Name Change

The Children's Assessment center is changing its name!  We are now the Children's Advocacy Center of Ottawa County.  In the past there has been some confusion about what type of services we provide based on our name.  We believe that our new name more effectively communicates who we are and what we do, and it also reflects our membership within the National Children's Alliance Network. 

5 Year Anniversary and New Facility

On August 5, 2003, The Children's Advocacy Center of Ottawa County will mark five years of service to our community.  In that time we have seen our staff increase, out services expand, our fundraising events grow, and our caseload multiply.  In fact, we are currently in the process of designing a brand new facility to better serve our clients.  Our new location will be on Century Lane, between 16th and 24th Streets.  We are entering the design phase of the project, and we will keep you updated on the process.  GMB Architects-Engineers has generously agreed to donate the architectural and design services for our new building, and Driesenga & Associates has donated engineering services.  We would like to extend a big thank-you to those businesses.

Training

Various members of the CAC team traveled to Huntsville, Alabama for an annual week-long training seminar.  This is a chance for them to interact with team members from other centers all over the country  and increase their skills in the multi-disciplinary approach.  The team members who attended the training are Kathleen Sine (Crisis Interviewer), Lisa McNerney (Crisis Counselor), Det. Bob Tease (Ottawa County Sheriff's Department), Det. Jason Kik (Ottawa County Sheriff's Department), and John Scheuerle (Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office).   

New Hire

The Children's Advocacy Center has hired Sheila Pollock as Development Coordinator.  Sheila comes to us from Tiara Yachts, where she was in the sales department for the last nine years.  She has volunteered for the Center for the last three years, and is very happy to be working for the Center on a permanent basis.  Sheila will be working with Darcy Komejan-Babcock on raising awareness and increasing support for the center.

On a personal note, Sheila would like to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the employees of Tiara Yachts for a wonderful donation to the Center in her name for over $1,000.00.  Thank You!