Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Advocacy Center Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Personnel committee approves upgrade for Child Advocacy Center forensic interviewer
Summary
The Putnam County Personnel Committee voted to upgrade a forensic interviewer/outreach worker to a coordinator position at the Child Advocacy Center, citing heavier caseloads ("over 500 CPS reports" in 2024) and succession planning; the role is reported as fully grant-funded.
The Putnam County Personnel Committee on Sept. 5 approved a budget amendment to upgrade an existing forensic interviewer/outreach worker to a coordinator position at the Child Advocacy Center.
Nicole Mubarak, deputy commissioner, told the committee the coordinator would manage forensic interviews with law enforcement, the district attorney's office, child protective services and other multidisciplinary team members, conduct community outreach, and back up current coordinator Marla Baylor. "For 2024 to date, we've had over 500 CPS reports," Mubarak said, adding that roughly 40% of those referrals go to the Child Advocacy Center and that interviewers "can conduct up to 5 interviews of children a day." She said the position is 100% funded by OCFS and Office for Victims Services grants and cited succession-planning needs if the director retires.
Committee members asked about the basis for the higher caseload; Mubarak attributed it to increased awareness and outreach resulting in more reporting. Legislators expressed support for the upgrade as a prevention and coordination measure. Chair moved to approve the request; it was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The committee did not record any public comments on this item. No additional fiscal impacts beyond the stated grant funding were specified in the meeting record.
