To fully appreciate what makes a children’s advocacy center so unique is to understand the virtual village of professionals providing their expertise to the multidisciplinary process. CAC staff, law enforcement, prosecutors, child protection social workers, victim advocates and medical and mental health experts— are truly remarkable for the work they do. Every day, these professionals see the sadness and pain of child abuse. Yet, they are compassionate, focused and ferocious in their work to protect children. These professionals, through their work with abused children are everyday heroes—doing a hero's job everyday.

(Thanks to our colleagues at the New Hampshire Network of CACs for the Everyday Heroes project.)

Everyday Hero
Detective Heather Stults-Lindsay, Topeka Police Department

A member of the Topeka Police Department since 1998, Heather Stults-Lindsay is dedicated to investigating child abuse cases. Her compassion and tenacity have won her the admiration and respect of not only her colleagues, but also the families whose lives have been upset by the abuse. As a victim's advocate, Stults-Lindsay works to ensure the safety of child abuse victims is priority.

According to Kelly Stephens, Prairie Advocacy Center Director, "We are proud to have her as a member of our team who has an open mind, a fresh perspective and great compassion." Detective Stults-Lindsay was also honored as "2008 Child Advocate of the Year" by the Prairie Advocacy Center.

Lt. Detective Tracey Faucett, Crawford County Sheriff’s Department
More than ten years ago, Lieutenant Detective Tracy Faucett recognized a problem – she was concerned about children who bravely disclosed their abuse, yet seemed to fall through the cracks after making their disclosure. Detective Faucett became part of a small group of dedicated professionals who sought to change the system in Crawford County. They created a multidisciplinary team, secured community support and began to provide services to victims of abuse.

Detective Faucett participated in the development of the CAC’s Child Abuse protocol, which was signed in 2003. Today, the Pittsburg Children’s Advocacy Center serves abused children in Crawford, Bourbon and Cherokee counties. Detective Faucett continues to be the “go to” person in the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department when child sexual abuse cases are reported. She is active in the work of the CAC, lending her experience, expertise and compassion to her work as an interviewer, Case Review Team member and peer reviewer.

Detective Faucett has left a permanent mark on the handling of child abuse cases in her community. According to Sandy Morris, Executive Director, “I can honestly say that the Children's Advocacy Center would not be what it is today without the participation of Tracy Faucett.”