New Jersey § 9:6-8

§ 9:6-8.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Child advocacy centers are child-friendly centers where a multidisciplinary team

of law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, mental health and medical

professionals, and victim witness and family advocates can provide a coordinated response

to the investigation, treatment, prosecution, and prevention of child abuse and neglect. b. Child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams are designed to ease the stress

experienced by survivors of child abuse and neglect, and their families, throughout

the investigation process and improve methods of responding to acts of child abuse

and neglect. c. Child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams reduce the trauma suffered by

children who have been abused or neglected by employing forensic interviewers specifically

trained to work with survivors of child abuse and neglect. d. The centers and teams also assist child abuse and neglect survivors and their families

in obtaining judicial, medical, therapeutic, and victim advocacy services, and enhance

the effectiveness of law enforcement, prosecutors, and child protective services professionals

when investigating child abuse and neglect. e. The number of child advocacy centers in the United States has grown dramatically

since 1986 when the first center was established. According to the National Children's Alliance, the national accrediting organization

for child advocacy centers, there are now more than 770 centers nationwide, and, as

of 2009, there were over 900 multidisciplinary teams throughout the United States. f. In order to ensure the effective, efficient, and consistent delivery of services

to the survivors of child abuse and neglect and their families, it is necessary to

establish a certification program for the State's child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary

teams. g. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to create a certification program

for the State's child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams through the adoption

and implementation of guidelines of practice consistent with the accreditation standards

developed by the National Children's Alliance, or its successor.