Untitled - Alabama Network of Children`s Advocacy Centers

Our mis s ion
The Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to
promote the multi-disciplinary process in fostering an abuse-free society for Alabama’s children and support
the development of the children’s advocacy center model through public awareness, training and networking.
The Network achieves this mission through 23 full member advocacy centers, one associate
member center, and five pilot projects that serve 54 counties with forensic interviewing,
evaluations and counseling.
A full member center is a child advocacy center that meets the standards of Section 26-16-70 of
the Alabama Code, and is certified by the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc.
as a full member.
An associate member center is a child advocacy center that is working toward full membership
status and has been approved by the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc. for
associate membership status.
A pilot project is a program initiated by the board of directors of the Alabama Network of
Children’s Advocacy Centers to provide services to children in underserved areas of the state.
Ta bl e of c ont e nt s
Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A Message From Our Leaders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
What is a CAC?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
How do CACs Help? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
The Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Map of CACs in Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Step Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Standards For Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Diversity Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Funding Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Statement of Financial Position. . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Why a Blue Ribbon? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
NOTE: The drawings in this annual report were created
by children visiting child advocacy centers across the
state of Alabama.
Pr e f a c e
A little boy came into one of our child advocacy centers and was not able to draw
for them on the first few visits because of his past abuse. He used his fists to put
images on the paper and when asked why he used his fists, he explained that he
felt so bad about himself that this is how he viewed himself—not able to express
who he was and saw himself as nothing. When he finished therapy, he was able
to spread out his hands on the paper to make imprints and told us he was now
an ok person and felt better about himself and could let them see who he as.
This relates to what the therapists always say and what our mission statement
relates to: kids enter our doors as victims and leave us at the end of counseling
as survivors. You live your life differently when you survive life and look forward to
life rather than see yourself as a victim. This makes our work even more
important when we realize what happens through the words and deeds of a little
boy who reminded us of what we do and its value.
This is the actual artwork that the little boy drew after
completing therapy at a child advocacy center.
A me s s a ge f r om our l e a de r s
It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the Network’s
Directors and our distinguished legislators as we sought to provide
services to Alabama’s communities.
It is the responsibility of each child advocacy center to provide direct
intervention services to sexually abused and severely physically
abused children.
We are fortunate to have outstanding legislators who have worked
diligently to provide funding for our centers. Because of this support
the Network is leading this nation in making Alabama a role model for
other states.
By using $1.7 million of state appropriation money, the Network
budgeted more than $14 million with assistance from matched
federal funding. The center also provided 8,580 services to abused
children using the multi-disciplinary team approach.
Statistical data is provided in this report outlining the services and
number of children our centers assist. Please note that this is just a
small portion of what each center provides for their community.
Thank you for the opportunity to share this 2004 Annual Report for
the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc.
Sincerely,
In the more than seven years that I have been the director of a child
advocacy center in Alabama, many things have changed
tremendously, both in my own center and state wide. We have gone
from a network of 17 centers to two dozen, with several other
geographic areas working hard at local levels to develop centers in
underserved areas of the state. Despite the growth in our number of
centers, our mission "...to promote the multidisciplinary process in
fostering an abuse-free society for Alabama's children..." has
remained the same. Another thing that has remained the same is
the need for new center development to first begin at the local level,
garnering support and enthusiasm within one's own community. This
is key to and vital for any center to achieve lasting success. It
continues to be the first piece of advice offered to any individual or
group that contacts the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy
Centers inquiring as to how they can get an advocacy center started
in their area.
I believe in the ANCAC mission, and I believe in the need for grassroots support of each individual center. With our mission held firmly
before us, and our local support upholding us, the abused children of
Alabama have been and will continue to be well-served as ANCAC
strives to provide the unique and specialized services of advocacy
centers to all areas of our State. Our shared belief in the work of this
Network and our centers will carry us into the future. Join us for the
journey.
Sincerely,
Blakely H. Davis
Board President 2003 – 2004
Susan D. Martin
Board President 2004 - 2005
Wha t is a CAC?
The Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers
is a coalition of 23 full member child advocacy centers,
one associate member, and five pilot projects located
across Alabama. Each center provides a neutral,
home-like setting where child victims of sexual and
physical abuse may receive a wide-range of services
including joint team interviews by the Department of
Human Resources and law enforcement personnel;
multi-disciplinary case review teams made up of
representatives from the Alabama Department of
Human Resources, law enforcement entities, mental
and physical health, medical, the District Attorney, and
the child advocacy center; tracking of child abuse cases
to assure that the children and their families receive
the services they need; referrals for medical exams;
and mental health counseling.
Centers also offer training to recognize and treat child
abuse and education for all community personnel who
work with children in any way.
Services Performed
2003 – 2004
How do c a c s he l p?
It is the responsibility of each child advocacy center to provide direct intervention services to sexually and severely abused children in
its community. Child advocacy centers offer assistance to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the District Attorney’s
office, and law enforcement entities by providing expertise in the areas of interviewing, counseling, case tracking and testimony on
behalf of the child. They also provide support to non-offending family members.
Some of the services provided by CACs include:
Forensic Interviews
Divorce Education
Forensic Evaluations
At-Risk School Counseling
Counseling
Individual Child Counseling
School Prevention
Training for Multi-Disciplinary Team
Home Visitation
Programs
Mental Health Referral
Child Death Review Team
Court Preparation
Crime Victims Compensation
Parenting Classes
Assistance
Parent Support
Community Education/ Awareness
Groups
Non-Offending Caregiver’s Support
Child Support Groups
Group
Counseling Sessions Provided
2003 - 2004
The f a c t s
In Fiscal Year 2003/ 2004 ANCAC members (child
advocacy centers) provided 8,580 services to
abused children
Multi-Disciplinary Team Statistics
2003 - 2004
ANCAC members provided forensic interviews for
5,101 abused children; this is a service that is not
offered by any state agency
There were 1,882 cases of severe physical or
sexual child abuse referred to a District Attorney’s
office for prosecution by ANCAC members
ANCAC members referred 1,149 children for
medical exams because of severe physical or sexual
abuse
There were 15,572 counseling sessions provided
by ANCAC members
Of all the children receiving services from an
ANCAC member 65.36% were Caucasian, 31.8% were African American, 1.43% were Hispanic, and 1.41% were other
32% of children receiving services were 0 – 6 and 13 – 18-years-old; 36% were 7 – 12-years-old
ANCAC members brought $4,012,030 of federal grant funding into Alabama (includes Victims of Crime Act/ ADECA money)
Other grant money received by ANCAC members totals $138,500
ANCAC his t or y
Bud Cramer, Alabama native, and now United States Representative, introduced the concept of the child advocacy center on local,
state, and national levels in 1984. The first child advocacy center in the nation was established in Huntsville on May 1, 1985 by
Representative Cramer.
In 1986 the Alabama Legislature passed a bill designating the Huntsville location as
a pilot child advocacy center program. This opened the door to Victims Of Crime Act
funding for our first center. The Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers
began as an informal organization with Bud Cramer as the first president of the
organization. During the next decade, Alabama would establish 10 centers across
the state and lead the nation in the development of child advocacy centers. The
model, developed here in Alabama, has spread to more than 400 sites across the
United States and several foreign countries.
Legislation was passed in 1990 to fund seven full-member centers in Alabama. In
1992 House Bill 446 passed and the Alabama Network Standards became written
law. Four years later, the Network was recognized as a State Chapter by The
National Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers.
Ma p of c a c s
In Al a ba ma
Lauderdale
Limestone
Jackson
Madison
Colbert
™
‹
Lawrence
Franklin
Dekalb
Morgan
Marion
Marshall
Cullman
Cherokee
Winston
Etowah
Blount
Walker
Calhoun
Fayette
St. Clair
Jefferson
Lamar
Cleburne
Counties Served by a Full Member CAC
Talladega
Pickens
Tuscaloosa
Clay
Shelby
Randolph
Counties Served by an Associate Member CAC
Bibb
Greene
Coosa
Pilot Project CACs
Hale
Tallapoosa
Chilton
Chambers
Perry
Sumter
Developing Centers Coverage Area
Elmore
Autauga
™
Lee
‹
Macon
Dallas
Possible Services Provided by Existing CAC
Russell
Marengo
Montgomery
Choctaw
Lowndes
Bullock
Wilcox
= Child Advocacy Center Location
‹ = Pilot Project Center Location
™ = Presentation to Develop CAC Depending on
Legislative Funding
Pike
Clarke
‹
Butler
Monroe
Barbour
‹
Crenshaw
Henry
Dale
Washington
Conecuh
Coffee
Covington
‹
Escambia
Mobile
Baldwin
Geneva
Houston
St e p pl a n
1. Centers applying for Associate Membership into the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Inc. shall contact their
respective legislators to establish a pool of funding up to $25,000 for two years. The applying center’s legislators, after signing
on in full support of their developing CAC, will present this funding request to the Chairperson of the House Government Finance
and Appropriations Committee and the Chairperson of the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee to be added to the ANCAC
appropriations.
2. Contingent on the availability of funds, the center will receive $50,000 its first year as a
full member of the ANCAC.
3. Contingent on the availability of funds, the center will receive $75,000 its second year
as a full member of the ANCAC.
4. Contingent on the availability of funds, the center will receive $100,000 its third year as
a full member of the ANCAC
5. The center will receive full funding its fourth year as a full member of the ANCAC.
6. If proration occurs, all centers will share the reduction.
7. Possible additional funding will be made available for satellite
centers. (To be studied further by Long-Range Planning
Committee.)
This plan was prepared, presented, and passed unanimously at the annual meeting of the
Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc., on Thursday July 22, 1999.
St a nda r ds f or me mbe r s hip
In order to become eligible for full membership in the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc., child advocacy centers
in this state shall:
Be a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) children’s advocacy center.
Have a neutral, child focused facility where joint Alabama Department of Human Resources and law enforcement interviews
take place with children in appropriate cases of suspected child sexual and physical abuse. All multi-disciplinary agencies shall
have a place to interact with the child as investigative or treatment needs require.
Have a minimum designated staff supervised/ approved by the local board of directors.
Have a Multi-disciplinary Case Review Team that meets on a regularly scheduled basis or as the case load of the community
requires. The team shall consist of representatives from the District Attorney, the Alabama Department of Human Resources,
mental health, law enforcement entities, and the child advocacy center staff. Medical personnel and a victim’s advocate may be
part of the team.
Provide case tracking of child abuse cases seen at the CAC. A center shall also collect data on: the number of child abuse
cases seen at the center by sex, race, age, and other relevant data; the number of cases referred for prosecution; and the
number of cases referred for mental health therapy.
Provide referrals for medical exams and mental health therapy. The center shall also provide
follow-up on cases referred for mental health therapy.
Provide training for various disciplines in the community that handle child abuse.
Have an interagency commitment covering those aspects of agency participation in a multidisciplinary approach to the handling of child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse cases..
Provide assurance that center volunteers are trained and screened by appropriate resources..
Div e r s it y s t a t e me nt
The Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Inc. promotes policies and practices that are culturally competent. Cultural
competency is defined as the capacity to function in more than one culture, requiring the ability to appreciate, understand and
interact with members of diverse populations within our local community.
Reporting Date: October 1, 2003 - September 30, 2004
Current CAC
Statistical Makeup
Caucasian
Total
Full Time Employees
Part Time Employees
Board of Directors
Volunteers
Interns
Vacancies Filled during
reporting period
148
44
430
910
38
State Population* :
%
127
36
350
802
26
85.81%
81.82%
81.40%
88.13%
68.42%
Caucasian
Total
Full Time Employees
Part Time Employees
Board of Directors
Alabama Census
Statistics
#
#
21
8
47
%
17
6
40
80.95%
75.00%
85.11%
Caucasian
Total
4,464,356
#
3,174,157
* Population Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census
%
African American
#
%
20
8
77
101
12
13.51%
18.18%
17.91%
11.10%
31.58%
African American
#
%
3
2
7
26.00%
%
1
0
3
7
0
0.68%
0.00%
0.70%
0.77%
0.00%
Other
#
14.29%
25.00%
14.89%
African American
#
%
71.10% 1,160,733
Other
#
%
1
0
0
4.76%
0.00%
0.00%
Other
#
129,466
%
2.90%
Funding s our c e s
Some examples of funding sources include but are not limited to:
State Appropriations
Local Public Schools
Corporate Donations
Children First Trust
Local Grants
Private Donations
United Way
Fundraisers
Victims of Crime Act/ Alabama Department
of Economic and Community Affairs
Children’s Justice Task Force
National Children’s Alliance
Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama
Alabama Department of Human Resources
County Commissions
Court Fees
St a t e me nt of f ina nc ia l pos it ion
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash - checking
Cash - Savings
Accounts Receivable
Total current assets
2003 - 2004
$
Property and Equipment
Furniture and Fixtures
Computers and Printers
7,884.85
13,178.30
21,063.15
(12,162.05)
8,901.10
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
Total Property and Equipment
Total Assets
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable
Payroll Taxes Payable
Accrued Compensated Absences
Total Liabilities
$
100,281.63
$
2.00
3,988.33
364.85
4,355.18
Net Assets - Unrestricted
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
22,913.31
59,746.07
8,721.15
91,380.53
95,926.45
$
100,281.63
Me mbe r s
FULL MEMBERS:
Bessemer Cut-Off Advocacy Center
Debbi Land – Executive Director
Bessemer, AL
(205) 481-4155
Care House – Baldwin County CAC
Blakely Davis – Executive Director
Bay Minette, AL
(251) 937-2273
Dekalb County CAC
Elizabeth Wheatley – Executive Director
Ft. Payne, AL
(256) 997-9700
Blount County CAC
Jerry Renno – Executive Director
Oneonta, AL
(205) 274-7226
CAC of East Alabama
Emilyn Gipson – Executive Director
Opelika, AL
(334) 705-0774
Mobile CAC
Pat Guyton – Executive Director
Mobile, AL
(251) 432-1101
Brooks’ Place – CAC of Cullman
Susan Martin – Executive Director
Cullman, AL
(256) 739-2243
CAC of Marshall County
Leslie Guthrie – Executive Director
Guntersville, AL
(256) 582-8492
National CAC
TBA – Executive Director
Huntsville, AL
(256) 533-0531
Butler County CAC – Safe Harbor
Kathy Smyth – Executive Director
Greenville, AL
(334) 382-8584
Child Protect CAC
Jannah Bailey – Executive Director
Montgomery, AL
(334) 262-1220
Northwest Alabama CAC
Richard Davy – Executive Director
Florence, AL
(256) 760-1140
Calhoun/ Cleburne Children’s Center
Dennis Trammell – Executive Director
Anniston, AL
(256) 238-0902
CAC of Cherokee County
Lori Lumsden – Executive Director
Center, AL
(256) 927-2111
Prescott House
Mary Murphy – Executive Director
Birmingham, AL
(205) 930-3622
Russell County CAC
Lynn Hart – Executive Director
Phenix City, AL
(334) 297-4962
St. Clair County CAC
Pamela Kelley – Executive Director
Pell City, AL
(205) 338-8847
Shelby County Advocacy Center
Helen Rardin – Executive Director
Columbiana, AL
(205) 669-3333
West Alabama CAC
Paul Young – Executive Director
Vernon, AL
(205) 695-8100
ASSOCIATE MEMBER:
Palmer Place - Talladega County CAC
Nancy Green – Executive Director
Talladega, AL
(256) 315-2662
Southeast Alabama CAC
Sherryl Walker – Executive Director
Dothan, AL
(334) 671-1779
PILOT PROJECTS:
Central Alabama Regional CAC
Susan Keith – Contact
Selma, AL
(334) 876-4876
Morgan County CAC
Bob Burrell – Contact
Decatur, AL
(256) 351-4610
Tri-County CAC
Timothy Birt – Executive Director
Lafayette, AL
(888) 204-7224
Clark County Regional CAC
Mary English – Contact
Grove Hill, AL
(251) 275-7026
Pike County Regional CAC
Mona Watson – Contact
Troy, AL
(334) 735-5082
Tuscaloosa CAC
Patricia Steele – Executive Director
Tuscaloosa, AL
(205) 752-7711
Escambia Regional CAC
Kathy Hill – Contact
Brewton, AL
(251) 809-2906
Commit t e e s
Diversity
Sarah Wilhite, Chair
Jannah Bailey
Pamela Kelley
Finance
Jerry Renno, Chair
Blakely Davis
Sherryl Walker
Legislative
Emilyn Gipson, Co-Chair
Pat Guyton, Co-Chair
Long Range Planning
Lynn Hart, Chair
Timothy Birt
Connie Carnes
Paul Young
Public Relations -- Community
Education
Mary Murphy, Chair
Lori Lumsden
Patricia Steele
Standards
Helen Rardin, Chair
Richard Davy
Elizabeth Wheatley
Debbi Land
Training
Leslie Guthrie, Chair
Nancy Green
Kathy Smyth
Dennis Trammell
Emilyn Gipson
Executive Committee
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Member-At-Large:
Immediate Past President:
Susan Martin
Richard Davy
Lori Lumsden
Jerry Renno
Pamela Kelley
Blakely Davis
Wh y a b l u e r ib b o n ?
NO! It isn’t true! It simply cannot be true! They are telling me that
my grandson is dead ... they are wrong! There must be some
mistake ... Michael is fine ... but deep in my heart, I knew it was true
for I have not seen him in weeks. It’s been so long since I sat by his
side in the hospital. Of course I knew something was wrong as I sat
there. I saw fear on his face, the bruises on his body, and the healing
cigarette burns on his hands. His doctor did not believe my
daughter’s story ... "he fell in slippery water in the bathtub" ... I felt
sick ... I didn’t understand ... Are my granddaughters all right, was all
I thought. Where are they?
I only had one child. She was a beautiful little girl. She was the light
of our eyes. We knew she had entered into a stormy marriage, for
we brought her home several times in the five years the marriage
lasted. We suspected heavy use of drugs ... BUT ... in those five
years, three beautiful, healthy children had been born. I loved them
dearly, and they loved me. The children were 16 months, 3 years
and 4 years old.
After the ordeal at the hospital, my grandson was placed in foster
care for three weeks. He cried when they came to take him back to
his mother. He told his foster mother, "my momma doesn’t love
me," and he begged to stay. I ached for his dilemma. I was not
physically able to care for him. The courts seemed to believe that
home was the best place for him ... but I knew better and I told ... no,
begged them not to return him to his mother. But I was overruled.
My instinct as a grandmother did not count.
I never saw Michael again. My 16 month old granddaughter was
hospitalized after being beaten severely ... her leg was broken in four
places, and her hand burned from the tip of her little fingers to her
wrist. It was only then that the "search was on" for Michael. We
learned that he had been killed, wrapped in a sheet, stuffed in a tool
box and dumped in to a dismal swamp three months earlier.
My grandchildren had suffered and battled so much throughout
their young lives that it sickened me. My life was turned into physical
and mental chaos. My efforts to understand became a plea to stop
abusing children. I tied a blue ribbon on my van antenna to make
people wonder. It caught on locally with restaurants, businesses, the
police department and radio and television stations. They all started
supporting me in my efforts to make a real awareness campaign.
Why the color blue? I never intend to forget the battered, bruised
bodies of my grandchildren. Bruises are black, then eventually blue.
Therefore, blue serves as a constant reminder to me to fight for our
children. Everyday, I pray that our children will be allowed to hear the
sounds of a different drummer.
Join with me ... we must protect our most precious gift of all ... our
children. Please wear a blue ribbon ... put one on your car ... give one
to your friends ... tell them what it means ... you may be saving a
child’s life! If you suspect anything is happening to your children ...
your grandchildren ... the child next door ... PLEASE ACT! If you don’t
get any results or a response, please try again. You may not hear
their screams ... you may not see their bruises ... so check for the
pain and screams in their eyes.
Bonnie Finney, Norfolk, Va.
Source: www.preventchildabuse.com/ blue
Tara D. Johnson, State Coordinator
Laura J. Hamlin, Administrative Assistant
825 Adams Avenue / P.O. Box 1267
Montgomery, AL 36102-2167
Office: (334) 834-3468
Fax: (334) 834-3469
tjohnsonancac@bellsouth.net
ancac@bellsouth.net
www.ancac.org