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Program Membership

The members of the New Jersey Children’s Alliance are the state’s 21 Child Advocacy Centers. CACs become accredited members of the National Children’s Alliance by meeting current best practice standards

The following program components are necessary for accredited membership in National Children’s Alliance

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

A multidisciplinary team for response to child abuse allegations includes representation from the following:

  • Law Enforcement
  • Child Protective Services
  • Prosecution
  • Mental Health
  • Medical
  • Victim Advocacy
  • Children’s Advocacy Center


All members of the MDT—including appropriate CAC staff, as defined by the needs of the case—are routinely involved in investigations and/or MDT interventions.

CAC/MDT members participate in effective information sharing that is consistent with legal, ethical and professional standards of practice and ensures the timely exchange of case information within the MDT.

The CAC/MDT annually provides or facilitates relevant training or other educational opportunities focused on issues relevant to investigation, prosecution, and service provision for children and their non-offending caregivers. The CAC demonstrates documented MDT member participation in annual professional development.

Forensic Interviews

Forensic interviews are conducted in a manner which is of a neutral, fact finding nature, and coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing.

Forensic interviews are provided by CAC/MDT staff members with specialized training in conducting forensic interviews.

MDT members with investigative responsibilities on a case must observe the forensic interview(s) to ensure necessary preparation, information sharing, and MDT/interviewer coordination throughout the interview and post-interview process.

Individuals who conduct forensic interviews at the CAC must participate in a structured peer review process for forensic interviewers a minimum of 2 times per year, as a matter of quality assurance.

Victim Support/Advocacy

Victim support and advocacy are to be made available as part of the team response, either at the CAC or through coordination with other providers, throughout the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.

Comprehensive, coordinated victim support and advocacy services are provided by
designated individual(s) who have specialized training in victim advocacy. The CAC must demonstrate that all Victim Advocates who provide services to CAC clients have successfully completed a minimum of 24 hours of instruction including, but not limited to:

1. Dynamics of abuse
2. Trauma-informed services
3. Crisis assessment and intervention
4. Risk assessment and safety planning
5. Professional ethics and boundaries
6. Understanding the coordinated multidisciplinary response
7. Assistance in accessing/obtaining victims’ rights as outlined by law
8. Court education, support and accompaniment
9. Assistance with access to treatment and other services, including protective orders, housing, public assistance, domestic violence intervention, transportation, financial assistance, interpreters, among others as determined for individual clients.

Active outreach and follow-up support services for caregivers are consistently available.

Medical Evaluation

Specialized medical evaluation and treatment are to be made available to CAC clients as part of the team response, either at the CAC or through coordination and referral with other specialized medical providers.

Medical evaluations are conducted by health care providers with specific training in child sexual abuse that meets at least ONE of the following training standards:

Specialized medical evaluations for the child client are available on-site or with other
appropriate agencies or providers through written linkage agreement.

Specialized medical evaluations are available and accessible to all CAC clients regardless of ability to pay.

Mental Health

Evidence-based, trauma-focused mental health services, designed to meet the unique needs of the children and caregivers, are consistently available as part of the Multidisciplinary Team response.

Mental health services are provided by professionals with training in, and who deliver, trauma-focused, evidence-supported, mental health treatment. All mental health providers for CAC clients, whether providing services on-site or by referral and linkage agreement with outside individuals and agencies, must meet specified training requirements.

Mental health services are available and accessible to all CAC child clients regardless of ability to pay.

Case Review

A formal process in which multidisciplinary discussion and information sharing regarding the investigation, case status, and services needed by the child and family must occur on a routine basis.

A forum for the purpose of reviewing cases is conducted at least once a month.

MDT partner agency representatives actively participating in case review must include, at a minimum:
1. Law enforcement
2. Child protective services
3. Prosecution
4. Medical
5. Mental health
6. Victim advocacy
7. Children’s Advocacy Center.

Case Tracking

Children’s Advocacy Centers must develop and implement a system for monitoring case progress and tracking case outcomes for all Multidisciplinary Team components.

The CAC tracks and is able to retrieve NCA Statistical Information.

NCA statistical information minimally includes the following data:
1. Demographic information about the child and family
2. Demographic information about the alleged offender
3. Type(s) of abuse
4. Relationship of alleged offender to child
5. MDT involvement and outcomes
6. Charges filed and case disposition in criminal court
7. Child protection outcomes
8. Status/follow-through of medical and mental health referrals.

CAC has a mechanism for collecting client feedback so as to inform client service delivery. Client feedback may include client satisfaction surveys and/or outcome data. Care should be taken that survey instruments are valid and reliable. CACs may use a variety of valid instruments and assessment tools to meet this requirement. However, CACs that actively participate in NCA’s Outcome Measurement System  (OMS) may be assured that they meet and exceed this requirement.

Organizational Capacity

A designated legal entity responsible for program and fiscal operations has been established and implements basic sound administrative practices.

The CAC is an incorporated, private nonprofit organization or government-based agency or is a component of such entities.

The CAC has, and demonstrates compliance with, written screening policies for staff and volunteers that include criminal background, sex offender registration, and child abuse registry checks and provides training and supervision to staff and volunteers.

The CAC promotes employee well-being by providing training and information regarding the effects of vicarious trauma, providing techniques for building resiliency, and maintaining organizational and supervisory strategies to address vicarious trauma and its impact on staff.

The CAC has addressed its sustainability through the implementation of a current strategic plan approved by the governing entity of the CAC.

The CAC promotes MDT well-being by providing access to training and information on vicarious trauma and building resiliency to MDT members.

The child-focused setting is comfortable, private, and both physically and psychologically safe for diverse populations of children and their family members.

Child-Appropriate/Child-Friendly Facility

A Children’s Advocacy Center provides a comfortable, private, child-friendly setting that is both physically and psychologically safe for clients.

1. The CAC is maintained in a manner that is physically and psychologically safe for children and families
2. The CAC provides observation or supervision of clients within sight or hearing distance by CAC staff, MDT members or volunteers at all times
3. The CAC is convenient and accessible to clients and MDT members
4. Areas where children may be present as well as toys and other resources are “childproofed,” cleaned, and sanitized to be as safe as possible.

Download a copy of the National Children’s Alliance policy brief brochure.
Download NCA Policy Brief Brochure
Valeria Vila, Ph.D.

PSB Program Data Specialist

Valeria is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and communicating about data related to the PSB program.
A trained social scientist, Valeria received her PhD in Social Psychology from Rutgers University, and she is passionate about using data to drive positive change. During her free time, Valeria likes to watch sports, read, cuddle with her dogs, and spend time with her partner and family.

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Jack’s Story

Jack was eight years old when he was sexually abused by his aunt for a year. His mother reached out to Ginnie’s House, the Sussex County Child Advocacy Center, in search of support for Jack, and it was found that the family as a whole needed services all around as each member was individually impacted by the sexual abuse and disclosure.

Ginnie’s House was not only able to provide Jack with therapeutic services, but Jack’s sister was able to process her feelings with a therapist as well. Jack’s parents received family advocacy services, where they were educated on the impact of trauma and how they can best continue to support Jack during this time. With a lot of strength and resilience, Jack completed TF-CBT (trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy) with his clinician and confidently read his trauma narrative, thus taking ownership over his own story.  

As services were ending Jack’s mother asked how he felt and he told her, “I’m really ok now! I know what happened was her mistake, and that it wasn’t my fault.” Jack’s parents have learned how to remain patient and work with Jack throughout his therapeutic treatment and they “graduated” services being able to support Jack’s healing now and in the future.

Rhea’s Story

“At first I was extremely terrified because I was in the car with my abuser when he had found out that we were being summoned to Union County CAC. But at that point, unbeknownst to me, I was ready to share something because I was tired of the façade. Sofia, the detective in my case, felt like an auntie I had not met yet and I was able to speak to her about something that I hadn’t said aloud ever.

It was a long time between when I disclosed the abuse and when my abuser was convicted in a trial and sentenced. The team members checked in with me and when I was fully ready to speak, they were able to help me find my voice in the sea of cacophony that surrounded my trial process.           

After the conviction, I was going through a rollercoaster of feelings: for the first time, I was going to free of something that had become a part of my identity for so long. I don’t remember much of what I said on the witness stand but I know that I spoke from the depths of my heart without reason and rationale, just strict emotions. I remember telling my mom that I was raped for five years, proved it for four years, and I wanted to live and, in all honesty, that is what I wanted most. I wanted to be a teenager. I wanted to understand life and not feel my life in relation to pain and sorrow. I was and still am committing to becoming my best self despite what I have gone through. That trial was my rebirth and my catalyst for change.

I want to tell my multidisciplinary team ‘Thank you!’ I don’t know where I would be if you all weren’t in my life. I remember taking that leap of faith that I would write my story in my classroom journal and in my mind, that was my release—nothing more, nothing less. You all showed me the true power in words and actions; I became an educator because of what you guys showed me through the four years. I am committed to changing lives from what you all did for me!”

Brenda’s Story

“I remember walking to Deirdre’s House, the Child Advocacy Center, and it was what I imagine is like what your grandma’s house feels like. There’s books, and it’s cozy, and it’s comfortable, and for sure safe.”

In the moment I disclosed my abuse, I felt like I had a rope to climb out of the deep well of water. Once I started sharing my story, I realized it was very empowering to take control – knowing that the story is mine to tell. It’s my warrior story.

Having my family far away most of the time, and not really telling the specifics of my story to them because I didn’t grow up being close to them, led me to lean on the prosecutor team and investigators for support. I see them now maybe once every couple of years, but they are near and dear to me and I feel like they are my family, and they made me feel like I was their family. Usually I would drive from Delaware to NJ for the proceedings and my family couldn’t be there, but the team was there for me. The investigator and one of the interns was there for me during the verdict, holding my hand. They helped me keep my head up; they were my grounding force. Every time I came in, it was like reuniting with friends. They asked me how I was, how school was, how my daughter was. They treated me like a friend – person-to-person – there was no elephant in the room. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a professional in the field, the best thing they can do for a survivor is help them feel like a person again. I didn’t need the hugs or the sympathy, I just needed a reason to smile, and they did that for me.

Everybody tells you it’s not your fault, and of course that’s true, but beyond that, it’s not even personal. There are sick and evil people out there, and they don’t do things to you because you’re you, they do things because they’re them. Even though I learned that people can do extreme harm, I came across this family of truly beautiful people who go out of their way to protect those like me.”

Sara Miao, M.B.A.
Program Coordinator, Finding Words/Child First
Sara has been coordinating the logistics of the Finding Words/Child First forensic interviewing protocol training program in NJ since 2022. Prior to joining NJCA, Sara worked for over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Claire Henderson

Director of Finance & Operations

Claire graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University. Prior to joining NJCA, she worked as an AVP in the Equity Prop Trading department at Deustche Bank. During the 13 years she was away from the working world to raise her three children, she has volunteered at numerous charity organizations. During her free time she likes to travel, read, and spend many days at her kids’ sporting and theatre events.
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Victoria Rutigliano

Finance and Operations Associate

Victoria assists in tracking and documenting NJCA’s grants and other financial operations. She holds a B.S.W. from Monmouth University, and has previously worked in the child welfare field in Denver, CO, as well as served in the role of Training and Outreach Coordinator with NJCA. 
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Maria Isabella Pontoriero (MIP), M.S.W, L.S.W.

PSB Program Manager

Maria Isabella Pontoriero (“MIP”) is a licensed social worker and forensic interviewer. MIP is Founder and Consultant for Enhanced Choice Training & Consulting LLC, which provides specialized training and case consultation to individuals and agencies who serve victims of crime and exploitation. She also provides training and peer review feedback as a contract Consultant for Modell Consulting Group LLC and faculty member for RADAR Child Forensic Interview Models. MIP previously served as Lead Social Worker for the New Orleans Children’s Advocacy Center & Audrey Hepburn CARE Center at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. There, she supervised the forensic interviewing staff and led a child trafficking survivor services and proactive recovery planning team called BRAVE (Building Resilience for All Victims of Exploitation). In addition, MIP develops and delivers in-service and New Recruits child abuse curricula for the New Orleans Police Department Training Academy. In her spare time, MIP loves to bake, read, and celebrate Mardi Gras!
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Joanna (Joey) Lucas

Communications & Outreach Manager

Joey graduated from Rider University in 2018 with a degree in Elementary Education & Psychology. Joey spent over five years developing and implementing special education curriculums in K-12 public schools before deciding to pursue her passion for community outreach and development outside of the classroom. She has always enjoyed volunteering and working with nonprofit organizations to support children and families in need, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to do so in her role at NJCA! In her free time, Joey enjoys reading, travelling, and hosting dinner parties for her friends and family.

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Olga Aramini, M.S.W., M.B.A., L.S.W.
Director of Communications and Outreach
Olga joined NJCA in 2018, and currently serves as Director of Communications, focusing on raising awareness and support for Child Advocacy Centers and NJCA, as well as educating communities about child abuse prevention, recognition and reporting. She holds an MSW from Rutgers University along with a Certificate in Interpersonal Violence and Trauma, as well as an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Development from George Washington University. She is also a mental health clinician, providing treatment to children and families through the Children’s System of Care. Outside of work, Olga enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons and floppy-eared hound dog, as well as art, photography, travel, and audiobooks.
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