This brief presents an interview with Deanna Chancellor, of the Child Advocacy Resource Center, with discussion of the development of Child Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams in a Tribal community context, as well as insights into the National Child Advocacy Accreditation Standards.
In this document, Jennifer Calder and Deanna Chancellor discuss Chancellor’s background and experience, and her support of the Tribal capacity to develop Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) and Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs), as well as important first steps for the development of those CACs and MDTs that will meet the needs of Native children and Tribal communities. The National Child Advocacy (NCA) Accreditation Standards addressed in the document are: MDTs; diversity, equity, and access; forensic interview; victim support and advocacy; and mental health. The two discuss the importance of mentors or community champions, and their role in Chancellor’s life. Chancellor also shares recommendations for Tribes that are moving toward NCA Accreditation.