Helping Hearts Child Advocacy Center achieves national accreditation for excellence in child advocacy
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ENTERPRISE – (Release from Helping Hearts) Helping Hearts Child Advocacy Center is proud to announce that it has officially been awarded accredited membership by the National Children’s Alliance (NCA). This distinction recognizes Helping Hearts as a leader in the movement to provide effective, compassionate, and coordinated care for children and families impacted by abuse.
The NCA Board of Directors approved the accreditation following an extensive review of the center’s multidisciplinary team, written documentation, and observed practices. This designation confirms that Helping Hearts CAC meets the highest national standards for service delivery, ensuring that the Enterprise community has access to a “gold standard” of care.
“The establishment of a Children’s Advocacy Center is an accomplishment of which your staff, multidisciplinary team, and community can be very proud,” stated Teresa Huizar, CEO of National Children’s Alliance, in the official accreditation letter. “Your willingness and ability to implement this model establishes you as leaders in this growing movement.”
What This Means for Wallowa County
Accreditation is more than just a title; it is a validation of the hard work and commitment of the local community. By meeting these rigorous national standards, Helping Hearts CAC ensures:
- Effective Intervention: A streamlined, multidisciplinary approach to child abuse investigations.
- Compassionate Care: Services designed specifically to reduce trauma for children and their non-offending family members.
- Accountability: National oversight and ongoing compliance with best-practice benchmarks.
“Achieving this accreditation is a massive milestone for our team and our partners,” said Erin Taggart, Executive Director. “It validates that the children of Wallowa County are receiving world-class support right here at home. We are honored to display our NCA membership plaque as a symbol of our dedication to healing and justice.”
About Helping Hearts Child Advocacy Center
Located at 401 NE 1st St. in Enterprise, OR, Helping Hearts Children’s Advocacy Center provides a safe, child-friendly environment for the investigation of child abuse. By bringing together law enforcement, child protective services, medical professionals, and mental health providers, Helping Hearts ensures a comprehensive response to child maltreatment.
About National Children’s Alliance
National Children’s Alliance (NCA) is the national association and accrediting body for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs). Formed in 1988, NCA provides support, technical assistance, and legislative advocacy for CACs across the United States.
