Our Center

The mission of our center is to provide a coordinated, evidence-based response to child abuse that reduces trauma and provides treatment for the children and families in our community in a safe child-focused environment. Our vision for DCAC is to create communities in which children and families live free from abuse and are free to reach their full potential.

Who is Dorchester Children’s Advocacy Center?

DCAC is a 501c(3) nonprofit agency located at 303 East Richardson Ave in Summerville, South Carolina. DCAC is a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center. DCAC has served children and their families since 2003.

What does Dorchester Children’s Advocacy Center do?

DCAC provides a coordinated response to children and their families when they have experienced a traumatic event. DCAC offers a wide variety of evidence-based therapies to child abuse victims and their families. All clinicians at DCAC are master-level therapists and receive extensive training in order to provide forensic interviews that are legally sound and of a neutral, fact finding nature, as well as, to provide evidence-based, trauma-focused mental health services. Additionally, DCAC offers multiple child abuse prevention and education programs for the community. All DCAC services are offered year round and are free of charge.

What population is served by Dorchester Children’s Advocacy Center?

DCAC serves children ages 0-17 when there are concerns for abuse or the child has experienced a traumatic life event. DCAC serves families living in Dorchester and Berkeley County. We may also accommodate families outside of these areas based request. The caregivers of these children are provided with a variety of resources or treatment services when needed.

DCAC serves over 1,600 clients each year. DCAC serves clients of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and socio-economic statuses.

What is the average cost to serve one child?

Any services directly provided by DCAC are at no cost to the family. This is possible due to grant funding, donations, and fundraising efforts by DCAC. DCAC believes that a family’s ability to pay should never prevent a child from receiving quality, evidence-based services. The average cost to DCAC for providing services to one client is approximately $1,200.