Mission and Goals
The mission of Windham County Safe Place Child Advocacy Center/Southeastern Unit for Special Investigations is to facilitate an integrated, multidisciplinary response to victims of child physical and sexual abuse and victims of adult sexual assault that reduces trauma, promotes prevention and advocacy, and supports healing for all in our community affected by these offenses. In support of this mission, we provide a safe environment for individuals who may have been abused to come to talk with professionals.
Our goals are to:
· Investigate criminal allegations of child and adult sexual assault and severe child physical abuse using specially trained investigators.
· Minimize further trauma to victims by providing a safe place to talk with investigators.
· Refer children and adult victims and non-offending family members to services designed to help them heal.
· Create public awareness of the challenges of child abuse through outreach and education.
Our goals are to:
· Investigate criminal allegations of child and adult sexual assault and severe child physical abuse using specially trained investigators.
· Minimize further trauma to victims by providing a safe place to talk with investigators.
· Refer children and adult victims and non-offending family members to services designed to help them heal.
· Create public awareness of the challenges of child abuse through outreach and education.
History
Windham County Safe Place Child Advocacy Center began as a special investigative unit (Southeastern Unit for Special Investigations) in 2007, and in 2010 the Child Advocacy Center component was added. We are a non-profit organization supported by state and private grants and donations from individuals. YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED! Please visit our "How You Can Help" page for more information.
Our Staff
Alyssa Todd, Executive Director & Forensic Interview Specialist
Det. Erik Johnson, Special Investigator (assigned from Brattleboro Police Department)
Abby Bliss, Administrative Assistant
Det. Erik Johnson, Special Investigator (assigned from Brattleboro Police Department)
Abby Bliss, Administrative Assistant
Board of Directors
Chair: Richard Werner, Dover Police Department, Detective
Vice-Chair: Tracy Kelly-Shriver, Windham County State's Attorney
Treasurer: Lisa DiBernardo, VSECU
Secretary: Tyson Kinney, Vermont State Police, Detective Sergeant
Member: Keith Clark, Windham County Sheriff
Member: Jeanne Walker, Guardian Ad Litum
Member: Wendy Houlihan, Windham Central Supervisory Union, former Superintendent
Member: Sue O'Brien, Department of Children and Families, District Director
Member: Erik Johnson, Brattleboro Police Department
Vice-Chair: Tracy Kelly-Shriver, Windham County State's Attorney
Treasurer: Lisa DiBernardo, VSECU
Secretary: Tyson Kinney, Vermont State Police, Detective Sergeant
Member: Keith Clark, Windham County Sheriff
Member: Jeanne Walker, Guardian Ad Litum
Member: Wendy Houlihan, Windham Central Supervisory Union, former Superintendent
Member: Sue O'Brien, Department of Children and Families, District Director
Member: Erik Johnson, Brattleboro Police Department