Children's Advocacy Center Magazine 2014

Page 2

Message from the Executive Director - Sylvia Bruni Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County

T

he year was 1993, and the caller was D.A. Joe Rubio, who served both Webb and Zapata Counties. Rubio was deeply troubled over a phenomenon that was fast approaching epidemic proportions, a dramatic increase in the number of outcries of child abuse and an equally glaring lack of coordinated support for these small victims. And he was determined to address it. What followed was a call to action, going out to a number of community advocates who had one unique trait in common: all of them represented agencies that served children. They came from the local school districts, Laredo & United Independent School Districts; from Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International University; Child Protective Services; the Laredo Police Department and the Zapata & Webb County Sheriffs’ offices; and a host of community leaders that included medical personnel, judges and attorneys as well as civic leaders and nonprofit advocates. The group became known as the Interagency Child Abuse Task Force, and what followed the call to action was remarkable.

By 1995, the Task Force had evolved into the Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County

(CAC), serving children who had been victimized, and doing so via a multi-disciplinary team approach that provided these children with a closely knit support system composed of all agency partners that would have been called to serve them: law enforcement agencies that included law enforcement, child protective services, both county and district attorneys, as well as medical providers and an array of services provided by the Children’s Advocacy Center staff, i.e. the forensic interview, therapy and counseling and family support services.

Since that first taskforce meeting, the CAC has served over 7,500 children who out cried to abuse, the grand majority out crying to sexual abuse; 100% of them victimized by someone that they knew and trusted. They are assured an array of services, offered by a multidisciplinary team of caring professionals whose services range from the carefully constructed forensic interview and investigation of the allegation, supportive advocacy for all needed social/medical services; counseling and therapy and prosecution of the predator, if the case warrants it.

Yet, despite the dark elements that drive our children to our CAC, the sun has also shone brightly over them. Supported by a remarkable group of volunteers, its board members, the Center now occupies a state of the art facility, a beautifully designed and equipped safe place that not only offers respite and healing, but also provides an array of play and art therapies that have transformed the lives of our children and those of their families, their brilliant art work and the many noisy afternoons spent at the Center’s summer camps or monthly play dates, vivid reminders that in spite of grave injury the Sun Still Shines in the lives of our

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

CAC children.

But much still remains to be done for as much as we might wish to deny it, child molestation is a harsh reality in all our communities. Few of us are aware that 1 in 4 girls and l in 6 boys will be molested before age 18, a typical molester abusing 30-60 children before being caught, a glaring example-Jerry Sandusky, the Penn State coach accused and found guilty of long term sexual abuse of at least 10 young boys. Sandusky would surface as the model child predator, friend and mentor to the children that he victimized, respected in the community, and unbeknownst to all causing great harm to his child victims, for years before being discovered.

And thus radKJDS, a nationally renowned child safety program, sponsored by the CAC and a host of patrons, introduced to the school community in September, 2011. We were determined to serve both the children who had already been victimized as well as guard as many as possible from potential harm, and radKJDS (resisting aggression defensively) offered the best means to that end. Fast forward to November 2013: both United and Laredo

ISD onboard; 200 radKIDS coaches trained; close to 10,000 little radKIDS, in both public school districts and United Day School, with a strong implementation plan in place to assure continued expansion; and numerous other child centered organizations joining the radKIDS movement, i.e. faith based schools, the Sacred Heart Children’s Home, Ruth B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, County Attorney Mark Montemayor’s Family Drug Court, the County Community Centers, Head Start Programs, the City of Laredo Parks and Leisure Program and TAMIU’s Children’s Workshops.

Mark Twain is credited with a reflection that closely mirrors the work of our CAC. He compared the human character to the moon, with both a bright and a dark side, the latter rarely visible. Our work, on behalf of children whose lives have been darkened by terrible abuse, is also made brighter, by the work of our partners and advocates, by the healing of our children, and most recently by the growing number of little radKIDS, who are now much better equipped to escape the dangers that bring too many of their little peers to our CAC.

Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County

Advisory Board Isidro Alaniz Terri Deutsch Rita Garner Linda La Mantia Dalia Martinez Michelle Raymond Cordelia Valdez

Juan J. Cruz Mary Lamar Leyendecker Janice Gonzalez Raul Guerra Diane Gates Leslie Mims

Children’s Advocacy Center

Page 3

Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County 2013-2014 Board of Directors Adriana B. Maddox

Madeline Lopez Escoto

Secretary

Community Member Mary Freeman Historian

Anali N. Vargas Agency Representative Anna B. Galo Community Member

Consultant

Annabelle Uribe Hall

Nancy N. De Anda

Vice-President

President

Cordelia Perez

Patty Carranza

Community Member

Community Member

Cristina B. Alexander

Pete Arredondo

Community Member Agency Representative

Agency Representative Analisa Benoit Agency Representative

Jeffrey Czar

Viviana Frank

Agency Representative Juan J. Castillo Treasurer

Community Member Annie Dodier Community Member

Kimberly W. Tijerina

Lisa Morales

President-Elect

Community Member

Linda Lopez Howland

Danielle Marasco

Past-President

Community Member

Lorraine Withoff Laurel

Roberta Ramirez

Parliamentarian

Community Member

Gabriel E. Martinez, Jr.

Pictured, from left to right standing, are Adriana Benavides Maddox, Patricia Carranza, Lisa Morales, Pete Arredondo, Gabriel E. Martinez Jr., Madeline Lopez Escoto and Linda Lopez Howland.

Pictured, from left to right seated, are Lorraine Withoff Laurel, Minnie Dora Bunn Haynes, Nancy Newman De Anda, Mary Freeman and Annabelle Uribe Hall.

Minnie Dora B. Haynes

Message from the President of the Board

I

Nancy Newman De Anda 2013-2014

am pleased to represent the Board of the Children’s Advocacy Center as President for this year, a member for over ten years, serving as Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President of this dedicated group of volunteers. The Center has grown to proportions that few of us ever imagined. With our state of the art building, designed by Viviana and Frank Rotnofsky, we have been able to provide an array of services to children who have come to the Center after having out cried to the abuse.

The CAC serves children who have been suffered abuse in the most horrific manner, helping them to heal both physically and emotionally, and it does so with a staff that personifies Teamwork at

Children’s Advocacy Center

its best: therapists, psychologist, forensic interviewers, child advocates and crime victim services coordinator, all of them working together with the multi-disciplinary team to enable the child and family to heal and find justice. The team works to bring the healing process to each child who passes through our doors, over 7500 child victims since the Center began offering services in 1995, all led by Executive Director Sylvia Bruni, who does an incredible job leading the team.

Because our mission is twofold, to both help children who have been abused and to educate the community on issues surrounding child abuse, Outreach is also very important to the Center.

We reach out to the community

in order to educate and help children learn to protect themselves.

The radKIDS program and P.S. It’s My Body are two of the programs we provide to teach children that abuse is not okay and that help is actually nearby.

Equally valued and appreciated is the generous support of community donors who provide funding for our Center, donations that fuel and enrich our children’s programs, our building needs, and allow us to expand our community outreach through education. Several of these donors, whom I would like to thank, are the South Texas Outreach Foundation, the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation, BBVA Compass Bank, the Fernando Salinas Trust, the D.D. Hachar Founda-

tion, the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust, Anna and John Galo, Minnie Dora and J. J. Haynes, The Leyendecker Group, Juan Cruz, Joe Brand and the many others who continue to support our Center.

Our CAC is actually a place where children who have been terribly hurt find solace, healing, and justice, and I am very proud to be a part of it!

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Page 4

The Children’s Advocacy Center Protecting Our Children since 1993 Mission Statement “To break the cycle of child abuse through community education, training and prevention and to allow the child opportunities for healing through intervention in a child sensitive environment.”

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo – Webb County is a non-profit organization that provides training, prevention, intervention and treatment services to fight and eradicate child abuse and neglect.

What CAC Centers do: n Create a safe place for a child to disclose abuse. n Coordinate with partner agencies so child does not repeat or relive.

n Provide individual, family and group counseling sessions to child victims and their nonoffending family members who have suffered as a result of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect and domestic violence. n Conduct forensic videotaped interviews only once to obtain details of the alleged abuse. n Review cases for potential prosecution of the alleged perpetrators, resulting in justice meted out when merited. n Facilitate the completion of client victim compensation applications and referrals to other needed services. n Provide community presentations and trainings on topics focusing on child abuse.

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Protejiendo a Nuestros Niños desde 1993 Misión Oficial “Romper el círculo de abuso a través de educación comunitaria, entrenamiento y prevención y permitir al niño(a) oportunidades de curacióna través de la intervención en un ambiente sensible al menor de edad”.

Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County (Centro de Apoyo de Laredo-Condado de Webb) es una organización sin fines de lucro que proveeentrenamiento, prevención, intervención y servicios de tratamiento para pelear y erradicar el abuso infantil y negligencia.

Lo que CAC hace: n Crear un lugar seguro para que un niño revele un abuso. n Coordinarse con agencias socias para que un menor no repita reviva su trauma.

n Proveer sesiones de asesoría individual, familiar y de grupo para víctimas infantiles y sus familiares no involucrados quienes han sufrido como un resultado de abuso sexual, abuso físico, negligencia y violencia doméstica. n Realizar entrevistas forenses video grabadas solamente una vez para obtener detalles del supuesto abuso. n Revisar casos para acusación potencial del supuesto autor del crimen, resultando en justicia impuesta cuando se amerite. n Facilitar la conclusión de las solicitudes de compensación de la víctima-cliente y referencias a otros servicios necesarios. n Proveer presentaciones comunitarias y entrenamientos sobre temas enfocados sobre el abuso infantil.

Children’s Advocacy Center

Page 5

Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County History

S

ince its inception in 1995, the CAC has worked to provide a safe and secure venue for child victims of domestic violence and/or abuse. Responding to the call of then Webb County District Attorney Joe Rubio, a group of Laredoans involved in children’s services was brought together to address the growing number of child abuse cases that his office was receiving. The goal was to create a system that would respond to these outcries in a manner that would lessen the trauma for every young victim.

Since that first call to action, The CAC has treated over 7,500 young victims of abuse, the vast majority of these being sexual abuse victims, as well as treated their peers and non-offending family members. Today, the Center offers a full range of services in a state-of-the art facility, inaugurated in 2007 and fully funded through the generosity of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust.

Under the leadership of Isidro, “Chilo,” Alaniz, the District Attorney’s Office now has three assistant district attorneys dedicated to the prosecution of alleged child abuse perpetrators. In 18 years, great strides have been made to bring justice to cases involving child abuse.

Dedicated professionals and volunteers continue to meet the needs of child victims and their families in a sensitive and caring manner. These comprehensive, team based services, ultimately lead to the healing of the child and his/her non-offending family as well as the prosecution of the alleged perpetrator.

Children’s Advocacy Center

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Page 6

Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County Staff Pictured, from left to right, are Juan Castro, Lupita Martinez, Sandra Contreras, Josie Mendiola, Fina Medel, Veronica Valdez, Belen Cantu, Janeth Guerra, Sylvia Bruni , Marta Esparza and Ruby Benavides.

Services Rendered by

Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County

Forensic Interviews

Forensic Interviews are conducted in a child friendly interview room equipped with a hidden camera and microphone. The trained interviewer assists the child to disclose the facts as they relate to the alleged abuse. The forensic interviewers receive extensive training and support in order to work with children who have been allegedly abused.

Entrevistas Forensicas

Las entrevistas forenses son realizadas en una sala de entrevistas de ambiente amigable a los niños con una cámara y micrfono escondidos. El entrevistador entrenado ayuda al menor a revelar los hechos como se relaciona al supuesto abuso. Los entrevistadores forenses reciben un entrenamiento extensive y apoyo a fin de trabajar con niños quienes han sido supuestamente abusados.

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Therapy

Therapy is provided by a licensed professional counselor or licensed professional counselor intern. The therapist provides counseling to the non-offending family members of the sexually abused child as well as children and their families who are victims of abuse, domestic violence, kidnapping, drugs, and other crimes that may negatively affect the families. All services are provided at no cost to the families.

La Terapia

La Terapia es proveída por un orientador profesional con licencia o orientador profesional con licencia en practica. El terapeuta provee orientacion a los familiares no implicados del menor abusado sexualmente así como a los niños y sus familias quienes son víctimas de abuso, violencia doméstica, secuestro, drogas, y otros crímenes que pudieran afectar negativamente a las familias. Todos los servicios se proveen sin costo para las familias.

Children’s Advocacy Center

Page 7

Victims Assistance Services

Victims Assistance Services are facilitated by a Victims Services Coordinator (VSC). The VSC assists families by completing the Victim’s Compensation Application which will assist with costs related to the alleged abuse or crime. The VSC also provides social service related assistance to ensure the nonoffending family members and the victim receive proper assistance to get through the trauma of the abuse.

Servicios de Asistencia a Víctimas

Los Servicios de Asistencia a Víctimas son facilitados por un Coordinador de Servicios a Víctimas (VSC, por sus siglas en inglés). El VSC ayuda a las familias a llenar la Solicitud de Compensación de la Víctima la cual ayuda con los costos relacionados al supuesto abuso crimen. El VSC también provee servicio social relacionado a asistencia para asegurar que los familiars no-implicados y la víctima reciban asistencia apropiada para sobrellevar el trauma de abuso.

Child Advocacy

Child Advocacy is facilitated by a Child Advocate who familiarizes the child victim with the forensic interview, the investigation of the alleged abuse, treatment and services available to the child and the non-offending family, and the trial process. For example, the Child Advocate, along with the child and his/ her non-offending family, participate in a mock trial before appearing at the real trial. This is done to alleviate fears a child may have prior to the court date.

Apoya al Menor

Apoyo al Menor es facilitado por un Abogado Infantil quien se familiariza con la víctima menor de edad con las entrevistas forenses, la investigación del supuesto abuso, tratamiento y servicios disponibles para el menor y los familiares no implicados, y el proceso de juicio. Por ejemplo, el Abogado Infantil, junto con el menor y su familia no implicada participa en un simulacro de juicio antes de presentarse en el juicio real. Esto se hace para aminorar los miedos que como menor de edad se pudiera tener antes de la fecha para presentarse en la corte.

Counseling & Assessments Counseling & Assessments are conducted by a licensed psychologist. The psychologist conducts assessments to assist in the investigation of a case where allegations of sexual abuse have been disclosed. The psychologist Children’s Advocacy Center

also develops a treatment plan for the individual child. Psychological services are provided to families at no cost. Treatment can also be on-going for as long as the child is in need of counseling.

Orentación Evaluaciones Orientación y Evaluaciones son realizadas por un psicólogo con licencia. El psicólogo realiza evaluaciones para ayudar en la investigación del caso donde se han revelado acusaciones de abuso sexual. El psicólogo también de-

namiento para el menor en particular. Los servicios psicológicos son proveídos para familias sin costo alguno. El tratamiento puede también se puede desarrollar por tanto tiempo como el menor necesite la orientación.

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Page 8

Play Days

The Children’s Advocacy Center hosts monthly Play Days for its young clients to familiarize them with the friendly environment provided by the Center’s Staff. Colorful and comforting play areas and theme-based events are monthly reminders to our children that life can still be joyful.

Parents meet in a separate space, at the same time, in Parent Support Sessions that focus on topics of special interest to them. Play Days and Parent Support Sessions are held simultaneously to familiarize the child and the non-offending family with the caring environment at the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Art Classes for Children

Patty Orduna, the Center’s art instructor, who has inspired our children’s artistic talents, resulting in beautiful works of art.

The Center and Patty offer weekly and summer art classes to the Center’s children all year round. This program is a treat they enjoy, and it is beneficial for them.

Community Education Outreach

Inspired by a mission statement that recognizes community education as a powerful means for breaking the cycle of child abuse, the CAC and its partner agencies make frequent appearances throughout the community. Among their primary audiences are educators and other school system employees, those individuals to whom children in crisis often turn to when they realize that their homes are not safe places. Other special programs are uniquely designed for school children and teenagers and for parents.

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Children’s Advocacy Center

Page 9

It Takes a Community To Protect Our Children The Multidisciplinary Team

Pictured, from left to right, are Ruben Camarillo, Adam Muffett, Gerard Cantu, Juan Castro, Robert Ruiz, Monica Morales, Anali Vargas, Sylvia Bruni, Veronica Valdez, Silvia Morales, Lupita Martinez, Juan Villarreal, Alonzo Olivarez, Greg Gutierrez and Jackelyn Gonzalez.

The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

The MDT is a group of diverse agencies consisting of Laredo Police Department, Webb and Zapata County Sheriffs’ Departments, Laredo Independent School District Police Department, United Independent School District Police Department, District Attorney’s Office, County Attorney’s Office, Child Protective Services, Doctors Hospita, SANE Program, Dr. Amando Garza, and CAC staff.

On a weekly basis, the MDT reviews cases of children who have been allegedly abused. Discussions of these cases are held to determine if there is enough evidence to pursue prosecution against the alleged perpetrator and/or to assure that all relevant services are being provided to the child victim and the non-offending family members. The MDT plays a vital role in bringing cases to justice and in providing the child and the family with a full array of services designed to facilitate the healing process.

Children’s Advocacy Center

Equipo de Revisión Multidisciplinaria

El MDT es un grupo conformado por diversas agencias, como son el Departamento de Policía de Laredo, los Departamentos del Alguacil del Condado de Webb y Zapata, el Departamento de Policía de Laredo Independent School District, el Departamento de Policía de United Independent School District, la Oficina del Fiscal de Distrito, la Oficina del Abogado del Condado, los Servicios de Protección Infantil, y personal de CAC. Semanalmente, el MDT revisa casos de niños quienes supuestamente nhan sido abusados. Discusiones de estos casos son llevados a cabo para determinar si hay evidencia suficiente para perseguir una acusación contra el acusado como autor del crimen y/o para asegurar que todos los servicios relevantes están siendo proveídos a la víctima menor de edad y los familiars no-implicados.

El MDT juega un rol vital en llevar casos ante la justicia y en proveer al menor y la familia con toda una serie de servicios destinados a facilitar el proceso de curación.

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Page 10

radKIDS® builds a safer Laredo TAMIU gets rad with radKIDS®

T

exas A&M International University (TAMIU) is implementing the radKIDS program at three summer camps and even a Spring Break camp that will be hosted from March 10-13, 2014. TAMIU is also looking into launching the radKIDS program during their academic semester by having special sessions that will accommodate 5-10 kids, this is a great program for parents with children of the same age group that are interested in becoming radKIDS. For more information on the camps, go to www.tamiu.edu/college4kids and for more information on the special sessions visit www.tamiu.edu/ce/personalenrich. Or call the Office of Continuing Education at 956-326-3068, 956-3262837 or 956-326-2829.

Elementary School Camp Session 1 Grade Level: 1st - 6th Date: June 9-26, 2014 Monday - Thursday Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Elementary School Camp Session 2 Grade Level: 1st-6th Date: July 7-31, 2013 Monday- Thursday Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Kinder Camp Age Group: 4-5-years-old Date: June 9-26, 2014 Monday- Thursday Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

radKIDS® goes school wide at Bonnie Garcia Elementary School

B

onnie Garcia Elementary School may be known as the “Home of the Mighty Stallions” but now they will be known as one of the first elementary schools in the State of Texas, to officially pilot the radKIDS program, a personal empowerment safety education program for students-school wide.

“Indeed, we are honored,” said Bonnie Garcia Elementary Principal, Clare Flores, who told students at a kick-off assembly that they too should be proud about pioneering a program that promotes and emphasizes their safety. Schools across the State will be “following our lead” for many years to come, she explained to them.

This is actually the second year the United Independent School District implements the

program. Currently, radKIDS is being taught at all of the UISD’s 26 elementary schools to second grade students with the assistance of school counselors and P.E. coaches. However, Bonnie Garcia Elementary

will be the first campus in UISD, and in Texas, that will implement the program throughout an entire campus.

Stephen M. Daley, founder of the program explained radKIDS is a personal empowerment

safety education curriculum that provides students with the tools and skills they need to recognize, avoid, resist and escape violence, abduction or harm. The curriculum involves a classroom lecture and activity training drills that cover the following topics: home, school, and vehicle safety; out and about safety; realistic defense against abduction; good-bad-uncomfortable touches; stranger-danger tricks; and self-realization of personal power.

The thought of creating the first school wide initiative started with an inquiry from Daley and Sylvia Bruni from the Children’s Advocacy Center. Bonnie Garcia Elementary School enthusiastically said “yes” to developing a model in Laredo and throughout Texas.

Larga Vista Community Center teaches empowerment & safety

T

he Larga Vista Community Center held its First Annual Empowerment and Safety Education Program. The center offered classes for kids aged 3 1/2-12-years-old. Instructors Felipe Rivera and Greg Araiza taught children verbal training, blocking, peppering, how to head butt, as well as other useful techniques in self defence.

This was the first training session of many that will be held in the future.

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Children’s Advocacy Center

Page 11

What do Laredo radKIDS’ Instructors have to say about radKIDS?

“

I found that the radKIDS program is the best educational program that I have ever taught. The students were enthusiastic about learning techniques to keep them safe. It has been a privilege to be part of a program that could save a child’s life. This program empowers our youth to take charge and realize that they are the most important things in this world. United Day School is the first private school in Laredo to implement radKIDS. We have trained 48 4th grade students this year. During next school year, we will train our 6th grade class and 4th grade class. Our goal is to have all of our 450 students trained in When I started with radKIDS I was nervous and the next 3 years.”

- Tracy Doan, United Day School Coach scared. I wanted all my kids and other kids to be safe. I took the school by storm. I taught my kids from kinder to 5th grade. I lectured them, I do scenarios with them, I do what if’s, crossing streets, as well as teaching them to not run around in the kitchen. I have Its alternative strattaught them to scream extremely loud, but especially I egies have gotten them to believe in themselves. Every chance I have before they go back to the classroom, I review with them. They know the dos and don’ts of radKIDS. They know how and where to hit and boy do they hit hard. I came up with “radKIDS Fridays” in which everything is reviewed, we practice the skills and do scenarios again. They love Fridays.”

“

“

– Margarita Chapa, St. Maria Elementary School Teacher

“

The radKids program has created a whole new awareness for those involved. Everyone feels safer after going through the program.”

- Rene Velasquez, Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary School Coach

Children’s Advocacy Center

“

I am very fortunate to be a part of such an amazing program. radKIDS has already made a positive difference in the everyday lives of the students that have been trained.”

- Isa Guerra, JC Martin Elementary School Coach Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Page 12

LULAC Receives Diversity Advocate Award at 30th Annual Kaitz Foundation Dinner

T

he League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the country, was honored as the 2013 Diversity Advocate at the 30th Annual Walter Kaitz Foundation Fundraising Dinner.

The Diversity Advocate award is presented annually to an organization outside of the cable industry that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to diversity. Through visionary leadership, LULAC has fostered a more embracing and inclusive diversity environment for the cable industry.

“We are proud to be recognized as the 2013 Diversity Advocate,” stated LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes.

“This award is an acknowledgement of LULAC’s broad range of programs designed to empower the Hispanic community. We are also grateful for our partnerships with AT&T, Cox Enterprises, Time Warner Cable, P&G, Comcast/ NBC Universal, Broadband for America, and Redemtech. Those partnerships help to strengthen

Sylvia Bruni, CAC Executive Director, a special guest of Time Warner Cable and LULAC at the Kaitz Foundation Dinner in New York City. our programs and technology centers throughout the country.”

Founded in 1929, LULAC engages a network of 135,000 community volunteers, 1000+ local councils, 60 community technology centers and 13 LULAC National Educational Service Centers in order to empower Latino communities across the country.

As the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization, LULAC has developed a range of programs designed to empower the Hispanic community. Some of LULAC’s programs include: n LULAC’s Empower Hispanic America with

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Technology Initiative: This network of 60 community technology centers provides free broadband access and computer-related training to students, parents, and low-income individuals. The program helps individuals to do school work, conduct college and financial aid searches, job searches, and advise on managing money, English language courses, and citizenship preparation courses are also available. The program provides services to over 150,000 people each year. n LULAC Education Advocacy Program, Promoting High School Success: The LULAC national office

works with local LULAC councils to host Education Reform & Advocacy seminars throughout the United States. The expertise gained from the training sessions builds the knowledge base in order to better for access to equitable education at the local, state, and federal levels. LULAC’s education policy team also leads education reform initiatives in Washington, D.C. and co-chairs the Hispanic Education Coalition. n LULAC’s Latinos Living Healthy Initiative: The initiative engages LULAC’s network of 135,000 community volunteers,1000+ local councils and 60 community technology centers

in a series of health and wellness public education campaigns, issued-based advocacy trainings, health education programs and community health festivals. LULAC also conducts community health briefings and public health education programs that focus on addressing the health disparities that lead to the onset of chronic disease. n LULAC Leadership Initiative: This project revitalizes Hispanic neighborhoods from within by creating a nationwide network of innovative grassroots service programs in 1000+ Hispanic communities which are served by LULAC Councils. The project identifies best practices, publishes a model program guide, and provides organization and training through regional offices.

Each year, the Kaitz Foundation dinner typically raises more than $1 million to fund diversity-oriented programs and initiatives for three industry-based diversity organizations: the Emma L. Bowen Foundation; the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC); and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT).

Children’s Advocacy Center

Page 13

Alicia Kozakiewicz To Keynote 15th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference

I

n January of 2002, Alicia Kozakiewicz became the victim of an Internet luring and was abducted to another state where she was held captive. Following a miraculous rescue by the FBI, Alicia, still recovering from her ordeal, returned to school and was soon highly involved in both academic and extracurricular activities, graduating with high honors. During these years, she came to realize that other children need not suffer her traumatic experience, and so, “Alicia Project,” Internet safety and awareness education, was born.

Alicia has educated children, families, teachers, law enforcement and governmental and social agencies, and has been honored to address numerous conferences, forums and summits, lending her personal and unique insight of the subject.

She has participated in Internet safety films for the FBI, the Office of the PA Attorney General’s Operation Safe Surf, the PA Cyber School, the Pennsylvania Center for Safe Schools and the A&E Biography Channel, among others, as well as being the subject of an award-winning Internet safety documentary for PBS, Alicia’s Message: I’m Here To Save Your Life and Enough is Enough’s Emmy award-winning, Alicia’s Story. Her story and mission have been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil, Fox & Friends, Good Morning America, Anderson Live, CNN, MSNBC and many more, as part of Internet safety programs across the nation, and internationally in a number of publications including People and Cosmopolitan, in the hope of raising awareness.

Collaborating with four other young survivors, Alicia co-authored an OJJDP publication, You’re Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment, a survival guide for returning abductees. Additionally, recognizing the need for effective Internet safety legislation, Alicia testified before Congress and has Children’s Advocacy Center

“It Takes a Whole Team to Protect a Child” 15th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County

Friday, April 4, 2014

United ISD-Student Activity Center CONFERENCE PROGRAM

lobbied successfully for the Protect Our Children Act of 2008 and Alicia’s Law, a state-by-state version of the same, which has become the mechanism to apply self-reliant dedicated funding – real dollars for real child rescue.

Alicia’s Law has passed in Virginia, Texas and Idaho and she has dedicated herself to seeing the initiative passed in all fifty states.

Alicia has received both a 2009 Jefferson Award and the 2007 Courage Award from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in recognition of her efforts. Continuing her mission, Alicia has joined the television network, Investigation Discovery (ID), to raise awareness of, and effect change for, issues such as Internet safety, missing persons, human trafficking, and child safety awareness education.

Likewise, she is working towards her M.A. in Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is hoping to one day work with law enforcement, joining the task forces that were instrumental in her rescue. Presently, she is engaged by the FBI to train the National Academy as part of the “Youth Violence: Victims and Perpetrators” program. “I’d like,” she says “to ultimately become the person who rescues the child, and then helps to recover that child’s soul.”

n Alicia Kozakicwicz, Keynote Speaker: Survivor and Advocate for Children’s Safety, who inspired Alicia’s Law, a state by state version of the national internet safety legislation, Protect Our Children Act of 2008. n Alicia’s Story: In January of 2002, Alicia Kozakiewicz became the victim of an internet luring and was abducted to another state where she was held captive. Following a miraculous rescue by the FBI, Alicia, still recovering from her ordeal, returned to school and was soon highly involved in both academic & extra-curricular activities, graduating with high honors. During these years, she came to realize that other children need not suffer her traumatic experience, and so, “Alicia’s Project, and Internet safety and awareness education program was born.

Alicia’s Keynote Address: “Alicia’s Project”-the inspirational internet safety & awareness education program borne from one young woman’s traumatic experience. n Victor Vieth, Director- National Child Protection Training Center, Saint Paul, MN: “In Search of the Bottom Line, What Every Youth Serving Organization Should Know.” & “Like a Child’s Footprint in Cement, Understanding Adverse Childhood Experience Research.” n Stephanie M. Smith, Regional Director-Gundersen’s National Child Protection Training Center: “The E-Trade Babies are Just the Tip of the Iceberg” n Steve Daley, M.Ed. CEO radKIDS: “radKIDS Instructor Family Reunion-“It’s not just about the Sticka’s”

Expectations vs Empowerment, the Battle Continues

n radKIDS in the Community, Increasing Parental

Partnerships & Participation

n radKIDS in the Classroom, Tips & Strategies to

help your radKIDS skills grow

n Instructor Round Table, Open Forum-Challenges,

Successes & the Future, including update on the rad

KIDS School Model

Pre-Registration starts January 2014

Registration Fee: $75 Early-Bird Special: Register three and one is FREE FREE CEU’s for early registrants.

(Late registrants will pay $10 for CEU’s) Call: (956) 712-1840 or email: cacclerk@caclaredo.org Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Page 14

Clients Served FY 2012-2013 Ages 2-17 Child Clients New Repeats

444 71 515

Gender

Male Females

170 345 515

86.21% 13.79%

33.01% 66.99%

Age Groups 2-5 6-12 13-17

103 246 166 515

Services

Forensic Interview Victims Crimes Appl.

Gift Room Referral/Social/Fam. Svcs

20.00% 47.77% 32.23%

103 246 551 147 1675

Victimization

Sexual Abuse Physical Abuse Child at Risk Sexual & Physical Child Witness Other

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

360 105 0 1 33 16 515

30.81% 27.52% 32.90% 8.78%

69.90% 20.39% 0.00 0.19% 6.41% 3.11%

Children’s Advocacy Center

Page 15

Alleged Perpetrator Relationship to Child Victim 2012-2013 Biological Mother Biological Father Step-Mother Step-Father Adoptive or Foster Mother Adoptive or Foster Father Paramour of Mother Paramour of Father Female Sibling Male Sibling Female Step Sibling Male Step Sibling Other Relative Known Non-Relative Stranger Unknown TOTAL Children’s Advocacy Center

25 75 3 37 0 0 26 2 1 16 1 4 86 109 0 1 386

6.48% 19.43% 0.78% 9.59% 0.00% 0.00% 6.74% 0.52% 0.26% 4.15% 0.26% 1.04% 22.28% 28.24% 0.00% 0.26% 100%

Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Page 16

Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County Donors

AB Homes 49th Judicial District Attorney Isidro Alaniz AEP Texas AT&T Texas Bank of Commerce B.P. Newman Investment Co. BBVA Compass Bank CACTX City of Laredo County of Webb D.D. Hachar Foundation Deutsch & Deutsch Juan Cruz and Associates, LLC Evelyn & Carroll Summers, Jr.

Fernando A. Salinas Charitable Trust Fernando D Laurel III Memorial Fund Frank Architects Inc. Freeman & Castillon Guadalupe & Lilia Martinez Foundation IBC-Laredo IBC-Zapata Joe Brand Inc. Kohl’s Department Store# 1059 La Quinta Inn & Suites Las Nueces River Ranch Leyendecker Construction Co.

Marine Corps Toys for Tots Polly Adams Rancho Colorado, LLC Robert Summers Sam’s Club #8156 Schneider National Foundation, Inc. South Texas Outreach Foundation The Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust The Laredo Area Community Foundation Tom & Diane Gates The United Way of Laredo Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar Women’s City Club Zaffirini Communications

If you would like to become a part of the community effort to protect our children, please send your tax deductible donation to

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo – Webb County 111 North Merida Laredo, Texas 78043 To discuss donor opportunities, please contact

Sylvia Bruni at 956-712-1840

or on-line at executivedirector@caclaredo.org

HELP IS A PHONE CALL AWAY REPORT CHILD ABUSE

Child Protective Services - 1 (800) 252-5400 Laredo Police Department - (956) 795-2800 Webb County Sheriff’s Department - (956) 523-4500 Visit us on the web @ www.caclaredo.org

Children’s Advocacy Center