UPMC Child Advocacy Center in Carlisle Receives National Children’s Alliance Satellite Membership

HARRISBURG, PA. (April 23, 2026) – UPMC Child Advocacy Center in Carlisle has been awarded Satellite Membership by National Children’s Alliance following an extensive application and review process. This recognition reflects UPMC Child Advocacy Center's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, coordinated services to child abuse victims in central Pennsylvania and surrounding communities.  
 

The UPMC Child Advocacy Center in Carlisle was opened in 2022 and is dedicated to reducing the trauma and the aftermath of abuse for children and their families while providing care in a safe, child-friendly environment for children suspected of having been abused or neglected. As a Satellite Member of the National Children’s Alliance, the UPMC Child Advocacy Center in Carlisle provides comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse. 
 

The National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of membership to centers responding to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient and puts the needs of the child first. Satellite Members must utilize a functioning and effective multidisciplinary team approach to work collaboratively in child abuse investigation, prosecution and treatment. 
 

“As an organization dedicated to a coordinated and collaborative response to child abuse, we recognize the importance of achieving Satellite Member status from National Children’s Alliance as a team,” said Shannon Cossaboom, director of Operations, UPMC Child Advocacy Center of Central Pa. “Satellite membership demonstrates to the community the care and commitment to provide proven evidenced-based services to those in need.  It also helps to establish consistency across the child advocacy center movement as a whole and allows us to facilitate hope, healing and resiliency for everyone we serve.” 
 

Opened in 1994 and having served more than 24,000 children suspected of abuse, neglect or exposure to violence, UPMC Child Advocacy Center of Central Pa. in Dauphin County earned Accredited Child Advocacy Center status with the National Children’s Alliance and is one of the first nationally accredited child advocacy centers in Pennsylvania.  
 

UPMC Child Advocacy Center also has an office located in Lebanon County. For more information about the UPMC Child Advocacy Center of Central Pa., visit UPMC Child Advocacy Center of Central Pa. | UPMC in Central Pa. 
 

About UPMC 
UPMC is a world-renowned, nonprofit health care provider and insurer committed to delivering exceptional, people-centered care and community services. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC is shaping the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research, and education. Dedicated to advancing the well-being of our diverse communities, we provide nearly $2 billion annually in community benefits, more than any other health system in Pennsylvania. Our 100,000 employees — including more than 5,000 physicians — care for patients across more than 40 hospitals and 800 outpatient sites in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland, as well as overseas. UPMC Insurance Services covers more than 4 million members, providing affordable, high-quality, value-based care. To learn more, visit UPMC.com. 
 

About National Children’s Alliance: 
National Children’s Alliance is the national association and accrediting body for over 900 Children’s Advocacy Centers and 50 State Chapters serving each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient, and put the needs of child victims of abuse first, National Children’s Alliance provides support and advocacy to its accredited membership, as well as numerous developing centers, multidisciplinary teams and child abuse professionals around the country, and the world. As the national authority on multidisciplinary approaches to supporting child victims of abuse, the purpose of National Children’s Alliance is to empower local communities to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse. Founded in 1990, National Children’s Alliance provides accreditation opportunities, financial assistance, training, technical assistance, research and education to communities, child abuse professionals and children’s advocacy centers throughout the United States in support of child abuse intervention, advocacy and prevention.