Forty years of healing: Collier Children’s Advocacy Center commemorates milestone anniversary
Collier Children’s Advocacy Center (Collier CAC) marks its 40th anniversary of serving the county’s most vulnerable children. Founded in 1986, the independent nonprofit organization provides critical trauma-informed care and investigative advocacy to thousands of local children and their families healing from abuse, neglect and violence.
“Collier Children’s Advocacy Center exists to improve the lives of children who have experienced abuse by providing the care and the compassion they need for recovery,” said Jackie Stephens, CEO of Collier CAC. “Healing begins the moment a family steps through our door. For four decades, we have ensured that every child has a safe harbor, a hand to hold along the way and the opportunity to reclaim their future.”
Collier CAC’s milestone anniversary represents 40 years of steady growth, expanded services, and an unwavering commitment to Collier County’s children. The organization has grown to serve more than 1,357 children and families each year, providing forensic interviews and specialized medical evaluations, trauma-informed therapy, court and family advocacy and parent education programs. By offering comprehensive services through one organization, Collier CAC reduces what could be up to six separate agency visits to a single coordinated response.
“When a child experiences abuse, healing must begin immediately,” said Stephens. “Our mission is to eliminate the trauma of reliving that pain through repeated interviews with multiple professionals. We offer a safe, child-focused space where children can tell their story once and receive care through a transformative team approach.”
Collier CAC began as a child protection team, serving 167 children and non-offending caregivers during its inaugural year in 1986. Its purpose was simple: protecting children from abuse requires everyone working together. When Stephens joined the organization six years after its founding, it had four employees, an operating budget under $300,000 and 465 clients.
By 2000, the center had expanded to include youth advocacy and onsite therapy. It also relocated from a 2,000-square-foot building to a 6,000-square-foot space.
Through grant writing, community philanthropy and strategic leadership, Stephens helped guide Collier CAC’s evolution from an investigative team into a comprehensive children’s advocacy center. As Collier County’s population grew, the organization expanded its programs and services to respond to increasing reports of abuse and neglect.
While the organization partners closely with the Department of Children and Families, law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office and Collier County Public Schools, it is not a government agency. It relies on community support to sustain and expand its work. The agency currently has 19 employees and a $2.5 million budget.
Today, Collier CAC coordinates the investigation, prosecution and healing process for the most serious cases of child abuse in the community. Its four core programs not only support the coordinated investigation and prosecution of child abusers but also reduce the lasting emotional toll of trauma through direct services.
Collier CAC is the only organization in Collier County legally authorized to perform forensic medical exams for children under 12 and to deliver medical, court advocacy and therapeutic services under one roof. Its therapy team provides specialized evidence-based treatment tailored to children and their caregivers, including individual sessions, group therapy and family programs. Collier CAC provided over 2,000 hours of therapy in 2025.
“As we look to the next 40 years, we remain guided by the same promise that shaped Collier CAC from the beginning,” said Stephens. “Protecting children from abuse and guiding them toward recovery requires our entire community working together. Every donation strengthens the safety net for the most vulnerable children.”
For more information about Collier CAC’s commitment to he