April is proclaimed National Child Abuse Prevention Month as well as it was the time that Covington County Child Advocacy Centre (CAC) held their Annual Blue Ribbon Ceremony to bring attention to this crucial issue on April 20, 2014, Thursday.
The Blue Ribbon Ceremony marked the eighth year in which Covington County Child Advocacy Center Covington County Child Advocacy Center is providing services to children in Covington County. The ceremony started with a musical performance led by the Community Hospital Preschool Class. The kids were singing “Give It Your Best” by Jack Hartmann to the delight of all who attended.
District Attorney Walt Merrell, who serves as chairman of the CAC Board of Directors then spoke to the people in attendance.
“As Frederick Douglas once said”It’s much easier to create strong children than it is to fix broken men. Everyone of us…you me, me… all of us are creating strong children in the CAC,” Merrell said.
Merrell also expressed appreciation to the social police officers, social workers counselors, parents and law enforcement officers who were present for their dedication to the children of our community. Merrell spoke about the services offered by the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) members via the CAC that include MDT investigations and the prosecution of claims for abuse. Also, they conduct criminal investigations as well as counseling and child abuse medical examinations.
The CAC also works along with Shon Bentley, the facility dog and Wendell the facility dog to provide assistance for children that come to the center. The aim for the MDT is to conduct thorough investigation into incidents of abuse and to assist in the recovery and healing of the children and families who are served in the CAC.
In 2023 In 2023, the CAC introduced the child’s physical and sexual abuse examination to the list of services offered by the center. Prior to the introduction of this exam the children who needed the test had to go to Birmingham to receive treatment.
“Our Board of Directors has been dedicated to understanding the specific needs of parents and children we work with, and adopting measures to meet these needs. The addition of medical examinations to our programs is the result of this commitment for a long time,” CAC Executive Director Mindy Barton stated.
In addition, to celebrate the activities by CAC, in addition to recognizing the work of CAC, Merrell shared with attendees the plans for a brand new building that will house the CAC at 122 6th Avenue in Andalusia.
Merrell said that the construction work will start soon on the building which was recently bought at the expense of City of Andalusia.
“As we strive to create sturdy children, we are looking at building this house in which we can offer that assistance to them. This house, which served as a school library and later the center of the activity for the whole school, has become now a home which has always produced strong children. Thanks to this community as well as Andalusia’s City of Andalusia it can help to build stronger children,” he said.
The article Child Advocacy Center holds an annual blue ribbon Ceremony was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
