THE ADVOCATE The newsletter of Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center

Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center offers a safe, child-friendly environment to children victimized by abuse or neglect as it carries out the mission to provide restoration and justice in their lives.

1st

Quarter

Jana Butterfly Bridge CAC

The vision of Butterfly Bridge Children’s

Advocacy Center is that every abused child in

Chilton County will receive the services,

advocacy, and support needed to move

beyond the abuse to a life full of possibilities.

1st QUARTER STATISTICS

FORENSIC INTERVIEWS

28 children and adolescents received forensic interviews

Minimizing the number of times a child must tell their story of trauma is fundamental to the CAC’s

mission. Highly training CAC forensic interviewers conduct a non-leading, fact finding interview at the

beginning of the investigative process in order to minimize the number of times a child has to tell their

traumatic story of abuse or neglect. The interviews are recorded to preserve the child’s statement, while

law enforcement and the Department of Human Resources watch the outcry behind secure doors, in

hopes that the child will have to tell their story once and once only.

CLINICAL SERVICES

61 individual counseling sessions were provided to children and

adolescents

The ultimate goal of the CAC therapist and interns is simple, to help child victims and their non-offending

family members heal from trauma. Through highly individualized and specialized therapeutic

counseling, our therapist and interns strive to restore emotional functioning and to ensure a positive and

productive adulthood. All of our services are offered at no charge, as long as the family needs them.

Butterfly Bridge also serves as an accredited training site for graduate clinical internships from

surrounding universities. During the first quarter, 2 interns provided many hours of counseling and

support to our clients.

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM

COORDINATION

3 MDT Meetings were coordinated with 94 cases reviewed

The goal of the CAC is to provide each child suffering from abuse or neglect in Chilton County with all of

the services and trained professionals they may need in order to heal from their trauma. Monthly the

professionals working the cases, including DHR, law enforcement, and the District Attorney’s Office meet

to make certain every child receives appropriate services. These case staffings help to track each case’s

progression from initial intake through trial proceedings, ensuring no client’s needs go unmet.

ADVOCACY SERVICES

63 advocacy services were provided

The advocacy services are provided throughout the life of the case in the criminal justice system. An

advocate meets with the parent/caregiver at the time of the child’s forensic interview, makes referrals to

other needed services at the CAC or at other community agencies, does extensive follow-up throughout

the following year after the initial forensic interview, prepares children for court proceedings, and

accompanies the children to all court proceedings.

246

Services

Below are

RURAL AREAS AND INTERFAMILIAL ABUSE Below are statistics from the Child Advocacy Center records (Chilton County) over the past five years in

regards to the percentage of children and adolescents who received services at the center who reported

having been abused by a family member:

FY 09/10 – 62.7%

FY 10/11 – 55%

FY 11/12 – 57.7%

FY 12/13 – 57.2%

FY 13/14 – 68.9% According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25% of Americans live in rural areas. However, services for victims are primarily concentrated in urban and suburban areas. As a result, in many parts of the nation it is not unusual for victims to drive several hours in order to obtain victim services. Unique aspects of rural life, such as distance from cities and towns, the extremely close-knit nature of rural communities, scarcity of employment and educational opportunities, and delayed police and medical response times make it difficult for victims to report the abuse and seek services. While the number of children who have been physically or sexually abused is higher in urban areas, the child abuse rate is higher in rural areas.

If child abuse victims do not have access to the intervention services they need, their lives can be affected in many ways which comes with a great cost to society. The long term effects of untreated abuse include impaired emotional and social development, higher risk of suicide, intravenous drug addition, alcoholism, teen pregnancy, prostitution and domestic violence. This is why we are so appreciative of our donors!!! The children have services right here in Chilton County!!

1st Quarter Financial Donors (October 2014-December 2014)

Mrs. Helen Blackmon Mrs. Lucinda Champion Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Cobb Mr. and Mrs. David Conlee Mr. and Mrs. Larry Easterling Mrs. Ginger Head Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson Mr. and Mrs. J. Sam Johnson Ms. Brandi Lawrence Mr. William Lockhart Mr. and Mrs. Wayne McKinnon Mrs. Elizabeth Moore Ms. Maude Moore Mr. and Mrs. Richard Moore Mr. and Mrs. James Parnell Mr. Leo Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Tom Powers Mr. and Mrs. Erric Price Mr. and Mrs. Rick Randolph

Mr. and Mrs. CJ Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Gary Tate Ms. Carla White Ms. Willie Mae White Mr. and Mrs. Steve Wilson Businesses: Ball, Ball, Matthews, and Novak, P.A. Central Alabama Electric Cooperative Giles Cooling & Heating Modern Solutions LLC Whispering Pines/Mr. Bucky Berrey Williams Transco Churches: Clanton Church of Christ United Methodist Women Municipalities/County: City of Clanton Chilton County Commission Town of Maplesville

Honorary Donations:

H.S. Bialas in honor of Mr. Leo Phillips Mrs. Sue McKinney in honor of Mr. Leo Phillips

Mrs. Gwen Davis in honor of Mr. Leo Phillips Mrs. Joyce Vaughn in honor of Mr. Leo Phillips

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Zuelzke, Jr. in honor of Mrs. Ethel Dellaquilla, Mrs. Debe Henry, and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond McCaffrey, Mr.

and Mrs. Fletcher Yeilding, and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Myrick Mr. and Mrs. Scott Zuelzke in honor of their parents and grandparents

Memorial Donations:

Mr. Cary Evans in memory of James Carden Ms. Dorothy Causey in memory of Kenneth R. McRae

Ms. Sherry Crowder in memory of James Carden Ms. Beverly Harless in memory of James Carden

Mrs. Janet Sammons in memory of Jeff Sammons Mrs. Helen Threlkeld in memory of Donald Threlkeld

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Zuelzke, Jr. in memory of Mr. Jimmy Dellaquilla and Mr. Ted Henry

THANKS TO OUR IN-KIND DONORS!

Thorsby First Baptist WMU Group – Teddy Bears Clanton Church of Christ – supplies

Study Club - supplies Ms. Toni Miller – games

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF MEMBER

LaChandra Brooks-Prim

LaChandra graduated from Troy University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In January 2012, she began working on a Master of Science degree in Counseling at Troy University before transferring to Faulkner University. LaChandra acquired an internship with Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center in February 2014 while working as an adjunct instructor at Fortis College. Later, in the summer of 2014, she began interning with Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center in Montgomery, Alabama. She graduated and officially obtained her Master’s Degree in December 2014. LaChandra was hired at Butterfly Bridge CAC in November 2014 as a full-time therapist and family advocate. She has specialized training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She and her husband, Kendrick, are both natives of Foley, Alabama and moved to Montgomery, Alabama in 2005 with their two daughters, Kennedy and Cameron. LaChandra loves spending time with her family, watching college football, shopping, and flower planting.

A few words from our 1st Quarter Graduate Intern

Malia Robinson “I have been involved with Butterfly Bridge for a few years now and it has been an amazing experience! I feel as though my journey to Butterfly Bridge all started when I was in high school and witnessed Jana testifying about her experience interviewing one of the children who came to the Child Advocacy Center. I never knew there were people out there doing that kind of work and helping kids feel safe enough to tell the most traumatic stories they will ever have to tell. I knew it took very special people to do that and I wanted to be a part of those children’s lives. I chose to get a Master’s in Counseling and when I finally got to the point of needing an internship site, I knew exactly where I wanted to be. Working with Jana, Sheila, and Lachandra at Butterfly Bridge, I have learned so many great things to help me as a counselor and so much more about myself. They are such hard workers and great advocates for the children right here in my own community and I have loved being able to be a part of their team. Thank you to all of the people who help BBCAC provide the much needed services to children and families in our community, especially our local law enforcement, the Department of Human Resources, volunteers, and donors. Without that team, it would not be possible to provide the best support to the children. My internship with Butterfly Bridge has been rewarding and heartbreaking all at the same time. It is heartbreaking that so many children go through unthinkable things right here in our community, but it is so rewarding to build lasting relationships and see the relief and growth in the children who are able to come to a safe place, tell their story, and be successful in their lives.”

“Butterfly Bridge

gave me back my

childhood and

life! ~teenage client at her last therapy session

WAYS TO GIVE

Outright Gifts—It’s as easy as writing a check or giving online!

Matching Gifts—Double your giving! Contact your human resources department for information

regarding your company’s matching charitable gift policy.

Monthly Giving—If you are interested in making a long-term commitment to the CAC or would like to

spread out payments over a period of time, we can help you get that set up through a recurring gift

charged to your credit or debit card.

Honorarium and Memorial Gifts—Choose an alternative gift option for birthdays, holidays, memorials

and many other occasions. Make a donation in honor of or in memory of someone to the CAC. We will

send a card notifying either the honoree or the deceased person’s family that a gift was made in their

honor.

Leave a Legacy—Include the CAC in your will.

Corporate Sponsorships—Sponsor our fundraising events with a donation from your business.

Churches For Children—Adopt the CAC as a local mission you will support on a yearly basis.

For more information on any of the WAYS TO GIVE, call 755-4205 or email jzuelzke@butterflybridgecac.org.

MAKE YOUR DONATION SECURELY ONLINE: WWW.BUTTERFLYBRIDGECAC.ORG

OR MAIL TO:

BBCAC

P.O. Box 588

Clanton, AL 35046

Staff

LaChandra Brooks-Prim – Therapist/Advocate Jana Conlee Zuelzke – Executive Director/Child Forensic Interview Specialist

Contract Personnel: Erin Ward – Therapist/Forensic Interviewer

Board of Directors

Anne Taddicken President Lucinda Champion Vice-president Leo Phillips Treasurer Charity Battles Secretary

Awlahjaday Agee Patrick Aman Ann Glasscock Ginger Head Gary Tate Dan Velasquez Carla White

Community Partners

Children’s of Alabama (CHIPS Clinic) Chilton County DHR

Chilton County DA’s Office Chilton County Sheriff’s Office

Clanton Police Department Jemison Police Department

Maplesville Police Department Thorsby Police Department