The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona Awarded $125,000 to Support Medical Services for Children of Abused Parents
(Tucson, Ariz. – Sept. 17, 2025) – Mercy Care has awarded The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona (CACSOAZ) a 2025 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $125,000. The grant will fund medical services for children of abused parents. The grant will allow the program to double the number of families it currently serves and provide substantive data to build the knowledge base for domestic violence.
The Children’s Advocacy Center has on-site specially trained pediatric forensic examiners who specialize in sexual abuse cases and are able to immediately provide quality assessments and care to children who visit the Center. The sexual assault forensic examiner gathers forensic medical information for the investigation of the reported abuse and may also make recommendations to ensure that the health needs of the child are met. In addition, the Center contracts with Dr. Dale Woolridge, a pediatrician who serves as the organization’s medical director.
“Having these services available in our building means there is no need for families to travel to another location, deal with the long waiting times associated with emergency rooms, and have medical services provided by someone who may not be specialized in caring for child abuse victims,” said Marie Fordney, executive director of CACSOAZ. “This grant from Mercy Care will help us provide the holistic support that children and families need in one place, so they can focus on healing.”
Mercy Care, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout 2025, partners with organizations across Arizona that advance health equity and address social risk factors to improve health outcomes. Through grant funding, sponsorships, volunteer efforts and board participation, Mercy Care has invested over $38 million in community reinvestment projects that help manage chronic conditions; support mental health and well-being; address housing security; and empower recovery from substance use.
“At Mercy Care, we are deeply committed to supporting the health, safety, and well-being of our community, said Amber Divens, Mercy Care’s Children’s System of Care senior analyst. “We are proud to partner with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southern Arizona to ensure survivors of domestic violence, including children and families, have access to specialized medical care and trauma informed support. This grant reflects our mission to strengthen families, improve health outcomes and create safer more resilient communities across southern Arizona.”
The mission of CACSOAZ is to provide a safe, compassionate, and healing environment for children who have been victims or witnesses to a crime. We are dedicated to helping these children heal from the tragedies they’ve endured by offering a 24/7, one-stop center for advocacy, medical exams, counseling, and more. Our goal is to be the only place where children tell their story, allowing them to start healing before leaving our doors. We work closely with law enforcement to prosecute suspects while ensuring that children and their families are safe, supported, and cared for on their path to recovery.
Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at www.MercyCareAZ.org.
