The National Children’s Advocacy Center celebrates 40 years of championing and strengthening the global response to child abuse! Since 1985, we have led the fight to protect children, support families, and train professionals worldwide. Join us as we honor four decades of impact and advocacy!
Our Journey
A Local Conversation Leads to National Dialogue
Former Congressman Bud Cramer, a young and aggressive newly elected District Attorney, vowed to fight for victims of child sexual abuse. However, two cases early on spotlighted a broken system – one that caused more harm than good.
Cramer brought together a group including law enforcement, social workers, medical professionals, and parents to find a better way. These conversations prompted the inaugural Southeast Symposium on Child Abuse (now the International Symposium on Child Abuse). This conference laid the foundation for one of the world’s premier training conferences on child maltreatment.
The Beginning
The initial discussions by Cramer’s committee led to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model. This model allows a child to tell their story in a child-friendly, non-threatening environment.
The first CAC, the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC), opened its doors in a little house on Lincoln Street in downtown Huntsville. For the first time, law enforcement, child protective services, medical professionals, mental health providers, and prosecutors work together under one roof to respond to child abuse.
As word of the CAC model spread, the NCAC began sharing knowledge with other advocates across the county, building a network throughout America.
A Federal Commitment
Congress passes the Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA), providing crucial federal support to expand and strengthen CACs across the country, and setting the stage for regional training and
The Founder Goes to Congress
In 1991, voters in Alabama elected Cramer to Congress, giving the CAC movement a voice and advocate on a federal level. Cramer worked to broaden the impact of the VOCAA act. After his appointment to the House Appropriations Committee, Cramer worked to increase funding to all CACs and helped secure the NCAC’s training and technical assistance grant.
Expanding Support and Services Congress
NCAC receives its first VOCAA funding to create the Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (SRCAC) — offering training and assistance to developing CACs across the Southeastern United States.
At the same time, the NCAC assumed leadership of the SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) program from the Junior League of Huntsville. SCAN is a school-based initiative that teaches children vital lessons about abuse prevention and personal safety. The addition of SCAN marked the beginning of the NCAC’s dedicated prevention department, which has since expanded to include several other impactful programs.
Support for New Parents
The NCAC brings the Healthy Families Program to Madison County. This initiative connects expectant and new parents with a dedicated family support specialist, offering guidance and encouragement starting in the final trimester of pregnancy and continuing through the child’s entry into kindergarten. Support includes in-home meetings, child development information, and transportation assistance.
A Community Builds Hope
Fueled by extraordinary community support, NCAC begins building a permanent home in 2001. By 2003, the doors officially open to the new campus — a safe, welcoming space where children and families can heal, and where professionals can learn the model that started it all.
Research at Your Fingertips
NCAC launches the Child Abuse Library Online (CALiO™) — one of the largest professional research libraries dedicated to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child maltreatment.
Support for Parents
Following the successful launch of Healthy Families North Alabama, the NCAC expanded its services to support parents at every stage of their journey. One key offering is a seven-week Parenting Class that empowers caregivers with practical tools for nurturing parenting, managing stress, and responding to anger in healthy, constructive ways.
Global Reach
By this time, NCAC’s influence has extended far beyond U.S. borders, with professionals in more than 35 countries learning best practices from the NCAC. The CAC model becomes a global standard for responding to child abuse.
A Trauma Informed Community
The NCAC brought the Handle with Care Program to Alabama to create a more trauma-informed community. This program allows emergency responders to alert school-based mental health professionals if a child experiences a potentially traumatic event.
A Safe Place For All
While the NCAC has never condoned violence, the organization became the first No Hit Zone in Alabama. In this role, all staff members are trained to intervene and educate if they witness or are made aware of any instances of spanking or physical discipline at the campus or during campus events.
40 Years Strong
Now 40 years in, the NCAC continues to serve children impacted by abuse and violence in Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County – working to form a trauma informed community.
The NCAC remains at the heart of a movement that includes more than 1,000 CACs across the United States and countless more globally. From a groundbreaking idea in one Alabama community to a worldwide model of hope and healing, the NCAC continues to lead with innovation, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to children.
Your monthly gift in honor of our 40th anniversary, creates a sustainable future of expert care for children who have been abused in Huntsville, Madison and Madison County. Children receive direct services at no cost to them or their family, thanks to your generous support.
Events
September Celebration: 40th Birthday Gala
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the beautiful Huntsville Botanical Garden celebrating our past, building the future. Enjoy a night of fine dining, live entertainment, and special moments in honor of the children and families of our community. Elegant dress (black-tie optional).
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM Location: Huntsville Botanical Garden 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW Huntsville, AL 35805
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