Meet Our Team

 

Joshua Bissell
Program Director

As the Program Director for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan (CACMI) team, Joshua is committed to providing support to CAC staff across the state. In addition to preparation for (re)accreditation, this support will range from on-site training to phone consultations, active troubleshooting of difficult dilemmas and real-time discussions to help meet the needs of all CAC staff. His personal mission is one of accessibility and accountability and to ensure that every CAC staff person has an opportunity for professional development and growth as experts in their field. In a previous life, Joshua worked as a licensed social worker in the state of Louisiana developing a social services program embedded within the New Orleans Police Department Special Victims Section. He spent years working with the Child Abuse, Adult Sex Crimes, and Domestic Violence units and also served as a forensic interviewer and case manager at the New Orleans Children’s Advocacy Center. He received undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Sociology and his master’s degree in social work at Tulane University. In his free time, he enjoys disc golfing and board games and likes to write short stories in the genre of science fiction and fantasy.

 

Amanda Davis Scott, MS, MA, LPC-S, CAADC
Clinical Director

As the Director of Clinical Practice, Development, and Education for CACMI, Amanda helps to support the clinical and victim advocacy operations of the Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) in Michigan. Amanda’s duties include but are not limited to providing clinical consultation, giving onboarding support for new victim advocates and clinicians at the CACs, operational support for established CACs and internship programs, development of training curriculum and materials based on the needs of and for the use at CACs, and development and facilitation of peer review/support programs for advocates and clinicians. Prior to working at CACMI Amanda was the Program Director at the Lenawee Child Advocacy Center and the Program Director at the Lenawee Child Trauma Assessment Center. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in family life education from Spring Arbor University, a Master’s degree in counseling also from Spring Arbor University, and a Master’s degree in criminal justice with a specialization in forensic psychology from Tiffin University. In her free time Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband James, and three children.

 

Steven King, MSW, LMSW, LLMFT
Operations Manager

As the Operations Manager for CACMI, Steven helps to support the operations of the Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) in Michigan. Steven’s duties include but are not limited Association Membership Services and Initiatives, Member Relations, Communications, Organizational Development, Financial Operations, and HR support. Prior to working at CACMI Steven was the Intake Coordinator and an Advocate at the Jackson County Child Advocacy Center. Steven holds a bachelor’s degree Psychology from Michigan State University, a Master’s degree in Social Work also from Michigan State University, with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. In his free time Steven enjoys spending time with his family, reading a good book, running, and playing disc golf.

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Our Board of Directors

Nyse Holloman, Chair

Melissa Werkman, Vice Chair

Scott Dzurka, Treasurer

Allison Benczkowski, Secretary

Alex Brace

Amber Depuydt-Goodlock

Cynthia Morley

Darcy Fluharty

Dr. Dena Nazer

Jamie Rossow

Jamie Lee

Kathleen Sweeney

Kimberly Ruppel

Lori Antkoviak

Melanie Richards

Michelle Waskevich

Rebecca Yuncker

Tricia Schuster

Our CAC Members

Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center, Allegan County

CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region, Arenac & Bay County

Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center, Barry County

Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan, Berrien County

Children’s Advocacy Center, Calhoun County

Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center, Crawford, Iosco, Oscoda, Ogemaw, & Roscommon County

Voices for Children Advocacy Center, Genesee County

Child Advocacy Center, Gratiot County

Small Talk Children’s Advocacy Center, Ingham County

Isabella County Child Advocacy Center, Isabella County

Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County, Jackson County

Children’s Advocacy Center of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County

Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County, Kent County

Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County, Lapeer County

Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, & Wexford County

Care House of Macomb County, Macomb County

Lakeshore Children’s Advocacy Center, Manistee County and Mason County

Safe & Sound Child Protection and Advocacy Center, Midland County

Northern Michigan Mobile Child Advocacy Center, Alger, Claire, Delta, Gladwin, Missaukee, Menominee, & Schoolcraft County

IM Safe Child Advocacy Center, Ionia and Montcalm

Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County, Muskegon County

Care House of Oakland County, Oakland County

Children’s Advocacy Center of Ottawa County, Ottawa County

Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeast Michigan, Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency & Presque Isle County

CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region, Saginaw County

Sanilac County Child Advocacy Center, Sanilac County

Voices for Children Advocacy Center, Shiawassee County

Blue Water Area Child Advocacy Center, St. Clair County

Child Advocacy Center of Tuscola, Tuscola County

Washtenaw Child Advocacy Center, Washtenaw County

Kids-Talk Children’s Advocacy Center, Wayne County (Detroit)

Kids-Talk Children’s Advocacy Center, Wayne County (Southgate)

Network of Hope

Zoe’s Story.

Zoe first heard about the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) when someone from there came to her classroom. She was in 3rd grade at the time. The person from the CAC talked to the class about “body safety.” Zoe knew about keeping herself… Read more…

SHARING IDEAS & RESOURCES