The Metropolitan Children’s Advocacy Center (Met CAC), formerly known as the Assessment & Resource Center (ARC), is the nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center of Richland County, serving the Midlands of South Carolina. At the request of law enforcement, Department of Social Services and others, we assist in the evaluation of children and adolescents suspected of being abused, neglected or exploited.
Accredited through the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), the Met CAC meets the national standards for integrated multidisciplinary care. Our services include child forensic interviews, forensic medical examinations, short-term interventions, referral services, victim advocacy, case coordination and court testimony.
The Met CAC’s history dates back to 1990, when the Richland Memorial Children’s Hospital created a response team comprising a pediatrician, social worker, child life Specialist and nurse. The program rapidly expanded to include mental health services provided by the state’s William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute. In 1993, the ARC was relocated to the Bull Street campus of the SC Department of Mental Health. In 1999, the ARC became a Full Member Children’s Advocacy Center, one of only four in the state at that time.
The CAC movement has continued to grow in South Carolina and nationwide. In April of 2017, our program changed its name to the Metropolitan Children’s Advocacy Center, reflecting the recognition of this model nationwide.
The Met CAC represents a collaborative effort of the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, Columbia Area Mental Health Center, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, and Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. In addition to our evaluation services, we provide training to a range of students, medical residents and professionals.
Updated 5/18/17