The Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC) provides comprehensive guidelines for the use of interpreters in Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs). These guidelines ensure that children and families with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or who are deaf/hard of hearing receive the necessary support during forensic interviews and throughout the investigation and prosecution process. The document emphasizes the importance of children feeling safe and comfortable, the accurate relay of information, and clear communication of the multidisciplinary team’s roles and decisions. It outlines the use of court-certified interpreters for forensic interviews, prohibits the use of family members as interpreters during these interviews, and offers experience-based considerations for those utilizing interpreters in forensic settings.
