To prevent child abuse, value children and strengthen families in Elkhart County.

Our first program was a crisis nursery for stressed out parents.  The nursery, established in 1981 provided a safe haven for children, and later changed its focus to treat young victims of abuse in a therapeutic day care setting.  In the early 1980's the juvenile court identified a need for trained volunteer advocates known as Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA's that could help the court determine what was best for abused and neglected children. In 1985, CAPS saw a need and started developing and offering parenting classes.  Often these classes were court ordered as part of a treatment program.  In 1989, another United Way commissioned study identified a fragmented system for interviewing physically and sexually abused children.  Thus, the Child and Family Advocacy Center (CFAC) opened in 1991 to provide a safe place to conduct forensic interviews.  Supervised Visitation was another service started in response to a need identified by welfare and court officials to provide a safe place for children to visit birth parents or the non-custodial parent.  In 1994, a unique partnership was developed with the state to develop the Healthy Families, Elkhart County program.  This program was launched to overwhelmed parents, identified at the time of their child's birth, and provides support services until the child starts school.  A recent addition to Healthy Families is our Parent-Aide Program that utilizes volunteers to work with families.

CAPS is a United Way agency, and receives approximately fifteen percent of its support from United Way.  In addition, CAPS receives about sixty percent of its support from various local and state grants.  The remainder of our funding comes from fund raising events including the Lifesaver Campaign, Celebrity Server luncheon at Texas Roadhouse, and the Roof Sit Against Child Abuse.  We also receive support from many individuals, corporations, foundations, service clubs, churches and other organizations.  CAPS relies heavily on the generous support of the Elkhart County community for its operating budget.  In 1998, CAPS set up its own Endowment Fund.  CAPS has also established an endowment fund with the Elkhart County Community Foundation.  The purpose of both funds is to provide resources for continuing prevention programs.

CAPS has 60+ full and part time employees.  We have a diverse staff including social workers, teachers, development and administrative personnel.  In addition, we have over sixty volunteers, the largest number of volunteers in our CASA program.  We also have a number of high school volunteers from area schools.  We utilize an extensive number of interns from Goshen College, IUSB, Bethel College, Western Michigan, Notre Dame and other schools.

Since 1995 CAPS has been housed in the former Horizon Learning Center, now known as the Joy Rose Center at 1000 W. Hively Ave., Elkhart.  The building has approximately 20,000 square feet, and sits on 7.6 acres of land.  CAPS owns the building debt free.