How many children does the BRACAC provide services to every year? It is estimated that there are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in America today.  In Kentucky, 3,382 children were reported for concerns of sexual abuse to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in 08 (CHFS TWIST Report 08).   234 of those children live in the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) region. However, these numbers only reflect those reports investigated by the CHFS and do not reflect the reports received or investigated by law enforcement agents of all local, state, and federal jurisdictions.  Child sexual abuse cases are by far one of the most challenging crimes to investigate - and one of the most under reported.  Cases involving a juvenile offender are typically also not included in this report. 

The Center works closely with the Multidisciplinary Team professionals to coordinate and provide services to 400-500 children and their non-offending parents and/or caregivers every year.  While the majority of the children are entering the "system” for the first time, roughly 20% of the Center's caseload will at any time consist of cases involving children who are waiting for their case to go to trial or have pending court action of some kind.  The Center follows each child's case through that process through regular attendance at each country's Multidisciplinary Team meetings.

Is the BRACAC a non-profit organization?  Yes.  The BRACAC is a private, non-profit 501c(3) agency incorporated in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  While BRACAC works very closely with city, county and state professionals and receives limited state funding, it is not a state agency;

How is the BRACAC governed? The BRACAC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that meets a minimum of eight times a year.  The Board actively seeks and recruits active members from each of its ten service counties to help maintain its regional focus.

How is the BRACAC funded? The BRACAC receives a variety of funding including but not limited to (FY10):

Individual and Community contributions (cash and in-kind) (Community Support & Contributions);

Annual Fundraising & Public Awareness Events (News & Events);

VOCA (Victims Of Crime Act) grant through the Kentucky Justice Cabinet;

Cabinet For Health & Family Services (Commonwealth of Kentucky);

Warren County Fiscal Court;

Edmonson County Fiscal Court;

Logan County Fiscal Court;

Metcalfe County Fiscal Court;

Butler County Fiscal Court;

Child Victim’s Trust Fund (medical services) (I Care About Kids” license plate information);

 Medicaid, Private Health Insurance Carriers and the Crime Victim Compensation Board (medical services);

What is the BRACAC’s operating budget? The BRACAC’s projected annual budget for FY10 is $474,000.00.  However, this amount is heavily dependent on the Center’s ability to successfully raise funds to support all its needed programs and projects – both cash and in-kind - and on the Center’s ability to successfully receive payment for medical services provided during the year.  While the Center provides specialized comprehensive child sexual abuse medical examinations to victims of child sexual abuse at no expense to the child’s family, it does attempt to bill Medicaid and private health insurance carriers whenever possible to help support the mission and provision of medical services provided at the Center.    Non-offending parents and/or caregivers are never charged or “billed” for services provided by the Center.  Limited state and federal funding sources do not cover expenses related to the ongoing training of the multidisciplinary team professionals, Board of Directors and its staff and many other important needs such as the purchase and general maintenance of office equipment, facility improvements and other unexpected needs. The Center must depend on the generous funding and in-kind contributions of local businesses, civic organizations and individuals to sponsor these events throughout the year or donate through one of the Center’s annual fundraising events (News & Events)

What should I do if I have concerns a child is being abused or neglected in any way? The law requires every citizen to report his or her concerns of abuse or neglect to a child so that a professional can investigate if a child is being abused or is in danger.  Remember! The law does not require a concerned individual to have “proof” – just concerns. 

To report concerns of abuse or neglect:

Dial 911 if you believe a child is in immediate danger and needs help “right now.”

Contact your local law enforcement, the Kentucky State Police and/or your local Department for Community Based Services (Community Partners information); or

Call the Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 752-6200.  Responding staff will ensure the report reaches local investigative authorities.

Please do not wait to report your concerns.

February 2010