Franklin-Williamson "CAC"

This is the MDT Coordinator, Kyllah Glass, with the Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center! Autumn has finally arrived! I am looking forward to some cooler days and the nostalgic months ahead of us as we take time to reflect on what we have learned and experienced so far this year!

In this newsletter, we announce our new Executive Board, talk about what an MDT is, look at upcoming events, congratulate our Executive Director and her husband on their new addition, give a shout out to those who have made recent donations, and share some stats from our latest fiscal year!

Thank you for taking the time to read and stay up to date with what's happening at the FWCAC! We are grateful for you.

The FWCAC would like to congratulate the following members of our Board of Directors on their Executive Board appointments for the new fiscal year! The FWCAC is grateful for their dedication to our Center and their willingness to serve in such important roles:

MDT stands for Multidisciplinary Team. Each member of our MDT team has a specific role when a child discloses abuse. For example, the CAC interviews the child and provides communication to the families throughout the investigative and criminal justice process. DCFS ensures the child is safe in their current environment and that no harm has been done by a caregiver. Law enforcement investigates the alleged crime that took place and is responsible for interviewing additional parties and the alleged perpetrator. Each partner communicates with the team as a whole to ensure we're all on the same page and can effectively serve the children of our comminutes.

The graphic below highlights the various roles of the MDT and how they work together to serve a child's best interest:

This past June, the FWCAC held it's annual MDT protocol review meeting. Our protocol describes the objectives, design, and process of the MDT team. The purpose of this meeting is for each member of the team to take a look at the CAC's protocol and determine if anything needs to be revised to better serve the children and families who visit our center.

This meeting is comprised of one person from each role in the MDT. During this meeting, we are able to hear feedback to understand in what ways we each can improve. We are also able to ensure that we all understand the expectations we have for one another.

Thank you to our MDT members for joining us during this meeting! We appreciate all that you do.

Congratulations to Sarah and Grant as they welcomed their baby girl into the world on June 30th, 2022! Sarah takes on many roles at the CAC, so we believe she is going to enter the role of motherhood with even more grace. Our wish is that they both cherish this time as they create memories with their daughter. We at the Center, are so happy for Sarah and Grant as they take on this journey!

The 7th Annual Harvest Moon Ball is happening on Friday, November 18th. This is an extra special year as the Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center is celebrating 30 years and the Perry-Jackson Child Advocacy Center is celebrating 20 years!

Enjoy great food, music by Honey and Tar, a silent auction, and help support your local advocacy centers.

Tickets are $50 and must be pre-purchased.

Check or Cash: Call us at 618-942-3800 (Franklin- Williamson Child Advocacy Center) or 618-357-2990 (Perry-Jackson Child Advocacy Center).

To pay online using PayPal, Click below!

On November 10th, join the Herrin Chamber of Commerce for a night filled with laughter, friends, good food, and of course -- purse shopping! Tickets are currently on sale.

Tickets are currently on sale and include:

(5) purse drop tickets

(2) signature drink tickets

• Heavy Hors d'oeuvres
• Participate in a live auction
• Option to purchase additional tickets for the purse drop (6/$5.00)

This event will be taking place at the Herrin Civic Center and doors open at 5 p.m.

A portion of proceeds will benefit the Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center! We are grateful to be chosen as their charity again this year and can't wait for this fun Girl's Night Out!

We are currently accepting donations of purses and filler items! For more information or to make a donation please reach out to the Herrin Chamber of Commerce at (618) 942-5163 or the FWCAC at (618) 942-3800.

Thank you to Williamson County for selecting the FWCAC as a recipient of the county’s ARPA grant. Pictured, is our Executive Director, Sarah Anderson, attending a check presentation with Williamson County Commissioners Jim Marlow, Tim Atkisson, and Brent Gentry.

This funding helps ease the hardships many organizations have faced during COVID and the CAC is thankful for the support from our county. Their dedication to helping us achieve our mission means so much to our Center!

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Benton, IL for choosing us as one of the five charities honored at this year's 100th Anniversary Dinner.

Rotary is a humanitarian service organization that brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world.

We are truly grateful for their support as we continue to stand up for the children in our communities. We couldn't do what we do, without you.

Thank you, Herrin Women's Club, for visiting the CAC and presenting us with a donation.

Herrin Woman's Club is a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs which is an international organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

We appreciate your continued support in what we do & are grateful to connect with our community!

When children come to the CAC for their interview, we provide snacks, drinks, send them home with a backpack full of hygiene products, fidget toys, books, and school supplies. And while we run through these products rather quickly, donors who shop our Amazon Wishlist allow us to keep giving.

As we start a new fiscal year, we want to take time to reflect on the previous year. We hope to showcase the importance of our mission here at the CAC. We are grateful to have the opportunity to use our voice for children who may feel as if they are not heard.

During the 2022 fiscal year, the FWCAC...

• Received 179 referrals from DCFS, law enforcement and/or State's Attorney
• Conducted 149 Forensic Interviews
• Out of these 149 Forensic Interviews:
• 130 were sexual abuse investigations
• 15 were physical abuse investigations
• 100% of the children who came to the center were offered free counseling sessions
  

The Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center

is dedicated to serving the best interests of children

who have been sexually or physically abused.

We, at the Center, are their Voice.

WE believe:

All children should be free of abuse and neglect.

All children should have the opportunity

to develop to their fullest potential in

a safe and loving environment.

It is in the best interest of abused children to have

collaboration among agencies

working on their behalf.

It is important to educate the public on the issues

of child abuse and neglect.