The Chamber Breakfast for the month of April was hosted by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County – in conjunction with the month being recognized as Child Abuse Awareness Month.

A declaration declaring April as such, was signed during the breakfast meeting by Sand Rock Mayor Pro-Tem Greg Oliver, Probate Judge Tim Burgess, Mayor of Centre Mark Mansfield and Gaylesville Mayor Pro-Tem Daniel Steele.

The CAC assists Law Enforcement and the Department of Human Resources (DHR) by conducting specialized, and unique, investigative interviews of children suspected of being victims of abuse; the goal of such forensic interviews is to gather any pertinent information from children in a neutral, non-leading, developmentally sensitive – and legally defensible manner.  Information obtained from that interview is shared with the investigative members of the case.  This collaborative effort limits the number of interviews that the child must endure, ensuring that all members of the investigative team receive the same information.

The Advocacy Center recently announced the winners in their very first “Art Contest” – they included:  First Place – Autumn Roberts / Second Place – Mollie Hunter / Third Place – MaKenlee Young / and Honorable Mention went to Karis Knowles.

The entries will on display in the Advocacy Center Office for a full year.

Staff and Management of the Center would like to thank judges Bryan Dorsett of the Alabama Teachers Credit Union, Shannon Rollins with LilyPad Florist, and Candice Crabtree with 1st Southern State Bank for taking the time to visit the CAC – and select the winners.  Each business also kindly decided to donate something special for all of the participants for their hard work.

For more information on the Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County, simply call (256) 927-2111.

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Cherokee County

​(Information and photos provided by Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce and Children’s Advocacy Center)