Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) at WIHD
The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) provides coordination for the multi-disciplinary assessment of children with suspected sexual and/or physical abuse. Our multi-disciplinary team includes the public agencies responsible for the investigation and prosecution of child abuse, the members of our Child Abuse Pediatrics program and highly respected mental health and victim’s assistance agencies. The goal of the CAC team is to provide a coordinated response in a neutral, safe and child-friendly environment. We provide state-of-the-art forensic interviews, psycho-social assessments of children and integration of the various members of the Child Abuse Pediatrics Medical Program with investigative and protective agencies. The CAC operates in an academic setting with a foundation in research, education and prevention.
PARTNERS
Westchester Community Opportunity Program Inc.
Westchester County Department of Social Services
Westchester County District Attorney’s Office
Office of the County Attorney
Local, state, and county police departments
Westchester Jewish Community Services
Child Abuse Pediatrics Program (New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center and WIHD)
The CAC at WIHD is a member of the NEW YORK STATE CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE and is accredited by the NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE
For children, adolescents or adults presenting with concerns of recent (within 96 hours) sexual abuse/assault, WIHD collaborates with Westchester Medical Center/Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital’s Forensic Acute Care Team (FACT) – please visit http://www.westchestermedicalcenter.com/wmc/forensic-acute-care-team-fact.aspx for information on how to access this service.
Meet Our Children’s Advocacy Center Team
Pavithra Mandappa, Psy.D.
Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center
Dr. Pavithra Mandappa is a NYS Licensed Psychologist, with extensive experience in providing direct clinical services to children and families, clinical supervision and administrative leadership. She has led WIHD’s Every Family Counts Aftercare program for the past five years, providing programmatic leadership and guidance in stabilizing the reunification of children and families following a discharge from Foster Care. She previously worked in NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services where she led a multidisciplinary team of professionals in providing trauma-informed preplacement services for children as they transitioned into foster care following allegations of abuse and neglect. Dr. Mandappa has worked in community, private practice and residential treatment settings for two decades, with children who have complex trauma histories and mental health issues, resulting in emotional and behavioral challenges. Dr. Mandappa is systems-focused in her approach to her work with individuals and teams, and possesses a wealth of experience in developing and implementing processes to increase and efficiency and effectiveness of programs.