It is so very fitting that the first edition of our state chapter newsletter gets to bring you a great deal of exciting news. I have spent two years reviewing the chapters needs, working with the membership and learning each of your needs, and devising both a strategic plan as well as a fiscal sustainability plan for the chapter and for the critical work each of you do everyday. Many things have been happening behind the scenes that I think you will all be very excited to learn of.
In review the state chapter office set its first priority to get your state funding re-established at the original funding amount, with that goal we hired a lobbying firm who was very successful last year in getting your funding increased, acquiring funding for the chapter office to meet the needs of growth in our state, and to give CACNC and the work each of you do a stronger presence in the General Assembly, to include being recognized on the House floor during last session. The chapter office also heard from the membership that there was a need for a legal consultant for our membership and we worked to secure someone who was willing to volunteer their time to meet your needs. Finally, together in May of last year we met to review our history and to draft a strategic plan for our future.
We began this year with such tremendous momentum from last year. We had record numbers at Lake Junaluska, reaching over 500 individuals. We also recently hosted an event to create annual
legislative awards for both the House and Senate and we awarded our first recipients (Representative Jason Saine and Senator Ralph Hise). In addition, it was such an honor to recognize Rick Glazier with a lifetime career award. The event was well attended by our General Assembly, state partner agencies, and many of you. As we move forward there are several things that I would like to bring to your attention:
1) With all of the recent changes to chapter needs and staff we have decided to close our physical location. The majority of our staff are traveling many days out of the week and we want to ensure that we are being good stewards of our funds by saving funds where we can and using those funds to meet other needs of the state and membership.
2) I have heard from numerous centers with concerns in regards to forensic interviewing that is occurring in the field. I am currently working to address this issue and have had multiple meetings with Mark Everson, Kevin Kelly (state DSS director) and am currently working to schedule with the Sheriffs Association. At this point discussions include the possible creation of best practice first responder training which will help to clarify the difference between first responder interviews and forensic interviews while also allowing those who have immediate response needs to acquire information to make safety plans and feel solid in their decisions. We are also going to be an active participant in state DHHS’s PIP (performance improvement plan) for the state. This conversation includes first responder field interviews, forensic interviews, use of CACs and best practice. I will keep you informed as these talks progress.
3) The chapter office heard the need for growth and development of new centers (in particular in the Eastern part of the state) as well as the request to re-establish the child abuse training in the
east that used to be held at Kitty Hawk. As you know we hired staff that is actively working to address the development of CACs across the state. However, the training was still an unmet need. I have been in discussions for many months now with GCC, NCCASA, NCCADV, NCVAN and NCCAHT. Two weeks ago we were all called to a meeting where we were informed that each of us will be given a grant (that is believed to be recurring) that will not only partial pay for Lake J’s Reflections Symposium but also will pay for the development of a Symposium in the Eastern part of the state. This grant will allow all partners to waive registration for new hires (currently being defined as hired in the last 3 years). Again we will be keeping you posted as this grant develops but it appears that the training in the East will begin in the Spring of 2017. As you can see there are many changes happening, and we are striving daily to listen to and meet each of your centers and MDT’s needs. It is such an exciting time and I am continually honored and humbled to represent each of you every day.
CAC’s News and Happenings
DOVE HOUSE
(Alexander & Iredell Counties)
“An Evening for Dove House”
Saturday, April 30th, 2016
at The Charles Mack Center in Mooresville, NC
DRAGONFLY HOUSE
(Davie, Davidson, & Yadkin Counties):
Dr. Sara Sinal Conference for Child Abuse Professionals:
April 22, 2016 at Davidson County Community College,
Mary Rittling Conference Center
Topics: Roles of MDT Members, Case Dissection, forms of Mental Health Treatment for child abuse victims, and ADD/ADHD vs Trauma Symptoms – when to medicate and when to get trauma therapy. More details to come next month.
LINCOLN COUNTY COALITION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE & CHILD ADVOCACY
(Lincoln Counties) “The Price Is Right”
Saturday, February 20th, 2016
at The James Warren Citizen Center in Lincolnton, NC
TREE HOUSE (Union County):
Crimestoppers of Union County just awarded the Tree House CAC over $14,000 to soundproof the interview room and upgrade our forensic interview equipment. We hope this is a resource that other CACs can tap into in their communities.
Accreditation Standards
The new standards for NCA will go into effect for anyone whose application is submitted after July 1, 2016. The old and new standards can be found on NCA’s website by following:
http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/child-advocacy-center-accreditation-standards. Food for thought:you can access the accreditation bootcamps online through NCA’s members only section; there are numerous resources available to you, broken out by standard, on the CAC Toolkit section of the chapter website; you can make a request to NCA for chapter staff to be present during your site visit for support.
Centers with upcoming site visits include:
Alley’s House
Dove House
Gingerbr
ead House
KARE
Kids First
Tedi Bear
Tree House
Centers with upcoming deadlines for accreditation application submission:
Butterfly House
Cleveland
HAVEN
Pat’s Place
SAFEchild
Terrie Hess House
Vantage Pointe
Upcoming Statewide Training
Please keep an eye on the website as it is updated frequently with available training opportunities.
Upcoming Events include: Child Medical Exam Training Module, RADAR, and NCVAN Victim Service Practitioner Certification
Upcoming Birthdays
We would like to wish a very happy birthday to:
Amy Feath – February 5th
Roberta Humphries – February 5th
Tana Murray – February 5th
Fulton McSwain – February 19th
Terre Bullock – February 20th
Congratulations
We would like to extend a big welcome to our new provisional centers. Please join us in welcoming:
Buncombe County – CAPS, Geoff Sidoli
Henderson County – Mainstay, Andi Craven
Robeson County – Robeson CAC, Juaconda McMillian