PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN: Understanding Mandated Reporting, DHR Resources, and the Reality of False Reporting in Alabama When it comes to safeguarding the children in our communities, safety is a shared responsibility. Whether you are a teacher, a neighbor, a parent, or a community volunteer, understanding how child protection laws work is vital to keeping [...]
Standing Together for Our Children: Entering a New Fiscal Year at the Walker County CAC As we step into a new fiscal year at the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), we take a moment to reflect on our mission, our community, and the vital work that lies ahead. Every child deserves a safe, [...]
Behind the Scenes: How Forensic Interview Referrals Reach the Walker County Children’s Advocacy CenterWhen a child experiences trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or witnesses severe violence, telling their story should never add to their pain. Historically, young victims had to repeat terrifying details to multiple adults: police officers, social workers, medical personnel, and prosecutors. Today, [...]
From the Desk of The Therapist Helping others has always been more than a career choice for me, it is a passion and a calling. I recently graduated from the University of West Alabama with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and I have been fortunate to gain experiences that have [...]
From the Desk of the Assistant Director- Forensic Interviewing/Victim Advocacy It feels incredibly fitting to finally sit down and share this piece of my heart this week, of all weeks. Across the country, we are wrapping up National Forensic Interviewer’s Week. For most people, it’s a title that requires immediate explanation. For me, it [...]
From The Desk of the Executive Director Some things you know but you don’t know why, and it can be maddening trying to understand. I have spent my career working in the field of substance abuse, children and adolescents, and in ministry – in other words – working with people. It was always fulfilling [...]
Breakdown of Services: Specialized Therapy (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [TF-CBT]) Therapy is a supportive and confidential process where individuals work with a trained professional to navigate difficult emotions, process experiences, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. At the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center, our focus is specifically on addressing trauma. Trauma is the emotional [...]
Breakdown of Services: Victim and Family Advocacy Victim and Family Advocacy at the Children’s Advocacy Center is a dedicated support system designed to walk alongside families from the moment of a crisis through the long journey of healing and justice. The primary role of an advocate is to serve as a bridge between the [...]
A forensic interview is a specialized, child-led conversation designed to elicit information about suspected abuse in a safe, neutral, and legally sound environment. The process begins long before a family arrives at the center, typically triggered by a report of suspected abuse to law enforcement or the Department of Human Resources (DHR). Once an [...]