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Forensic Interviewing: Fact-Finding, Child-Focused, Friendly
by Beth Copeland, Contributing Editor
A self-described "kid at heart," forensic interviewer Jan Rogers joined the Child Advocacy Center staff on January 25.
"We're thrilled to have her," CAC Executive Director Roberta Humphries says. "She's a great addition to our program."
Rogers' role is to interview as many of the children and adolescents referred to the Child Advocacy Center as possible. Because of the volume of cases, however, it will be impossible for her to conduct every interview. Members of the Cumberland County Multidisciplinary Team will continue to conduct child-sensitive interviews. Rogers will "help with the overall consistency of interviews," Humphries says. Rogers describes forensic interviewing as a "neutral, fact-finding way for a child to sit and tell what happened. The interviews are structured to be age-appropriate, child- focused, and friendly." ... read the rest of the story |
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Protect Children Now and in the Future
by Roberta Humphries, Executive Director
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse and neglect affect children of every age, race and family income level. However, research shows that certain factors relating to the child, family, community, and society are associated with an increased risk of child abuse and neglect. When more than one risk factor is present the risk multiplies. Some of these factors include but are not limited to: young parents unprepared for the responsibilities of raising a child, single parent households without a support network, families under stress by poverty, divorce or a child's disability, families with substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence problems. These circumstances, combined with the inherent challenges of raising children, can result in otherwise well -intentioned parents causing their children harm or neglecting their needs. This month and throughout the year, The Child Advocacy Center encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Cumberland County/Fort Bragg a better place for families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect.
Research shows that five important factors are present in healthy families. Promoting these factors is among the most effective ways to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. They are:
Nurturing and attachment - Building a close bond helps parents better understand, respond to, and communicate with their children.
Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development - Helps parents better understand what to look for at each age and how to help their children reach their full potential.
Parental resilience - Recognizing the signs of stress and enhancing problem-solving skills can help parents build their capacity to cope.
Social connections - Parents with an extensive network of family, friends, and neighbors have better support in times of need.
Concrete support for parents - Caregivers with access to financial, housing, and other concrete resources and services that help them meet their basic needs can better attend to their role as parents.
April is a great time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children. Everyone's participation is critical. Focusing on ways to promote the five protective factors, in every interaction with families, is the best thing our community can do to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
(information adapted from Prevent Child Abuse America) |
The Child Advocacy Center Welcomes Seven New
Board Members
Pictured L-R: Front Row: Angela Neal, Carolyn Zahran, Kensley Edge, Kenneth Barefoot. Back Row: Tim Edwards, Billy West, Marcus Cox
Carolyn R. Zahran is an active community volunteer and has served as the chair of the Child Advocacy Center's Blue Jean Ball Committee. She was formerly a buyer for Belk and owner of the Village Coffee Shop.
Angela Neal is a former elementary teacher in the Cumberland County School System.
Marcus M. Cox is Fayetteville Market President for Bank of America/Merrill Lynch and Senior Client Manager for Bank of America Global Commercial Banking Business Banking Group in Eastern North Carolina. He joined Bank of America in 2001 and has been active in civic and community affairs throughout his career.
Kensley Edge has served on numerous boards and committees within the community and is a former president of the Junior League of Fayetteville. She has previously served on the Child Advocacy Center's Blue Jean Ball Committee.
Billy West is a Senior Assistant District Attorney for Cumberland County and has worked in the District Attorney's office for 10 years. He has prosecuted numerous cases to include homicides and sexual assaults as well as child homicide and child sexual assault cases. He is a lifelong member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church and an avid golfer.
Tim Edwards is a partner in Blackwell and Edwards, where he has practiced law since 1995. His focus is primarily in Family Law, dealing with Child Custody, Child Support, Alimony and Equitable Distribution. He has participated in local theatre productions and has served on the organizational board of Safe Haven and the Development Committee of the Child Advocacy Center. Kenneth Barefoot is a Real Estate Broker and Realtor with Townsend Real Estate, where he has worked for six years. He has participated in three mission trips to an orphanage in Jelgava, Latvia, and he and his family have hosted an orphan in their home for the past two summers. |
Announcements
Speakers' Bureau
As you plan your new year of speakers for civic, faith and community organizations, don't forget the CAC has a group of volunteers who are eager to speak on the problem of child abuse and what individuals can do to prevent and stop it. Please call the center at 486-9700 to schedule.
Turn your Grocery Shopping into a Fundraiser for the CAC Register your Food Lion MVP card to support the Child Advocacy Center and get a chance to win free groceries every time you shop! Food Lion's new program, MVP Community Rewards, is a free, easy way for you to provide the CAC with much-needed donations.
To learn more and sign up, visit www.foodlionmvprewards.com, click on "Shoppers Register Here," and enter your 12-digit MVP card number and Organization Code 252043. All supporters must register, even if you have previously registered for other programs.
Facebook page 
Check out the Child Advocacy Center on Facebook and become a fan! Share our page with your Facebook friends.
Congratulations!
The CAC is proud to congratulate Dr. Howard Loughlin and Dr. Molly Berkoff who recently became Board Certified in the new sub-specialty of Child Abuse Pediatrics.
CAC Wish list
Bottled Water
Canned soft drinks
Powdered creamer and sugar
Hot and cold drink cups
Paper plates
Tri fold paper towels
Gift cards to grocery store or office supply store
Copy paper 8 ½ X 11
Post-it notes
Air Purifier
Children's books or magazines
Individually wrapped snack items
Stand Fan
New office furniture
New furniture for family waiting room
***Paper Folder for Mass mailings ***
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| Thank You!
The CAC would like to thank the Friends of the Turkey Tee-Off for their generous donation of $680 given in memory of Shaniya Davis. Pictured making the presentation to Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Roberta Humphries are: Brian Walker, Robert Wilson, Bob Spicer, and Steve Zahran.
Larry Clubine from the Downtown Alliance donated a new American Flag to replace the worn flag that was flying at the CAC. Troop Leader Jim Ammons and members of Boy Scout Troop 740 from Haymount United Methodist Church lowered the old flag and raised the new flag above the CAC.
 
Pictured L-R: Larry Clubine, Alex Shipley, Jamie Ammons, Andrew Shipley, Chris Shipley, Roberta Humphries
From January 14-16 VFW Post 670 was the site for the American Poolplayers Association Benefit Tournament for the CAC. Members of the APA Pool League of the Cape Fear Region raised $1224 for the CAC. Much appreciation to League Operators Tom & Mary Lu Dosier for organizing this fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center. |
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Ten Ways to Help Prevent Child Abuse... 
· Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know that they are special, loved and capable of following their dreams.
· Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent isn't easy. Offer a helping hand. Take care of the children, so the parents can rest or spend time together.
· Help yourself. When the big and little problems of your every day life pile up to the point that you feel overwhelmed and out of control-take time out. Don't take it out on your kid.
· If your baby cries ... It can be frustrating to hear your baby cry. Learn what to do if your baby won't stop crying. Never shake a baby-shaking a child may result in severe injury or death.
· Get involved. Ask your community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and families.
· Help to develop parenting resources at your local library.
· Promote programs in schools. Teaching children, parents and teachers prevention strategies can help to keep children safe.
· Monitor your child's television and video viewing. Watching violent films and TV programs can harm young children.
· Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program. For information about volunteer opportunities, call 1.800.CHILDREN. Locally, you can call the CAC at 486-9700.
· Report suspected abuse or neglect. If you have reason to believe a child has been or may be harmed, call your local department of children and family services or your local police department. To report child abuse in Cumberland County, call (910) 677-2450.
Reprinted from Prevent Child Abuse America
Additional resource information on protecting children from abuse may be found at the Child Advocacy Center's website.
Get involved. Learn more. The future well being of a child may be at stake. |
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What We Do
The primary mission of the Child Advocacy Center is to mobilize effective collaborative community responses to child abuse. The CAC provides a safe and child-friendly place where 19 community agencies come together to interview, investigate and provide support for abused children. During 2009, our center served 483 children and their families and, by our coordinating efforts, saved the community more than $600,000.
2010 Board of Directors and Staff
Board of Directors
Rosemary Zimmerman, Chairperson
The Honorable Elizabeth Keever, Vice Chairperson
Horace K. Thompson, Treasurer
Beth Hall, J.D., Secretary
Kenneth Barefoot
Neil Bergman
Linda Braswell
Ron Buryk
Marcus Cox
Marge Dederick
The Honorable Laura A. Devan
Kensley Edge
Tim Edwards, J.D.
Claire Hill, J.D.
Debbie Jenkins
Lucy Jones
Bradley J. Loase
Howard Loughlin, M.D.
Michael Nagowski
Angela Neal
Taylor Stephenson
Kevin Thompkins
Wendy Vonnegut, Esq.
Billy West, J.D.
Carolyn Zahran
Staff
Roberta Humphries, Executive Director
Jackie Davis, Finance Manager, MDT Facilitator
Pamela Hines, Victim/Family Advocate
Faith Boehmer, Volunteer Coordinator
Jan Rogers, Forensic Interviewer
Kelly Blake, Program Assistant | |
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