Child Advocacy & Trauma Services (CATS) connects children and caregivers to timely, coordinated care
Riverside Community Care recently launched Child Advocacy & Trauma Services (CATS), a new service dedicated to helping children and families navigate trauma with compassionate, coordinated support. CATS serves children and youth who have experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, commercial sexual exploitation, or domestic violence, along with their non-offending caregivers.
CATS operates through a formal partnership with Norfolk Advocates for Children (NAC) and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. All referrals are coordinated through NAC, and Riverside is one of only a few agencies on NAC’s referral list — underscoring the trust placed in Riverside to serve this vulnerable population.
Based at the Riverside Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) in Norwood, CATS is designed to provide trauma-informed care, reduce delays in accessing services, and help prevent further harm. Services are tailored to each family’s needs and may include care coordination, brief family interventions, parent meetings, and short-term trauma therapy. When longer-term support is needed, CATS helps families transition to ongoing care through the CBHC or other providers.
Because CATS is funded through the District Attorney’s Office, there is no cost barrier for families. When insurance can be billed, it is. When it cannot, services are covered through contract funding. That means children can receive support when they need it, without the added burden of financial stress.
For children and families navigating the aftermath of trauma, timely and compassionate care can make a meaningful difference. CATS reflects Riverside’s commitment to being there when it matters most — helping children and families find stability and move forward.
