History

Genesee County recognized the need to have a Child Advocacy Center for children who were alleged victims of child abuse or neglect. In 2003, with funding from the Ruth Mott Foundation the Child Advocacy Center of Genesee County was formed.

In 2010, the Robert E. Weiss Advocacy Center for Youth and Children (commonly known as Weiss Child Advocacy Center) was born through the merger of two well-established and highly respected child welfare agencies in Genesee County: the Consortium on Child Abuse and Neglect (C/CAN), and the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). C/CAN was established in 1974 to advocate against child abuse and neglect. C/CAN has established a variety of education and prevention programs for Genesee County to help change the child welfare system and prevent abuse. This merger brought direct services and prevention for child abuse and neglect under one roof. As of 2018, Weiss Child Advocacy Center merged also with Priority Children to form Voices for Children Advocacy Center.

Voices for Children is accredited by the National Children Alliance (NCA) and is the home to the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of Genesee County program, as well as several other programs and services.

Voices for Children serves as the "hub" to the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), a skilled team of professionals comprised of members of many organizations including law enforcement, social services, prosecution, mental health, medical, and victim advocacy personnel. The MDT work together in the investigation, treatment, management, and prosecution of child abuse cases. Having a facility like Voices for Children allows the child to begin their healing immediately after the forensic interview, it allows the child to only have to recount the event once, and it allows for an effective prosecution of the offender.