Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Carl Perkins Child Advocacy Center outlines services after Atoka proclamation, seeks fundraising support
Summary
Kayla Starnes of the Carl Perkins Child Advocacy Center described the nonprofit—s free services for abused children (forensic interviews, trauma therapy, victim advocacy), said the center served about 218 children last year and asked the community to support upcoming fundraising plans including a proposed May 30 event at Phoenix Theatre.
The Atoka board recognized the Carl Perkins Child Advocacy Center at its April 14 meeting and heard a presentation from Kayla Starnes, who outlined the center—s services and asked the community to support fundraising efforts.
Starnes said the Carl Perkins Center provides free forensic interviewing (recorded audio and video to preserve the child—s statement for investigations and court), trauma-focused therapy, victim advocacy (including court accompaniment) and family support services such as school supplies and holiday assistance. She told the board the center receives referrals from the Tennessee Department of Children—s Services (DCS) and law enforcement, focuses on severe abuse cases and does not bill insurance for services.
"We truly just provide everything for free," Starnes said, and added that the center served about 218 children last year (some of whom did not enter the center physically but still received services). Starnes described ongoing fundraising—dinners and auctions, a tractor pull in Covington in August—and said town and neighboring volunteers are exploring a May 30 fundraiser to be hosted at Phoenix Theatre in Atoka.
Mayor Aiken and board members praised the center—s work and asked residents to "save the date" for the proposed event; staff indicated the town is helping as a conduit for the fundraiser but is not the official sponsor.
