A Letter from Our Executive Director…

Dear Friends of Children:  

This year has been an exciting time of growth and recognition for the Children’s Advocacy Center. We have seen our mission of prevention, coordination and education reach new heights.  

The year started off with the beginning of “Family Footsteps”, a home visitation program to assist pregnant women and their families. The program has blossomed tremendously in just 9 months and has reached 91 mothers-to-be with important education, information, and support to create the healthiest moms and babies possible. Our child abuse prevention efforts extend beyond this program by providing awareness and education opportunities designed to reach professionals and community members.  This year our programs reached more than 250 individuals.

The multidisciplinary team has maintained its diligence to have an effective and compassionate response to child abuse victims and their families as well as to have an on-going commitment to each other as professionals working together to provide the best services possible. They also continue to persist in reviewing the child abuse cases that are presented each month.  Routinely, the interagency team reviews approximately 11 new cases of child physical and sexual abuse at its monthly case review meetings for a total number of child abuse cases well over 120.

We, as a team, have had many opportunities this year to share our knowledge and ability on how to put together an effective multidisciplinary team by mentoring other communities that are building their own teams.  Lawrence County can be proud of the fact that our team is known as a leader in the coordinated and collaborative efforts fighting child abuse in Pennsylvania and that such a dedicated team of professionals exists in our community. 

I would like to extend a special thank you to those who have made my transition to the Children’s Advocacy Center easier and to those who work endlessly to ensure that abused children receive the caring, compassionate, and effective response needed to help keep them safe.

Sue Ascione
Executive Director