The Heart City Child Advocacy Center (HCCAC) is the product of extensive collaboration between the Cherry County Attorney, State of Nebraska Child Protection Service, Nebraska Network of Child Advocacy Centers, the Minnechaduza Foundation, and the North Central Nebraska Child Abuse Prevention Project (NCNCAPP).  This team, comprised of local citizens, State advocates, and National experts was motivated to press for the development of the HCCAC, at Valentine because: Child sexual and physical abuse are prevalent in North-central Nebraska; children are being exposed to drug-laden environments in North-central Nebraska;  the nearest facility offering forensic interview and medical examination aligned with national standards is 200 miles from Valentine; and, re-victimization of the child and family is minimized when services are provided close to the child’s home, in a culturally and developmentally sensitive environment.  The HCCAC opened on January 15, 2006 and provides nationally standardized forensic interview and medical examination of child victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and drug exposure in this highly rural part of North Central Nebraska.  In addition, planning is underway to serve adult victim of sexual assault, and victims of elder abuse.  Thanks to financial assistance from the City of Valentine, Cherry County, and private donors, state-of-the-art audio-video equipment has been obtained and installed in examination rooms provided by the Cherry County hospital in Valentine..  This equipment is used to make a video record of the interview and to acquire image-based evidence during medical examinations.  Policies and Procedures have been developed that address referral methods in the community and operating procedures for the center.  The Minnechaduza Foundation is functioning as an umbrella organization to manage all aspects of the HCCAC including: daily operations, financial management, and fund raising from public, corporate, and private sources, the prospects of which appear very good.  Our funding raising efforts are being conducted in 2 phases: 

Phase I: Acquire annual operating funding.  Our annual operating budget is $125,000.  In support of this goal, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $25,000 in transferable Nebraska tax credits, which are awarded at a rate of $4 tax credit for each $10 donated.  In addition, the Heart City CAC has received a non-member grant from the National Children’s Alliance

Phase II: Endowment: Development a $4 million endowment fund to permit the perpetual operation of this center for generations to come.

Please contact us if you’d like to be a founding donor in this program.  WE NEED YOU!

Heart City Child Advocacy Center (HCCAC)

Nebraska Tax Credits are available for donations to this project.  The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $25,000 in Nebraska tax credits, which the Foundation can award to donors at a rate of $4 tax credit for every $10 donated.

What it is:  This center treats child-victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and drug exposure.