The Children's Advocacy Council

Keeping Children and Families Safe

Our advocates work tirelessly on behalf of Maine's children and families, leading efforts to facilitate changes within social systems on behalf of children and families.

The Children’s Advocacy Council, which promotes the well-being of children and families, leads the community in preventing and addressing child abuse and neglect, and advocates for child-friendly, family-focused policies at the local and state levels. Recently, the Council took the lead on Community Partnerships for Protecting Children, an innovative approach to child protection that involves building shared community ownership for keeping children safe. The approach is being piloted in Portland’s Bayside and Parkside neighborhoods.

Strengthening Families and Preventing Abuse

The Children's Advocacy Council of Cumberland County (the Council) promotes the well-being of children and families, leads the community in preventing and addressing child abuse and neglect, and advocates for child-friendly, family-focused policies at the local and state levels. Council members come from such diverse fields as child abuse and neglect, law enforcement, domestic violence, sexual assualt, family services, family planning and substance abuse.

At the Council, we believe that all parents want to raise happy, healthy children. And that all parents, regardless of their circumstances, can use some support. To promote healthy and nurturing family relationships, we host events and groups that encourage parents to meet other parents and form support networks in their communities. We also sponsor programs and workshops designed to provide the expert information, tips and support parents crave. 

What We Do in Our Communities

Keeping Maine’s children safe is no single agency’s responsibility. In our role as a catalyst for changing the way services for children and families are conceived, organized and delivered, the Council assesses community needs and initiates collaborations to improve services; encourages greater community involvement in the form of partnerships between service providers and local communities; and provides training for mandated reporters on the signs of child abuse and reporting procedures. In addition, the Council engages professionals, family members and community stakeholders as active partners in planning, implementing and evaluating services and outcomes.

What We Do on the Advocacy Front

Council members champion the rights of Maine’s children and families by advocating for effective public policies and system changes. By bringing together community members to address service gaps as well as other issues facing children and families, Council members work to create systemic improvements for children at both the local and state levels. The Council works to effect change in policy and practice by working together with public systems and through legislative action when necessary.