HOOPS FOR HOPE Over 300 people attended the Kids First guests were quite surprised when Holly, Child Advocacy Center Dinner & Auction on upon finishing her speech, told everyone May 7th at Rothchilds Conference Center. how she enjoys writing poetry in her free Kids First celebrated our twelfth year of time and had written ‘a little something’ for providing free services to the most severely this occasion. Here are a few lines from abused children in our communities. This is her poem titled, Free from Fear: the CAC’s largest annual fundraiser and … I just want your love, I want to live, and I helps to raise dollars needed to continue want to learn how to grow, serving victims of child abuse, their non- It is through your love that all of this I will offending caregivers, and identify other come to know. children who have yet to disclose their So it is through hope that I get strength, abuse scenarios. This year’s theme, Hoops courage, and confidence, for Hope, was inspired by our guest speak- Building a trust so I no longer will stay NEWS er, Holly Warlick, Head Basketball Coach of anonymous. the University of TN’s Lady Vols. Holly It will help me heal, give me someone who will listen, spoke with such passion with regards to Please I need your help; I need your help now, her players and for abused children every- to free me from this prison. where. Another special guest, Mickey _____________________________ Dearstone, “Voice of the Lady Vols”, This year’s event allowed us to exceed our introduced Holly after entertaining all of us goal of over $50,000 with his wonderful sense of humor. The SEPTEMBER 2014 OF THE ninTH Judicial district of TN Top left: Catherine Hartley, keeper of ‘Smokey’, the stand in blue tick coonhound for the real UT mascot. Below: Chris Evans-Longmire, Holly Warlick, Cheryl Ottaviano- CAC Board President, Mickey Dearstone, and Dr. Becky Clark, long time friend of the CAC and former teammate of Holly’s. KIDS FIRST Child Advocacy Center Kids First Chris Evans-Longmire Executive Director [email protected] Child Advocacy Center of the Ninth Judicial District of Tennessee, Inc. Physical Address: 887 Highway 70 W Mailing Address: PO Box 928 Lenoir City, TN 37771 PHONE (865) 986-1505 FAX (865) 986-1547 WWW.KIDSFIRSTTN.ORG Our Mission: to heal the pain of child abuse A private, non-profit agency serving severely abused children between the ages of 3 to 17 in the counties of Loudon, Morgan, Meigs and Roane CAC STAFF Heather Cupp, LMSW Therapist, Outreach Coordinator [email protected] Denise Dubrule Administrative Assistant [email protected] Darcy Navratil Family Advocate [email protected] Kari Anna Watkins Forensic Interviewer [email protected] Tasha Watson, LMSW Victim Services Specialist [email protected] Mona Williams-Hayes, Ph.D., LCSW Clinical Director [email protected] Joyce Peterson Bookkeeper [email protected] Millie Bruner, RN Volunteer Nurse Gail Clift, CPNP Forensic Nurse Ginger Barthel, RN Volunteer Nurse CAC Board of Directors Cheryl Ottaviano, President Virginia Ranck, 1st V.P. Christine Evans-Longmire, E.D. John A. Dempsey, Jr., 2nd V.P. Joan Panter Beth Sams Cortney Dugger Millie Bruner, Secretary Karen Keirstead, Treasurer Dan Tipton Marc Lighter Shari Fassett THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IS AN ADULT RESPONSIBILITY It is not the responsibility of children to protect themselves from child sexual abuse. Adults throughout the United States and the world have a moral obligation to protect children. This means protecting children before protecting an institution or family member. Imagine how difficult it is for a child to say “no” to a parent, a coach, a teacher, or clergy. Even the adults we trust to protect children can’t always be trusted. These are adults who have the opportunity to “groom” children with affection and attention, making it difficult for children to identify certain behaviors as abuse. And they know that children have been Stewards of Children taught to “mind” them. Those who sexually abuse children are drawn to settings where they Stewards of Children is an evidence-informed can gain easy access to children, such as sports leagues, faith centers, clubs, and prevention solution that increases knowledge, schools. Parents can play an important role in prevention by insisting that the improves attitudes, and changes child protective organizations that serve their children have a “state of the art” policy that behaviors. It offers practical prevention training includes: with a conversational, real-world approach. WHY IS THIS PROGRAM DIFFERENT? Stewards of * Careful selection and screening of new hires. Insist on screenings that Children uses real people and real stories to show include criminal background checks, personal interviews and professional and you how to protect children. You’ll meet survivors personal recommendations or references for all adults who serve children. who lived through child sexual abuse, experienced * Policy that eliminates one-adult/one-child situations in all settings. its immediate and long-term effects, and ultimately The policy should ensure that all activities can be observed or interrupted. Make were able to find healing. You’ll meet experts who sure the organization has clear policies about outside contact with children work with children and families, and confront beyond the programs and activities they provide, such as babysitting. More than abuse on a daily basis. Many of these survivors and 80% of sexual abuse cases occur in one-adult/one-child situations experts are also parents, themselves. * Clear “rules” for older youth who have responsibility for the care of WHY DOES IT APPLY TO ME? Child sexual abuse children. Talk with program administrators about the supervision of older youth. is likely the most prevalent health problem children face, with the most serious array of consequences. Nearly 40% of child abuse victims are abused by older or larger children. In fact, 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse * Training for staff and volunteers on how to prevent, recognize and before their 18th birthday. This means that wheth- react responsibly to child sexual abuse. What prevention strategies does your er you work with youth, are a parent, or are simply organization have in place to protect children/youth from the possibility of a member of a community, it is highly likely that abuse? someone you know and care for has experienced , * Policies around dealing with suspicious situations and reports of or is currently experiencing, child sexual abuse. It’s abuse. going to happen whether you are prepared to deal Incredibly, while 92% of Americans believe child sexual abuse is a major with it or not—unless you stop it from happening. problem, only 7% of Americans believe institutions are appropriately addressing And the good news is, it can be stopped. Stewards of Children training is presented the issue. This enormous disconnect shows that Americans are ready to make a to families, communities, recreation facilities, faith change—our nation is ready to confront this issue. centers, educational institutions, and a wide variety Organizations should willingly discuss and share with you their policies of other youth serving organizations to create safer and be open to input. If they are not, reconsider whether they are the right environments for children. One person can create organization for your child. Find a way to tell the adults who care for children change in a community and together, a community that you and the child are educated about child abuse. Be that direct. can create new cultural norms that nurture children and protect them from child sexual abuse. “When I signed up for this seminar, I really had no idea what to expect. I figured that it would be a challenging day for me, emotionally, because child sexual abuse is usually difficult to talk about. I was actually enlightened and inspired.” Southern Oregon University Student Please call 865-986-1505 to learn more about Stewards of Children or to schedule a training Chris Evans-Longmire, Authorized Facilitator of “Stewards of Children” for the Ninth Judicial District Ambler Brown, East Tennessee Prevention Specialist and Authorized Facilitator for “Stewards of Children” Back to School Bash Tuesday, August 5, 2014 This was our 10th year celebrating the beginning of school with some friends at the Center. We had a total of 43 children and adults attend. Families came to enjoy pizza from Papa Johns and some of our volunteers baked cookies and cupcakes for dessert. The entertainment for the party was a Photo Booth led by our in house photographer, Ambler Brown. We had some disguises, wigs, glasses and dress up items for the children to have fun with while getting their picture taken. Kari Anna Watkins, Forensic Interviewer, had a blast with face painting! Due to the generosity and continued support from local businesses and our community neighbors we were able to provide 23 clients with a brand new colorful backpack stuffed with their required school supplies for the new school year. Their siblings received a gift bag with some school supplies or pre-school needs. We sincerely appreciate your generous support for our 10th Annual Back to School Bash: Kiwanis Club of Roane County Mr. Nick Schick Harriman Lions Club Family Members of the Air Force Sergeants Food City, Lenoir City, Mr. Michael Dion Mr. Randy McFarland, State Farm Insurance Association, Chapter 479 Diana Gahrs Ms. Meredith Willson, Citizen’s National Bank Kingston Lions Club Dianne Hamrick Ron and Ginny Ranck Ten Mile United Methodist Church Gary and Joyce Underwood Farrell and Millie Bruner Lenoir City Ford, Mr. Jim Allen Parson’s & Wright, CPA’s, Mr. Joe Savage Cheryl Ottaviano ‘Twas the Night Before School Started The ladies of Delta Kappa Gamma Nu Chapter in Roane County Author unknown delivered a huge donation of fleece throws hand crafted by members of the group.