Mission: Advocates for Children (ACF) offers safety, comfort, and hope to children and prevents child abuse in all its forms. They serve 11 counties: Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, North Fulton, and Pickens.

How the Dream Big Technology Grant Helps ACF’s Mission

With the TechBridge Dream Big Technology Grant, ACF will work with TechBridge to create a cloud-based data system that will help them determine the overall impact of the organization by program and as a collective. The program will be accessible to program directors at their various centers. ACF has a breadth of program offerings that intersect on many levels in the prevention and recovery of child abuse and neglect. ACF may have multiple touches occurring with a client but due to the lack of an overarching client management system, one department might not be aware of the current or previous services provided to the client. This creates silos and ineffective care.

ACF for Children is thankful for this opportunity to partner with TechBridge through the Dream Big Grant. We are excited about beginning this journey and the expertise the team will bring to our organization

— Rachel Castillo, President and CEO of Advocates for Children

Creating a cloud-based system for sharing and submitting documents, reports, and important client program data will reduce the amount of time program directors need to spend on administrative tasks. The system will also allow the administrative team to easily process documentation and pull statistical data for review without disrupting the programs’ operations. The initial effect of this integrated system will be to improve workflow and time resource allocation organization-wide.

Long term, by looking at the organization holistically for return on investment and community impact, ACF will be able to incorporate data into its strategic planning and monitor changes and improvement. The system then becomes strategic in the process of performance and quality improvement, as well as ongoing data-driven change.

ACF Programs

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) provides advocacy and support to children in foster care.

Flowering Branch Children’s Shelter provides group home services to DFCS as well as Runaway and Homeless Youth Services, Safe Place Services, and Independent Living Services.

Hope in your Home provides parenting through evidence-based curricula such as Parents as Teachers, the Positive Parenting Program, and the Hospital Visitation program.

Child Advocacy Center provides forensic interviewing and wrap-around family support.

Stock image by FETHI BOUHAOUCHINE