Ways to give
Your gift creates a healing path to justice for kids and prevents child abuse throughout the Texas Panhandle.
Education
Child abuse prevention education offered free of charge for students.
Training Schedule
Recognize, Respond and Report Training for professionals offered free of charge
About Child Abuse
The more you know, the better protected our children will be. Learn about the different types of child abuse.
What to expect at the Bridge
The Bridge is not a Law Enforcement or Child Protective Service agency. We are a nonprofit that works alongside law enforcement and CPS to provide a neutral, child friendly environment. The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center staff are specially trained professionals who care deeply about every child who comes to the center. While you and your child are at The Bridge you will receive support and services that include:
- Your child will be asked questions by a highly-trained forensic interviewer who specializes in asking neutral, non-leading questions. This interview, which will be recorded, reduces the negative impact of your child having to share his/her story multiple times.
- If requested by investigators, specially trained nurses will complete a physical exam in a safe, child-friendly exam room.
- Compassionate family advocates will help your family by providing information and referrals to community resources. Bridge family advocates will also assist with Crime Victims Compensation applications during your visit.
- Every family who comes to The Bridge is offered referrals for specialized counselors for both your child and non-offending family members.
Have a heart
Ways that donors helped Panhandle children and families in 2023-2024
2,857
Adults received child abuse awareness and prevention education.
1,829
Family Members received referrals and advocacy services.
6,082
Children received child abuse awareness and prevention education.
965
Forensic Interviews were conducted by The Bridge.
255
Forensic Medical Exams were conducted by The Bridge.
The Bridge
Children’s Advocacy Center
The Bridge is a founding member of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, a membership organization of over 70 Texas child advocacy centers, and a fully accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance, a membership association of over 300 children’s advocacy centers.
The Bridge connects children to resources when they experience trauma or abuse. The Bridge works in the community to make it okay to talk about abuse, and to work against pretending it happens anywhere but The Panhandle. The Bridge works so that abusers will have no place to hide. The Bridge guides children to speak out, recover from abuse, and not be defined by it. The Bridge helps a child tell their story only one time, so they aren’t traumatized again, even by the very system that is helping them. By bringing multiple agencies together under one roof, the Bridge provides healing, resilience, and power for the children in the Panhandle… because every child deserves love, hope, and innocence.
What is CAC?
CAC’s are dedicated to ensuring that child victims and their families receive vital services at no cost. Because CAC’s in Texas are required to be governed by a local, community-based 501(c)(3) organization, they rely heavily on private dollars raised through foundation grants, individual and corporate gifts, civic and community support organizations, and special event fundraising.
The CAC Model
Children’s advocacy centers (CACs) provide a safe, child-friendly environment where law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, medical and mental health professionals may share information and develop effective, coordinated strategies sensitive to the needs of each unique case and child.
