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NCA Leadership Conference
Washington, DC

The CACI staff was thrilled to be in Washington DC, June 10th - 13th, for the 2018 National Children's Alliance Leadership Conference!

It was a great learning experience hearing new research and best practices on serving child victims of abuse. 
CACI Executive Director, Kim Mangiaracino, speaks on behalf of Illinois CACs, with Senator Dick Durbin
Senator Dick Durbin took time to pose for a picture after meeting with CACI staff, Illinois CAC Directors & staff
CACI Staff (left to right) Jean Garner, Michelle Hammitt, Cara Vock, Kim Mangiaracino & Mike Burns
Senator Duckworth was on maternity leave, but we were happy to meet with her legislative aide
Vice President Joe Biden and his family accepted the Champion for Children Award on behalf of his late son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Beau's legacy of support for CACs and protecting children in Delaware echoed his father's powerful advocacy for women and children in Washington, where the elder Biden authored or sponsored both the Victims of Child Abuse Act and the Violence Against Women Act.

“Even when I wrote this legislation [the Victims of Child Abuse Act], I couldn’t have imagined it would be so big," Biden told the crowd of hundreds of CAC leaders. "I’m so proud to be associated with you.”

Check out our Facebook post from June 12th to watch.
The CACI Council meeting was held on June 1st at Scheels in Springfield.
The Council, which is made up of CACI staff and Illinois CAC directors, meet 4 times annually.

If you need help finding the CAC in your area, click here and we will get the information to you.

There are some amazing people - doing some amazing work - for all of our Illinois children!
Tentative Site Visit Schedule FY19 July through January, 2019
 
McHenry County - Tuesday July 10
Knox County - Thursday July 12, 
Macon County - Monday July 23
UCAN - Thursday, August 9
Madison County - Thursday, August 9
LaSalle County - Tuesday, August 28
DeKalb Co - Tuesday August 28
April House - Tuesday September 18
Braveheart - Tuesday September 18
Perry Jackson - Thursday September 27
Two Rivers - Thursday September 27
Rock Island - Tuesday October 16
Tyler’s Justice - Tuesday October 16
Sangamon Co - Monday, October 29 - 8 am
Champaign Co - Monday October 29
LaRabida - Tuesday, November 6
Kane County - Tuesday November 13
Franklin Williamson - Thursday, November 15
Shining Star - Thursday, November 29
McLean County - Wednesday, December 5
Child Network - Thursday, December 13
St. Clair Co – Thursday, January 17
Tazewell County - Tuesday, January 22
Before taking on his present position, Todd w orked
  • for 34 years for an Area Agency on Aging
  • for Adult Protective Services
  • in Grant development and administration

He is a Certified APS Caseworker, Caseworker Supervisor and has BS Degrees from HLGU – Missouri Baptist University. Todd also has built 7 buildings for senior housing!


WE ASKED...TODD ANSWERED!
CACI: What was your very first job?​

TODD: W orked at McDonalds – learned that there is always work to be done

CACI: What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard? 

TODD: From my economics professor – “ Chance favors the prepared person ”

CACI: Do you collect anything? 

TODD : Dog pictures for my office – they teach us how we need to be for our clients and each other.

CACI: ​Describe your team in 10 words or less. 

TODD: We have a “can do” environment

CACI: If you could pick up a new skill in an instant what would it be?

TODD: Patience – is that skill? CACI: In the opinion of this person, YES!

CACI: Who had the most influence on you growing up? 

TODD: My maternal Grandfather – Oliver Holt

CACI: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

TODD: BBQ Ribs !!!

CACI: What soothes your spirit when you are unhappy or in a bad mood?

TODD: My dogs

CACI: If you could be on any TV game show, which one would it be?

TODD: J

CACI: Ask your staff to finish this sentence:  "If I had to describe Todd in one word, that word would be ____"

TODD: TENACIOUS
A great day of training at  Starved Rock State Park  was held on June 20th! Kim Madden, Forensic Interview Specialist, from National Children’s Advocacy Center’s presented on Interviewing Preschoolers and Children with Differing Abilities.

The same training was held the next day in Effingham.
The Silent Epidemic: Child Sexual Abuse
Nearly 42 million people are living with a history of sexual abuse during childhood.
By  Elaine Cox, M.D. , Contributor June 1, 2018, at 6:00 a.m.
The Lake County CAC/MDT trainingwas held May 24th and 25th.

The first day of training was for CAC staff and the second day for the entire MDT. The MDT presentations cover the CAC process, Forensic Interviewing Overview, Corroborating the interview and Case Review. 

If you would like a customized training, please contact me for information.
MRCAC is always keeping CACI informed through


If you are not already receiving their information,
today is the day to fix that!!

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
CONTACT GINGER FOR MORE INFO
Ginger L. Meyer, MSW, LCSW 
Licensed Clinical Social Worker 
Phone 618.833.6488 
Children's Medical and Mental Health Resource Network 
SIU School of Medicine 
PO Box 179 
Anna, IL 62906 
Raffle tickets for this ADORABLE playhouse will be at the can be purchased online at childnetwork.org .
(Just click on the Donate Today button)
108 E. Wood St. Hillsboro
Progress continues at UCAN's Child Advocacy Center in Hillsboro!

We hope to have it operational in July!
Thanks to Union 270 Carpenters
Regularly April House is visited by Brinkley (Sterling Police Dept Comfort Dog) to provide emotional support to the children and families who come for a forensic interview.

Brinkley is a golden retriever who, if available, comes to April House and plays with and comforts children and families. Her handler is Tekla.

Brinkley has her own facebook page and you can follow her by clicking below!
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, All Our Children’s Advocacy Center was the recipient of a new reading nook area for our waiting room. The donation included a custom build toy box with toys, bookshelf with lots of great books and window seat. Children now have a beautiful area to play and read while at AOCAC.

Danielle Butts, Executive Director
READING NOOK RECIPIENT
2018 Champions for Children Walk - Huge Success
Over 230 people came out to participate and support Shining Star CAC and the children in our community.
We are hiring a new full-time Counselor position. Click the "we are hiring' button above for a copy of the job description.
Another Shining example of leadership
DIXON – When children have been hurt in unspeakable ways, you want to be assured that the people caring for them have compassion and experience, in equal measure.

In that regard, Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center has been fortunate.

Shelly Brantley, executive director of the center for 6 years, is stepping down.

Your support of our services will truly benefit the
39 Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) throughout the state by training and working with MDT members.

Children’s Advocacy Centers provide a bright light in a part of our society that is often dark and depressing. Let’s work together to make sure that we reflect this light to others and continue to challenge ourselves and others to help child victims of abuse become thriving survivors.

The 11,000 children that CACs served were trained by our office in forensic interviewing and advocacy, as well as ongoing support to the MDT members.

Your one-time gift or monthly pledge is a charitable donation that is deductible.