In 1989 the State of Illinois passed legislation mandating the requirement of establishing Child Advocacy Center Advisory Boards and the development of protocol coordinating
investigation, prosecution and treatment of all child sexual abuse reports for each county in Illinois. The law was referred to as the Children's Advocacy Center Act of 1989. With the passage of this legislation. McLean County State's Attorney with a grass roots group of community leaders established the McLean County Child Protection Network (CPN) in August of 1990.

When the McLean County voters passed the referendum in 1994 the Advocacy Center became a part of McLean County government as well as keeping the 5016 status of the McLean County Child Protection Network. In 1995 the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program began. CASAs are community volunteers that are well-trained advocates for the best interest of abused or neglected children. The highly visible and successful "eyes of the court" program holds a minimum of 2 training programs yearly and at this writing has approximately 200 community volunteers available to the court to ensure the best interest of a child.

In 1996 the Children's Advocacy Center fulfilled requirements to become a full member of the National Children's Alliance ( NCA). Membership from NCA documents that qualitative program standards are met. Today those standards have become even more stringent and best practices are employed in McLean County with continued full membership in the National Children's Alliance.
In 1996 an adult women's survivor support group began for those who had been abused as children and needed continued support in their daily lives. This support group is still a vital function of the Children's Advocacy Center and the meetings are open at no charge. For information on the time and place of those meetings it is suggested you call the Children's Advocacy Center. The Center continues to provide groups for victims and non offending parents which are scheduled throughout the year.

In 1999 the Center expanded and added a family advocate and a licensed clinical therapist who is available for all children and families seen at the center for counseling at no charge. As well, the center met the challenge of providing advocacy services to Livingston and DeWitt Counties working closely with community leaders in each of those counties to bring to fruition a satellite center in each of those counties.

In July 2001. the Children's Advocacy Center moved to its current location at 200 W. Front Street in Bloomington. This 8000+ sq.. foot facility has a training facility for CASA and multidisciplinary team training's and meetings as well as a large therapy area for individualized and child centered counseling.