Mission Statement

To enhance the quality of life for survivors of child abuse and sexual violence in our community by providing evidence-based, trauma-specific, specialized treatment.

The Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center’s Trauma Therapy Treatment Teams provides specialized, empirically supported, evidence-based therapy to survivors of child abuse and sexual violence and their non-offending family members.

Services Provided

Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, Support Groups, Case Management, Advocacy, and Community Outreach and Education.

What is trauma?

Trauma is a normal reaction to an abnormally difficult circumstance. The brain has an adaptive method of dealing with traumatic instances in the moment, which can have a negative impact on a person once the traumatic instance is no longer present.


Child services are available for children who have experienced the following traumas :

    • Child Sexual Abuse
    • Child Physical Abuse
    • Child Witness to Domestic
    • Violence
    • Child Witness to Homicide
    • Severe Neglect of Child


Adult services are available for adults who have experienced the following traumas:

    • Child Sexual Abuse
    • Sexual Assault


Child survivors in need of services require documentation verifying the abuse was investigated and verified to have occurred (an arrest and/or conviction is not necessary). The information can be obtained from the Department of Children and Families, Law Enforcement, the Child Protection Team, or the State’s Attorney Office. Please contact Trauma Therapy Team Supervisor for an assessment of service needs and possible referral.

Adult survivors in need of services are required to contact the Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program (GCSAP) for an assessment of service needs and possible referral. GCSAP 24 hour hotline: (866) 218-4738.

All services provided are of no cost to survivors and their non-offending family members. This is possible due to various grants and community contributions received by the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

Locations

Main Office:

210 E 11th Street

Panama City, FL 32408

(850) 872-7760 (office)

(850) 872-7780 (fax)

Satellite Offices:

Marianna

Blountstown

Chipley

Bonifay

Port St. Joe

If you would like to learn more about the Family Advocacy Program or about the Gulf Coast CAC, please contact our office at 850-872-7760 or click on the “Contact” link on our website to submit your inquiry.