The Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk County upholds the following values in every interaction with partners, supporters, community members, families, and the children and youth we serve.

Children & Family Centered

  • We elevate and amplify the voices of the children and youth that we serve.
  • We work to understand, honor, and advocate for the individual needs of each child and youth that we serve.
  • We recognize and affirm that all children are deserving of safety, protection, care and compassion.
  • We honor each child’s and family’s path to healing.

Collaborative Relationships

  • We prioritize building strong and trusting relationships with families, partners, and community members.
  • We respectfully and clearly communicate the needs of the children, youth, families, and communities we serve to raise awareness, foster prevention, and help children heal.
  • We exemplify kindness, respect, humility, and sensitivity in all of our collaborations, with the goal of lifting the voices of those we serve.

Courageous

  • We do not settle for the status quo; we take active steps to improve systems through policy work, effective communication, and collaboration.
  • We proactively take steps to overcome individual and collective barriers that prevent us from achieving our mission, even when doing so is challenging.
  • We strive to rethink how systems and services work.
  • We hold ourselves to the highest standard of care and collaboration, and advocate for our partners to do the same.

Equity & Inclusion

  • We embrace and honor the diversity and cultural identities of our team, families, and community while acknowledging the presence of privileges and biases.
  • We actively work to unlearn our biases, practice cultural humility, and hold each other and systems accountable.
  • We strive to make our center and services accessible and welcoming to all regardless of their race, culture, gender, sexuality, age, ability, citizenship, language, nationality, religion, socio-economic status, or any other characteristics or identities.
  • We are committed to dismantling systems of oppression and centering the voices of those most impacted by those systems in our discussions and decisions.

Leadership

  • We uphold and implement trauma-informed practices, promote transparency, and advocate for systemic changes that enhance the overall safety and wellbeing of children and youth.
  • We are strategic, proactive, and consistent in meeting the needs of the children and families of Suffolk County, ensuring that their voices are heard.
  • We keep ourselves and our community current with evolving issues and best practices in our field by prioritizing continuous education and training.