Special Events
- JULY 15th
- Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County, Inc. Celebrates 20 Years
CHATTANOOGA, TN — The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County (CACHC) is excited to kick–off its 20th Anniversary Celebration Year with a “Volunteer & Donor Recognition Luncheon” on Thursday, July 15, 2010. The luncheon will be held at The United Way Building. A keynote address will be given by Pete Cooper, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. Awards will be given to honor some of the CACHC’s hard working volunteers and generous donors. Award to be given out include the Curtis L. Collier Individual Volunteer of the Year, Corporate Volunteer of the Year, and the Emeline W. Haney Award.
- The CACHC staff, Board of Directors, and the 20th Anniversary Committee are planning several events throughout this fiscal year to help celebrate the positive impact the agency has had on alleged child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse in Hamilton County and surrounding counties in Southeast Tennessee. Some of the celebrations include our annual “Song for the Children” concert featuring Vince Gill on Thursday, November 4, 2010; a Holiday Open House in December 2010; a Donor Reception hosted by Senator and Mrs.
Andy Berke in February 2011; and“Fish & Chips” on May 13, 2011.
- The CACHC was established as a private, non-profit agency in 1990 and originally opened its doors on Georgia Avenue. The Center’s mission is to serve children who are alleged victims of sexual and severe physical abuse through prevention, education and intervention. The Center provides evaluation and treatment for abused children and their non-offending families by providing: forensic interviews, counseling, medical examinations, prevention education, advocacy and coordination of the various public agencies involved with a child’s case.
- In late 1991 renovations of its Vine Street location were completed and the agency moved into the house it still calls “home”. The house has seen many changes throughout its 20 years, including renovations of the third floor and basement – utilizing the entire building as office space.
- The CACHC has received numerous awards and accolades during its short 20 years including “Best Project” from the City of Chattanooga Office of Economic and Community Development (1993), National Association of Social Workers “Agency of the Year” (1996), and WTCI’s “Be More Award – Collaborative”
(2010). The CACHC and its staff are also members of several professional organizations such as the National Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, the Tennessee Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers, and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC).
- The CACHC is fully accredited by the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), with its most recent accreditation review in September 2009. Accredited membership in NCA requires that programs meet ten standards. These standards ensure effective, efficient and consistent delivery of services. CACHC forensic interviewers and counselors also receive extensive annual training and participate in a statewide peer review process.
- The CACHC receives grant funding at the federal, state, and local levels based on the services provided to alleged child victims of abuse and their non-offending caregivers. Annually the agency raises approximately half of its annual operating budget. Last fiscal year, the Center served more than 460 children and made abuse prevention presentations to more than 10,000 individuals. For more information on the Donor & Volunteer Recognition Luncheon contact Cathy Eldahan.
- TOP

Board of Directors
- Leslie Ray, Chair
- Donyale Grove, Chair-Elect
- Shonnie Scruggs, 1st Vice Chair
- Randy Brown, Secretary
- Carolyn Holmquist, Treasurer
- Monique Berke, Past–Chair
- J.B. Bennett
- Amanda Buchanan
- Missy Bradley
- Adera Causey
- Annamaria Church
- Kelly Coffelt
- Rusty Cross
- Leah Gerbitz–Becksvoort
- Jay Helton
- Mark Huth
- Michael Lawley
- Russell Lively
- Janet McConnell
- Allison Mills
- Lisa Montelongo–Connor
- Jennifer Presley
- Ketha Richardson
- Jeff Sikes
- Mark Stokes
- Emmy Haney, Lifetime Member