Alabama prosecutor Robert "Bud" Cramer developed the CAC Model in Huntsville, Alabama, launching a nationwide movement for child welfare. The model reshaped the system by using a multidisciplinary approach that brought together law enforcement, medical providers and child advocates in one coordinated setting.

Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) were formally established in Arkansas through Act 1208, creating a prosecutor-led, collaborative approach to child abuse investigations. The law required law enforcement, child protection agencies and other partners to work together through MDTs.

Retired Judge David Saxon helped develop the model in Sebastian and Crawford counties, while Jackie Hamilton coordinated Arkansas' first MDT.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southeast Arkansas in Pine Bluff made history as the first CAC in Arkansas.

The Children’s Safety Center of Washington County in Springdale, AR was established.

The Arkansas Association of Child Advocacy Centers was established as an informal membership organization under the umbrella of the Merlin Foundation to support the state's emerging network of Child Advocacy Centers.

The Children and Family Advocacy Center of Benton County in Little Flock, AR was established.

The Merlin Foundation established a CAC program in Green Forest, AR.

The Cooper-Anthony Mercy Children’s Advocacy Center in Hot Springs, AR was established by Mercy Health.

The Arkansas Association of Children’s Advocacy Centers was renamed Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas (CACar) to represent the state’s network of CACs.

The Wade Knox Children’s Advocacy Center in Lonoke, AR was established.

The Children's Advocacy Center of Eastern Arkansas in West Memphis, AR was established under the umbrella of Mid-south Health System.

The Children’s Protection Center in Little Rock, AR was established.

Senator Percy Malone secured dedicated state funding for CACs and MDTs through The Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence.

The Texarkana Child Advocacy Center in Texarkana, TX began serving children in Arkansas.

The Child Safety Center of White County in Searcy, AR was established.

The Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center in Jonesboro, AR was established.

The Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy in Fort Smith, AR was established.

CACar hired its first paid employee, a Chapter Coordinator, marking an important milestone in the organization's growth and capacity to support CACs across Arkansas.

Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center was established in Harrison, AR, replacing the Merlin Foundation in Green Forest.

The Central Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center in Conway, AR was established.

CACar hosted its first Child Protection Luncheon, honoring Dr. Jerry G. Jones with the inaugural annual Senator Percy Malone Child Protection Award.

The Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center in Arkadelphia, AR was established.

CACar launched the Woman of Inspiration Gala, which became the official platform of Arkansas First Lady Susan Hutchinson.

CACar established its first state chapter office in North Little Rock.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado, AR was established.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County in Batesville, AR was established.

The River Valley Children’s Advocacy Center in Russellville, AR was established.

The CACar office relocated to the Union Plaza Building in downtown Little Rock.

CACar implemented Collaborate, the first statewide database for Arkansas’ CACs, creating a unified platform for standardized data collection, case tracking, reporting and statewide coordination to strengthen the multidisciplinary response to child abuse.

The Mending Hearts Child Safety Center was established in West Memphis, AR, replacing the Children’s Advocacy Center of Eastern Arkansas.

CACar became the statewide provider of ChildFirst® Arkansas, a nationally recognized forensic interview training program for professionals responding to child abuse, in partnership with the Zero Abuse Project.

CACar advocated for legislative reforms to align Arkansas with national standards for child abuse response. Act 975 was subsequently signed into law by Governor Asa Hutchinson, transferring oversight of the Arkansas MDT Project to CACar and formally establishing AR•MDT.

The MDT Oversight Committee was established to provide statewide leadership, strengthen MDT practices and promote a consistent, child-centered response to child abuse across Arkansas.

The Ouachita Child Safety Center in Mena, AR was established.

CACar rebranded its annual fundraising event as the Inspiration Gala, formerly the Woman of Inspiration Gala, and honored Attorney General Tim Griffin with the Inspire Award.

With the generous support of Attorney General Tim Griffin, CACar expanded Collaborate to include Arkansas Multidisciplinary Teams (AR•MDTs), enabling the organization to track and report the impact of both CACs and MDTs across the state.