- 541-734-KIDS (5437)
- Report Abuse
We hope that you’re enjoying a wonderful summer, staying cool amid the rising temperatures. As the sun shines brightly, we’re reminded that while seasons change, our mission remains steadfast. Even though it is summer, our work doesn’t stop. We have been hard at work providing essential services to children and families in our community.
In this edition of our newsletter, we are excited to share several important updates and highlights:
Update from the Executive Director: Hear directly from our Executive Director about the latest developments and future plans for the Children’s Advocacy Center.
CAC Board of Directors Spotlight: Get to know the dedicated individuals who steer our organization towards success.
PSANE Program Expansion to Three Rivers Medical Center: Learn about the expansion of our Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (PSANE) program to Three Rivers Medical Center, increasing our reach and impact.
Impact Data Update: Review our comprehensive data on the services provided and the impact made during the fiscal year from July 2023 to June 2024.
Upcoming Trainings: Discover the training opportunities available, including our upcoming Darkness to Light session.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission. Together, we are making a significant difference in the lives of children and families in Jackson County. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and stay tuned for more exciting updates!
"Be the change you want to see!"
Dear Community Members,
As the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County, I am able to witness a lot of really amazing and generous acts. It is these acts of generosity that help remind me of the infinite good that exists in this world when it is really easy to see the overwhelming darkness.
When we think about child abuse, it is easy to get lost in the overwhelming darkness but there are so many remarkable stories of regular people trying to shine light to chase away the shadows. In June, it was my honor to accept a Community 101 grant from St Marys High School. This grant will help to provide evidence-based trauma assessment to children and youth who have experienced abuse in our community. It was amazing to sit in a room with these students who took careful consideration of the applications they received and to watch as they award them to organizations that are helping those most vulnerable citizens in our community. I am quite sure my heart grew while sitting in that room watching their excitement as they awarded their grants. Our youth are working hard to create a better tomorrow for our community. Thank you, St. Mary’s. We are proud to partner with you to help bring healing and recovery to the youth in our community who experience child abuse.
Another bright shining light was created by Medford Food CoOp. Thank you for your fundraising on our behalf during May! We were so grateful to have had the opportunity to set up an information table and to have the opportunity to share with your customers about the services provided by the CAC to youth in our community. We are appreciative of the generous investment you and your customers made to provide healing interventions to children hurting in our community.
Child abuse is a community problem that demands a community response! Thank you St. Marys and Medford Food CoOp for being part of the response in Jackson County!
As we move into the new fiscal year at the end of June, we have many exciting things to look forward to at the CAC of Jackson County. We will be undergoing a process to create a new strategic plan for the next five to ten years. This planning process will help to identify our next area of growth and program expansion. We are excited to enhance the services that we provide to youth who have experienced the trauma of abuse and their non-offending caregivers.
Part of our expansion will be planning for the expansion of our campus. In May of 2022, we purchased a building adjacent to our campus. In May of 2023, we demolished that building. Now, there is a clean slate waiting for a beautiful new expansion to better serve our community. Stay tuned! There will be more to come on this expansion in the coming months!
Do you feel passionate about helping children to heal after experiencing abuse? Do you want to join the team at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County? We have an opening for a therapist who would be working with youth who have experienced abuse. If you are interested, please contact Rebekah Smith at 541-734-5437. If you are interested in volunteering at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County, please contact Azalea Lusch, our Outreach and Communications Manager at 541-734-5437 or alusch@cacjc.org
In gratitude,
We are excited to announce an opening for a Child Trauma Therapist at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County (CACJC). As a cornerstone of our mission, we are committed to fostering a culture of civility, respect, and inclusivity.
The Child Trauma Therapist will provide mental health clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for children who have experienced abuse, as well as support for their non-offending families. This role involves participation in Children’s Advocacy Center training and collaboration with other agencies responding to child abuse reports.
The Children’s Advocacy Center is proud to provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families affected by trauma and abuse, we encourage you to apply.
We are thrilled to spotlight Laura Horton, our Past President of the Board of Directors. Laura is married and has three adult daughters, two grandchildren, and another grandchild on the way in October. Since 2005, she has been a full-time real estate broker with Windermere Van Fleet & Associates, following her role as an Administrative Assistant at the Children’s Advocacy Center from 1998 to 2005.
Laura has been a dedicated Board member since 2010, continually working to support the children and families of Jackson County and uphold the mission of the Children’s Advocacy Center. In addition to her board duties, Laura co-chairs our Winter Gala. She is known for her hard work, thoughtfulness, and generosity. For 16 years, she has served the Storytelling Guild and Children’s Festival in various roles, including Treasurer, Publicity, Social Events, and Gatehouse. This year, Laura is the Children’s Festival Queen, and she still makes a fantastic Cat in the Hat for Bookwalk!
Thank you, Laura, for your unwavering dedication and incredible contributions to our community. We are so grateful for your continued support and leadership.
We are proud to introduce Kirsten Arreguin, a valued board member at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County since 2013. Kirsten’s unwavering dedication to child welfare and compassionate approach have been instrumental in furthering our mission. She serves as our Board Secretary and brings nonprofit leadership experience to our Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
By day, Kirsten serves as a Recruitment Coordinator at Jackson County Fire District 3 in Medford, Oregon, playing a crucial role in ensuring a strong and efficient workforce for the Fire District. Her advocacy work and strong community ties have been invaluable to the CACJC. She actively participates in fundraising events, helping to secure vital resources that support our programs and services.
In addition to her board duties, Kirsten and her family are dedicated community volunteers and operate a successful photography business. They generously provide free photo services for our events, showcasing their commitment to supporting the CACJC.
We are incredibly grateful for Kirsten’s passion, tireless advocacy, and continuous support. Thank you, Kirsten, for being a beacon of hope and a champion for children’s advocacy.
Stay tuned for more inspiring spotlight stories from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County!
The Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (PSANE) Program officially expanded coverage to Asante Three Rivers Medical Center (ATRMC) in Grants Pass, OR on June 1, 2024. Our program serves children under the age of 15 who have experienced acute sexual abuse and require an urgent medical and forensic evaluation. We worked closely with the physicians and staff leaders at ATRMC along with the Josephine County Children’s Advocacy Center and Multidisciplinary Team to make this a reality. For patients who receive these necessary after hours services ATRMC, our team will coordinate closely with the Josephine County CAC so the patient receives a trauma-informed comprehensive evaluation and ongoing services close to home. We are proud of this collaboration and making our PSANE program more accessible by covering a larger region in Southern Oregon.
At the Children’s Advocacy Center, our primary mission is to provide a safe, supportive environment for children who have experienced abuse or trauma. By offering comprehensive services, we aim to reduce their (Adverse Childhood Experiences) ACES scores and help them heal. Research has shown that reducing ACES scores can lead to better long-term health, educational, and social outcomes, effectively stopping the cycle of trauma.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County is dedicated to reducing the impact of ACEs and fostering resilience in children and families. Through our comprehensive services, we strive to break the cycle of trauma and create a brighter, healthier future for the children in our community.
In the past fiscal year, we provided services to approximately 636 children, delivering over 5,000 individual services to these children and their non-offending caregivers. These services are crucial in supporting the healing process.
Join us for engaging presentations, interactive workshops, and informative seminars led by experts in the field of child protection. Check out our calendar of events to find out when and where you can participate in our next training opportunity.
Location: Children’s Advocacy Center
816 W 10th Street
Medford, OR 97501
Date and time: Wed, August 21st, 2024, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Children’s Advocacy Center
816 W 10th Street
Medford, OR 97501
Date and time: Wed, September 18th, 2024, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Children’s Advocacy Center
816 W 10th Street
Medford, OR 97501
Date and time: Wed, October 16th, 2024, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
We encourage you to share this newsletter with your friends, family, and colleagues to help spread the word about our mission and the positive impact we are making together. By sharing our updates and achievements, you can help us reach more people who might want to join us in our efforts to create a safer, healthier, and more supportive environment for the children of Jackson County.
Thank you for being a part of our community and for your unwavering support. Together, we can continue to make a difference.
