Each of the  Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Centers has a Mental Health Advocate on staff to help guide victims and their families through the healing process. Meet  Sheri Hundley, Mental Health Advocate at the Pierce Family Center in DeFuniak Springs and Jennifer Clark , Niceville's Mental Health Advocate. 
The Mental Health Advocate is responsible for providing advocacy services to child victims and their families when sexual abuse and/or serious physical abuse have been alleged. When the child victim is brought to the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center (ECCAC,) Jennifer and Sheri are there to meet them. These fabulous ladies have years of experience and are able to guide and support them through their time at ECCAC. They are present when children and families go through forensic interviews and medical exams. They serve to support the victims and their families, answer questions about the investigative process, and suggest treatment options. These advocates are also involved in coordinating intervention services (counseling), identifying any barriers that may prevent the family from receiving services, and advocating for immediate service implementation. Occasionally families can't afford the gas to get these children to treatment, or advocates may find other needs in the home such as not enough beds for everyone, lack of clothing or school supplies. In these cases advocates can help procure these items by reaching out to our donors, or getting the families in contact with other agencies that can supply what they need. The advocate also monitors and maintains the case logistics and tracking of all cases at the ECCAC.

A big thanks to Sheri and Jennifer for what they do for our families!