The Children’s Advocacy Center for the 31st Judicial District has conducted recent elections for its 2017-18 Executive Committee.
The board recently elected Rick Perez as president, Bill Brock as vice president, Tracie McCord as secretary, Dianne Gillespie as treasurer, and Lisa Zavogiannis as immediate past president.
Directors include Peggy Bratcher, Ryle Chastain, Cassell Galligan-Davis, Ricky Hodge, Osvaldo Lopez, Beth Saunders, and Ray Talbert.
The Children’s Advocacy Center, established in October 2000, is a 501(c)3 organization whose primary mission is to provide comprehensive intervention, investigation, advocacy and healing for children identified as victims of severe abuse and their non-offending caregivers.
Since its establishment, dedicated team members have helped more than 2,000 Warren County and Van Buren County children through the child abuse allegation process and tens of thousands of children with child abuse prevention education.
Said Zavogiannis, “One of the things I am most proud of is our prevention education, where we go out into the schools and teach children how to stay safe. It has made a difference in the lives of many children.” 
“CAC is one of the biggest assets within our district,” Zavogiannis continued. “Through the hard work of the staff, board of directors, child protective team and volunteers, we have helped many children, achieved national accreditation, and we have been supported by the community, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain operation.
The physical, sexual and emotional maltreatment of children is a major issue to the overall health and welfare of society. There were 71,979 reports of child maltreatment in Tennessee in 2016, according to the Department of Children Services’ report Assigned Investigation and Assessment Counts, with 759 cases reported within Warren and Van Buren counties.
“It is an honor to represent this district as a steward in what I believe is our most precious resource, our children” said Perez. “As incoming president, I intend to maintain the high standards Lisa Z. has set for the CAC. I appreciate her many years of dedication and her leadership. I look forward to working alongside her on future endeavors.”
Without the services of the Children’s Advocacy Center these child victims would have been left unidentified, subjected to a continuation of abuse and probably face a lifetime of adversity.
If you know or suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call 1-877-237-0004 to report your suspicion. Child abuse reports may be anonymous. 
To learn more about Children’s Advocacy Center and its services visit www.childadvocacycenter31.org or call 507-2386.