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News from Southmountain Children and Family Service

VanNoppen Marketing 8/6/14 VanNoppen Marketing 8/6/14

Southmountain Youth Bring Home 2014 Southeast Regional NYPUM Rodeo Trophy

Three dozen youth riders from among the Southeast converged this past June in Asheville, NC to put their motorcycle skills and character to the test. The rodeo was hosted by Eliada Homes and gives youth the opportunity to demonstrate their very best. Minibike events include timed range trials, trail-riding events, and a host of different races. The Sportsmanship Award is the main trophy awarded each year to the program that exhibits the best sportsmanship throughout the weekend events and activities.

Judges were looking for such behaviors as encouraging and supporting riders, including those from competing programs, being courteous, and showing initiative. The youth from Southmountain excelled in this category and proceeded to help with meal preparations, assist with event provisions, and custodial duties. Southmountain kids were exceptional in all of these areas this year, and proved themselves worthy of this honor – all while having a great time.

VanNoppen Marketing 7/21/14 VanNoppen Marketing 7/21/14

First Baptist Church of Morganton gifts custom pillowcases to Southmountain

The lady parishioners at the First Baptist Church of Morganton have pooled their efforts to provide every child receiving residential services a custom pillowcase. The ladies work closely together each Wednesday afternoon to sew and create the custom pillowcases. The loving hope is to make the life transitions encountered by the kids at Southmountain smoother and provide an extra measure of care.

The presentment cards read:
“JUST IN CASE
You need a hug, a nap, or just comfort
This pillowcase was made especially for you
First Baptist Church of Morganton, NC”

The children got to select their favorite creation to make their very own. The kids absolutely loved the items and are creating in return cards of thanks to express their appreciation. Several of the ladies got the opportunity to meet with the agency Executive Director, Chris Jernigan as well as the chance to visit the foster homes with the children.

Seen here in the photo holding a pillowcase is Donna Massey with Margaret Fietz on the other side of the Residential Services Director, Valerie Johnson (center).

Dr. Holli Sink, Clinical Director for the agency’s Center of Excellence in Evidence-Based Treatment, hopes that in the future the pillowcase project may be expanded to reach even more deserving kids receiving counseling services. All of the staff at the agency is thankful of the kindness shown and want those at the church to know how much of a positive difference they are making in the lives of those in need. Thank you!

VanNoppen Marketing 6/10/14 VanNoppen Marketing 6/10/14

Child Advocacy Center Director Beth Cali Presents at National Conference

Beth Cali Director and Forensic Interviewer at the Burke County Child Advocacy Center recently presented research during a training session at the National Adolescent Perpetration Network.

NAPN is subsidiary of the Kempe Center for Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect which is attached to the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The Theme of the 29th Annual Conference held May 29-31st in Charlotte was Creating Models of Change: Innovation, adaptation, and transformation in the treatment of sexually abusive youth.

During Beth’s training session she presented information regarding the history, development, and process of Child Advocacy Centers as well as the history of Southmountain Children and Family Services. The training session presented research on how accurate treatment of sexually abusive youth hinges on the ability to accurately assess the youth’s needs.

Beth showed how integral information needed for assessment is discussed during the case reviews with the multidisciplinary team at the child advocacy center. Beth encouraged those providing treatment and assessment to sexually aggressive youth to begin involved with their local child advocacy centers and their multidisciplinary team process.

VanNoppen Marketing 3/20/14 VanNoppen Marketing 3/20/14

Southmountain Sponsors Poster Contest For Prevention To Child Abuse Month

MARION, NC (Mar. 23, 2014) – To recognize and support Prevention to Child Abuse Month, which begins April 1, the McDowell County Child Advocacy Center is holding a poster contest for all fourth graders throughout the county.

The McDowell County Child Advocacy Center is part of Southmountain Child and Family Services’ network of child advocacy centers in Western North Carolina.

The poster contest, themed “There’s No Excuse for Abuse,” is open to any fourth grade child attending any McDowell County Elementary public school, religious school or home school. The deadline is April 15, 2014. Entries must be submitted to the student’s school office and home-school students must submit theirs to the McDowell County Child Advocacy Center, located at 378 South Main St., Marion NC.

One winner will be selected from each school and one from combined home-school students. There will be a Grand Prize Winner selected from all combined winners, all of which will be recognized during Prevention Month.

Posters or drawings must be on sheets of paper sized 11” x 17” or smaller, and poster contest entry forms must be attached to the back of the posters.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families, according to the Website, ChildWelfare.gov. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness strategies and activities and promote prevention across the country. In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, we have designed a historical timeline of significant moments in child abuse prevention in the United States

“April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children,” said Rhonda Robbins, Director of of the McDowell County Child Advocacy Center. “Everyone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development.”

Since 1903 Southmountain Children & Family Services has been providing care for children and families in North Carolina. Headquartered in Morganton, NC, they operate the State’s first and only foster community near Lake James and four Children’s Advocacy Centers and Evidence-based Treatment Centers serving Burke, McDowell, Watauga, Yancy, Mitchell, Avery and Ashe.

VanNoppen Marketing 3/6/14 VanNoppen Marketing 3/6/14

Southmountain Names Burke County Child Advocacy Center Director

MORGANTON, NC (Mar. 6, 2014) – Beth Cali, a lifelong resident of Burke County, recently was recently appointed as Director of the Burke County Child Advocacy Center for Southmountain Children and Family Services.

As director, Cali is responsible for structuring and conducting interviews of suspected child abuse victims and facilitating multidisciplinary coordinated responses between judicial, law enforcement and child advocacy agencies.

A certified Forensic Interviewer, Cali utilizes a highly-structured, forensic interview process nationally known as Recognizing Abuse Disclosure types and Responding (RADAR) protocol.

Additionally, Cali is a certified Darkness to Light Facilitator trained to deliver within the community child stewardship educational programs addressing safety of children, abuse prevention and proper responses to charges of child abuse.

Cali received an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Western Piedmont Community College and graduated from Lees McRae College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 2005.

Following graduation she began working in the child treatment and mental health field. Cali’s professional experiences range from working directly with adolescent offenders in a residential, group home setting, overseeing a busy outpatient mental health clinic, and providing clinical and administrative supervision to a variety of staff and services.

"I have quickly seen how important the mission of the Child Advocacy Center is to the community,” Cali said. “I work with an amazing team of professionals both at Southmountain and our partner agencies including the District Attorney's Office, Burke County Sheriff's Department, Morganton Department of Public Safety, Burke County DSS, Juvenile Justice, SAIS and all the other members of our multidisciplinary team. I am proud to be a part of this group and assist with child abuse investigations and help keep the children in our community safe."

Cali is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Montreat College. She is the proud mother of a seven-year-old daughter and spends as much time with her as possible in between full time graduate work and being the Forensic Interviewer for her CAC which offers 24/7 emergency on-call services.

VanNoppen Marketing 2/20/14 VanNoppen Marketing 2/20/14

Elizabeth Garris Browning recognized for 25 years of service.

MORGANTON, NC (Dec. 2, 2013) – Child advocacy and foster community specialist Southmountain Children and Family Services recently honored its forensic nurse examiner and Program Administrator Elizabeth “Beth” Garris Browning with 25 years of dedicated service.

Browning joined Southmountain in 1988 as a Housemother for 12 girls.

Today Browning serves as Program Administrator and Nurse Examiner for four Southmountain-operated Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) throughout western North Carolina.

“Beth is one of those rare employees that every administrator longs for,” said Chris Jernigan, executive director of Southmountain Children and Family Services. “Her commitment to Southmountain, and, more especially, to the children and families of our communities is endless. I am humbled by her knowledge, expertise, dedication, and love. We are truly fortunate to have her.”

The award was presented during Southmountain’s annual Thanksgiving celebration held at the facility’s Kate B. Reynolds complex within its Foster Community in Nebo, NC.

“Southmountain has been and continues to be my mission, my home, and my family,” Browning said. “I can’t see my life without Southmountain.”

Browning earned her Registered Nurse degree in 2000 from Western Piedmont Community College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2005 from Jacksonville University. She is pursuing Nurse Practitioner Degree to be able to increase services to children seen at CAC and assist with much-needed revenue.

In 2004 Browning was promoted to Southmountain’s Direct Care Supervisor and Nurse for both the Residential Program and the Burke County Child Advocacy Center. In 2005 she was promoted again to Residential Foster Care Program Manager while continuing her nursing duties.

With the opening of the McDowell County CAC in 2009, Browning was named Program Administrator for all Southmountain-operated CACs while continuing her responsibilities as the facilities’ Nurse Examiner.

Additionally, Browning is trained as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (S.A.N.E) for both adults and pediatrics by the NC Child Medical Evaluation Program and International Association of Forensic Nursing.

Browning married Donald “Jocko” Browning in 1989 and together served as Southmountain House Parents. The Brownings received the 'Award for Excellence in Direct Care Services' from the Children and Family Services Association of NC twice during their time as live-in parents.

“Beth is recognized by her peers and leaders in the fight against child abuse as being among the best Forensic Nurses in the business,” Jernigan said. “She has been called upon for numerous trainings and her photo documentation has been used by several groups including the NC Child Medical Evaluation Program & the NC Chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nursing.”