About Meadowlark House Child Advocacy Center
Meadowlark House Child Advocacy Center is a Kansas nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating and promoting resources for victims of child abuse.
Meadowlark House Child Advocacy Center was founded in 1999
through the vision and collaboration of local law enforcement, social service professionals, and medical providers who recognized a critical need in Ford County: a safe, child-centered space where children could be interviewed with care, dignity, and compassion during investigations of abuse.
At the time, children were often required to recount traumatic experiences in intimidating or unfamiliar settings. Community leaders sought to change that by creating a single, coordinated location where professionals could work together to reduce trauma and improve outcomes for children and families. This shared commitment led to the establishment of Meadowlark House.
The organization’s first home was a small house located behind the Ford County Health Department on Avenue A, provided at no cost by Ford County. After the original structure was condemned due to foundation damage in 2001, Meadowlark House relocated to 1405 Avenue A, where it continued to serve children and families for nearly two decades.
In 2002, Meadowlark House achieved Full Membership with the National Children’s Alliance (NCA),
a significant milestone that affirmed its commitment to nationally recognized standards for child advocacy centers. At that time, it was only the second center in Kansas to receive this designation.
As the need for services grew, Meadowlark House continued to evolve. A part-time forensic interviewer was hired in 2004, and by 2013 the organization established a full-time Child Advocacy Center Coordinator position to strengthen services and oversight. In 2014, Meadowlark House formally separated from the Crisis Center of Dodge City to become an independent organization, allowing for expanded programming and sustainability.
In 2015, Meadowlark House was officially recognized as a Kansas nonprofit organization and later received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
That same year, the center was awarded a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant, enabling the hiring of a victim advocate and further strengthening services for children and families. In 2019, Meadowlark House moved from its longtime location on Avenue A to its current facility at 11154 Kliesen Street, Suite 3, allowing for continued growth and improved space to serve children in a safe, welcoming, and trauma-informed environment.
Today, Meadowlark House continues to serve children and families throughout the region through coordinated forensic interviews, advocacy, and multidisciplinary collaboration.