Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tara Williams
Department: Human Services Division: Crisis Intervention & Support
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO APPROVE Accreditation Agreement between the National Children’s Alliance (“NCA”) and Broward County, effective upon execution through December 31, 2030, for obtaining accredited member status in the NCA and recognizing the Nancy J. Cotterman Center as an accredited Children’s Advocacy Center; authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement, subject to legal sufficiency review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, provided such amendments do not impose any additional financial obligations on the County; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreement.
ACTION: (T-10:50 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE License Agreement between the NCA and Broward County, effective on the date of written notification of approved accredited membership in NCA, to allow the Nancy J. Cotterman Center to use and display the NCA service marks and logos; authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement, subject to legal sufficiency review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, provided such amendments do not impose any additional financial obligations on the County; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreement.
ACTION: (T-10:50 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
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Why Action is Necessary
Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) approval is required for agreements with external agencies.
What Action Accomplishes
Approval of Motions A and B allows the Nancy J. Cotterman Center (“NJCC”) to complete the NCA Children’s Advocacy Center reaccreditation process.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CRISIS INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
These actions support the Commission’s value of “building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives,” and the goal of “delivering human services that holistically address the whole person collaboratively and compassionately.” Reaccreditation from NCA certifies that NJCC is poised to help prevent child abuse and offer child abuse victims the services and support that they need.
A Children’s Advocacy Center (“CAC”) is a national best practice model that uses a child-focused, community-oriented, and multidisciplinary approach to investigate, treat, and prosecute child abuse cases and prevent further victimization of children. NCA accreditation as a CAC enables NJCC to be eligible for CAC grant funding and to utilize member resources at national, state, and regional levels. This includes technical assistance, training materials, and access to professional workshops and conferences. Such accreditation recognizes compliance with the national NCA Standards for Accredited Members.
The reaccreditation process occurs every five years after the original date of accreditation. NJCC was initially accredited as a CAC on June 8, 2003. Thereafter, NJCC received reaccreditations in September 2008, October 2014, and January 2020.
On September 17, 2025, in keeping with its reaccreditation schedule, the NCA team conducted a site visit to assess NJCC and determine its eligibility for renewed accreditation. On October 23, 2025, the NCA approved the application for reaccreditation from NJCC.
The Agreements (Exhibits 1 and 2) are in the form required by NCA and are governed by the laws of the District of Columbia. The Agreements have been reviewed and approved for legal sufficiency by the County Attorney’s Office. NCA will sign last after the Commission’s approval.
Source of Additional Information
Carol Cook, Director, Crisis Intervention and Support Division, 954-357-9590
Ana Ferrer, Human Services Administrator, Nancy J. Cotterman Center, 954-357-5765
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
These are nonfinancial agreements.