Child Abuse Prevention Month
During the month of April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) and the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment.
During the month of April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) and the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment.
Mrs. Brittany Anderson began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2011. Mrs. Anderson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service and a Child Advocacy Studies Training Certification from Kennesaw State University as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia with a Certificate in Marriage and Family Counseling. Mrs. Anderson conducts forensic interviews with alleged victims of abuse and provides therapy to child victims and families and provides expert testimony in court. Mrs. Anderson has received specialized training in forensic interviews, sexual abuse, trauma, and play therapy. Mrs. Anderson is trained in Alternative for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, AF-CBT with families with high conflict. Additionally, Mrs. Anderson is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, TF-CBT, sand tray therapy, and EMDR. Mrs. Anderson uses a combination of all her training to help children and families affected by abuse on their journey of healing. Mrs. Anderson is a Certified Stewards of Children Darkness to Light Facilitator and provides sexual abuse prevention training to adults throughout the community.
Sarah Welch began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2016. She holds a Master of Human Services specializing in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice degree from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelor of Science Human Services specializing in Case Management degree from Kennesaw State University, and an Associate of Science Business Administration degree from Georgia Highlands College. Mrs. Welch is a Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP). As Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Mrs. Welch oversees the advocacy staff and undergraduate level interns. She provides case management, resource connection, and crisis intervention services to families served by the forensic and clinical staff. Mrs. Welch facilitates communication and information sharing with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, which includes law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Additionally, Mrs. Welch assists in managing Forensic Medical Exams conducted onsite in partnership to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Mrs. Welch is certified as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning (ESMHL) through PATH International and has experience working with foster children and children who have experienced trauma heal through Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL). Mrs. Welch has experience working in youth organizations involving faith-based ministry and experience in the organizational development of child abuse prevention trainings, policies, and protocols within the faith community. Mrs. Welch is a certified Darkness to Light Facilitator providing sexual abuse awareness and prevention trainings to adults. Mrs. Welch is extremely passionate about child abuse prevention and whole heartedly advocates for adults to continue to improve protection efforts surrounding children in their communities.
Mrs. Santa Espinosa Jones began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2014, providing clinical and therapy services in English and in Spanish to children ages 3 to 18. Mrs. Espinosa Jones holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the State of Georgia and member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Mrs. Espinosa Jones has experience working with children, youth and families who have experienced abuse and trauma Mrs. Espinosa Jones has received specialized training in the areas of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Alternative for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, and EMDR. Mrs. Espinosa Jones is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and CSEC-specific applications of TF-CBT with youth and their families who have experienced Commercial Sexual Exploitation.Mrs. Espinosa Jones also facilitates support groups and has helped in the development of the Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group for the Hispanic community at Anna Crawford Children’s Center.
Ms. Kimberly A. Cabral began her internship in 2018 with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center.In 2019, she became a full-time employee providing therapy and group services as a Trauma-Focused Bilingual Clinical Child and Family Specialist to children survivors between the ages of 4 to 18 and their families. Ms. Cabral holds a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. Ms. Cabral is an Associate Professional Counselor with the State of Georgia and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Kimberly is a member of the American Counselor’s Association, the Licensed Professional Counselor’s Association of Georgia, the National Board of Certified Counselors, and of the Chi Sigma Iota International Honor’s Society. Ms. Cabral has received specialized training in the areas of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Alternative for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, and EMDR. Additionally,Ms. Kimberly Cabral is a Bilingual Certified Stewards of Children Darkness to Light Facilitator. Kimberly has developed a teen psycho educational and empowerment support group program for teenage female survivors, which she facilitates alongside her two co-workers at Anna Crawford Children’s Center.Kimberly is also co-facilitating and has helped in the development of the Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group for the Hispanic community at Anna Crawford Children’s Center. Ms. Kimberly Cabral is very dedicated and passionate about her work with survivors of trauma and looks forward in continuing to help bring about awareness in the fight to cure the stigma of trauma.
Ms. Vincent serves as the Staff Accountant for the Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. She started on a volunteer basis for several months before being hired in 2009. Ms. Vincent holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of New Haven, Connecticut and has worked towards her Masters in Accounting at Kennesaw State University. She works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Ms. Vincent is also the Training Coordinator for the ChildFirst Training program.
Ms. Guzman began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2000. Ms. Guzman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Seton Hall University. Ms. Guzman is bilingual, proficient in English and Spanish, and has worked in the field of Social Services and Child Abuse for over 21 years. Her primary responsibilities include providing in-home parent education and support services to at-risk families referred by Cherokee DFCS and facilitating parent groups. She also provides Adoption Investigations and Home Studies for Cherokee County Superior Court. Ms. Guzman has also been trained as a Forensic Interviewer and provides interviews in English and Spanish.
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Ms. Alma Gardarsdottir began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2016. Ms. Gardarsdottir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in children and families. Ms. Gardarsdottir is licensed clinical social worker with the state of Georgia. She has extensive training in Victim’s Assistance and Advocacy and provides support for the families served by the forensic and clinical staff at the center.
Ms. Gardarsdottir also facilitates communication and information sharing with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, which includes law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Ms. Gardarsdottir has extensive clinical training and experience working with children and families who have experienced abuse and trauma. Ms. Gardarsdottir provides clinical services to child victims and families utilizing Trauma Focus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing (EMDR), Alternative for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), and play therapy. Ms. Gardarsdottir facilitates support groups for non-offending caregivers and is a certified Darkness to Light Facilitator and provides sexual abuse prevention training to adults throughout the community.