s needs. Our goal is to coordinate care in a way that reduces the number of times a child may need to share their experience.

Once your visit is arranged, you will receive the date and time along with a text reminder before your appointment.

Kids running on a trail

When You Arrive

When you arrive at the Children’s Advocacy Center, you will be greeted by our receptionist and asked to complete a few intake forms.

If you do not speak English, we can provide virtual interpretation services in Spanish and many other languages.

Once you are checked in, the receptionist will let our team know you have arrived and help guide you through the next steps of your visit.

Four kids playing behind a tree in the woods

What to Expect

A forensic interview is often a child and family’s first experience with the Children’s Advocacy Center. Our team works with many children and understands that every child responds to trauma in their own way.

It’s natural to have questions or concerns before your visit. To learn more about what may happen during a visit, please explore the Intervention page for additional information about the process and what to expect.

Learn about Intervention
Family members playing with toys
Four children happily play on a wooden jungle gym in a sunny park, surrounded by trees and mountains. They are smiling and enjoying the outdoors.
Two boys playing with an inflatable pool outdoors.
A smiling young girl seated at a classroom table with a notebook and pen in front of her.
A joyful family playing with hula hoops on a sunny lawn. A girl in a pink shirt spins, while others join in the fun. Bright, cheerful atmosphere.
Children play a joyful game outside, forming a tunnel with raised arms. A boy in a plaid shirt ducks through, surrounded by smiling friends.
A group of five children walks across a wooden footbridge in a sunlit park. They appear joyful and adventurous, surrounded by tall grass and trees.
Four children happily play on a wooden jungle gym in a sunny park, surrounded by trees and mountains. They are smiling and enjoying the outdoors.
Two boys playing with an inflatable pool outdoors.
A smiling young girl seated at a classroom table with a notebook and pen in front of her.
A joyful family playing with hula hoops on a sunny lawn. A girl in a pink shirt spins, while others join in the fun. Bright, cheerful atmosphere.
Children play a joyful game outside, forming a tunnel with raised arms. A boy in a plaid shirt ducks through, surrounded by smiling friends.
A group of five children walks across a wooden footbridge in a sunlit park. They appear joyful and adventurous, surrounded by tall grass and trees.

Still Have Questions?

If you still have questions before your first visit, please call 269-556-9640 or email info@swmichigancac.org.

Contact Us
Four kids playing behind a tree in the woods