Child Advocacy Center Presents Awards, Shows Off New Digs

The Loudoun Child Advocacy Center held a ceremony Friday to honor those who have served the group and show off the new space Inova Loudoun Hospital provided for the group at its Cornwall Street campus.

The Loudoun CAC provides a support network to county’s most vulnerable victims of violence and abuse – our children. Inova first provide space for the CAC four a half years ago.

According to the Department of Family Services, from July 2011 through June 2012 Loudoun County's Child Protective Services unit assessed and/or investigated 1,284 complaints of child abuse and/or neglect that represented more than 1,500 children in Loudoun County. Of those, 190 complaints were placed on the investigative track and 111 involved a sexual abuse allegation.

During Friday’s event, the CAC's Judith Hanley presented the following Outstanding Multi-Disciplinary Team Member awards:

• Medical – Dr. William Hauda, Inova FACT
• Law Enforcement – Lt. Tom Kinnally, Leesburg Police Department (not present for the award)
• Prosecution – Gigi Lawless, Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
• Child Safety – Caitlin Smith, Loudoun County Department of Family Services, Child Protective Services Unit
• Crisis Response – Emergency Services Program, Loudoun County Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Services
• Victim Advocacy – LCSJ/LAWS
• Special Recognition – Stephen Principe, Loudoun County Department of Family Services, Child Protective Services Unity
• MDT Team Effort Award – Wayne Promisel, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office; Nicole Wittman and Jason Faw, Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office; Ben Smith, Loudoun County Department of Family Services, Child Protective Services Unit

In addition, the following Community Member Awards were distributed:

• Most Dedicated and Devoted Volunteer – Amy Franzer
• Foundation for Loudoun CAC – Inova Loudoun Hospital
• Humanitarian – Beacon Hill residents

The Loudoun CAC is a public/private partnership among Loudoun agencies that work collaboratively, including: Leesburg Police Department; Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice/LAWS;  Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Office; Loudoun County Department of Family Services; Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Developmental Services; Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office;  Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team (FACT) Department/ SANE Program; Loudoun County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Services Unit; and Loudoun County Public Schools.