News & Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2012
Contact: Leslie McEwan
270-994-3063

CHILD WATCH CAC ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PADUCAH, KY – Child Watch Children's Advocacy Center announces that Lee Emmons has been hired as the agency's Executive Director. In this role, Lee will direct the provision of services Child Watch delivers to area children who have been abused or neglected, including counseling and therapy services, the McCracken County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, and comprehensive abuse prevention education programs.

Previously, Lee worked in nonprofit marketing and management for the Anne Grady Center, an agency serving adults with mental retardation, and for Ohio State University's Agricultural Business Enhancement Center, both in Northwest Ohio. Locally, she has held positions in marketing at Murray State University's Paducah Regional Campus and taught communications courses at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, in addition to managing several contract and freelance projects. Most recently, Lee worked as a writer and associate editor for Mazzone Communications.

Lee has a Master's Degree in Organizational Communications from Murray State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication from Morehead State University. She is a graduate of Leadership Paducah and has been named a Woman of Achievement by Paducah/River City Business and Professional Women. Lee serves as an elder at First Presbyterian Church and is an active volunteer with Paducah City Schools. Lee is married to Alan Noneman and they have three children.

Child Watch provided direct services to more than 500 individuals last year and educational programs on abuse prevention to 11,000 students in McCracken and surrounding counties. The nonprofit agency has been serving victims of abuse since 1984. All of the Center's services are provided to recipients free of charge.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2010
Contact: Sara Bynum
601-842-6297

CHILD WATCH CAC BOARD ANNOUNCES
DIRECTOR RETIREMENT

PADUCAH, KY – The Child Watch Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. Board of Directors announced yesterday that Sandy Fellows, its executive director, is retiring from the organization. She has been with Child Watch CAC since 1985.

“This organization will always hold a special place in my heart,” said Fellows. “It has been my privilege to serve as a voice for children, as well as work with the court system and law enforcement officials to provide the best environment for the victims of child abuse.”

Fellows joined Child Watch CAC in 1985, serving first as a volunteer, a board member, then as executive director for the past twenty years.

“Sandy has given children and families hope and confidence,” said Child Watch CAC Board President Steve Meiners. “She is an advocate for children needing help. We are grateful to her for raising community awareness and prevention of child abuse and neglect.”

Under her leadership, Fellows helped bring in the CASA Project of McCracken County to Child Watch CAC, expanded early-prevention education classes to Purchase Area schools and increased the number of counseling and therapy services offered to children and non-offending parents.

Lois Smith, former Child Watch board member and immediate past president, will serve as the interim executive director. Smith is a licensed social worker with 40 years experience with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Child Watch CAC has specialized in working with child abuse victims since 1984 and provides a child-friendly environment for the evaluation, treatment and prevention of child abuse.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2009
Contact: Sandra Fellows
270-443-1440

"Cards for Kids" Texas Hold'em Fundraiser

Download Application Here

PADUCAH, KY – Child Watch Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. will host the third annual "Cards for Kids" Texas Hold’em Tournament on Thursday, November 12th at the Carson Center in Paducah. A cash bar reception will be held at 5:45 p.m., and the tournament will begin at 6:45 p.m.

“We invite players of all skill levels to participate in our tournament,” said Rick Leeper, Co-Chair with Misty Anderson of Federal Materials. “We hope players and spectators will enjoy the tournament, as well as become familiar with the programs and assistance that the Child Watch CAC provides for child abuse victims in the eight county region that we serve.”

Call 270-443-1440 to register. Entry fee is $100 and $12 for spectators. Open to the first 200 players. Prizes include: First Prize: $1,000 plus a week in SanDestin, Florida; Second Prize: $500.00 plus a weekend on a Kentucky Lake Houseboat; and Third Prize: $250.00 plus 2 Predator tickets and one night stay in Nashville. There will be a "Silent Auction" and Backwoods BBQ will provide a buffet for the players and spectators.

Child Watch CAC, a non-profit, grassroots organization was founded in 1984 and is the only accredited CAC in western Kentucky. The Child Watch CAC provides a child-friendly environment for the prevention, evaluation and treatment of child abuse victims in the Purchase Area. For more information, please call the office at: (270)443-1440 or Toll Free: (866)443-1440.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2009
Contact: Sarah Bynum
270-217-9071

LEADERSHIP PADUCAH CLASS 22 TO HOST TEXAS HOLD EM TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT CHILD WATCH CAC

PADUCAH, KY – Child Watch Children’s Advocacy Center recognized April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month Thursday with a ceremony that included a proclamation presentation from McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry and City of Paducah Public Information Officer Pam Spenser. Dr. Kayla Mason, pediatric section chief at Western Baptist Hospital, and Cathy Elliott, marketing director for McDonald’s and Ronald McDonald House Charities, were recognized. County Attorney Dan Boaz was the featured speaker. Photos from the event are attached.

Dr. Kayla Mason receives the Voices of Our Children award.

(From left): Joni Goodman, business development manager for Keeforce and Leadership Paducah Class 22 spokesperson, and Brandon Clifton, BB&T Bank Branch Manager and fellow Leadership Paducah classmate.

Cathy Elliott, marketing director for McDonald’s and Ronald McDonald House Charities, is recognized for her company’s involvement with Child Watch’s Prevention Partnership program.

(From left): Dr. Kayla Mason; Rod Devore, vice president of Child Watch CAC’s board of directors; Susan Guess, chair of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors; McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry; and City of Paducah Public Information Officer Pam Spenser break ground for the Wall of Heroes Memorial as Paducah Area Chamber President Elaine Spalding stands by.

Leadership Paducah Class 22 selected Child Watch CAC as their 2009 graduation project. The class will host two upcoming events to raise money for Child Watch CAC. Events include a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament on Thursday, April 23 at the Carson Center and a Middle School Dance on Saturday, May 2 at the Sportsplex.

Brick plates for the Wall of Heroes memorial are available for purchase at $25, $50, $100 and $1,000 levels by calling Child Watch 270-443-1440. In-kind sponsors include Varble Masonry and Midwest Block and Brick. Donations to the project may be made through Child Watch CAC’s Web site, www.childwatchcac.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2009
Contact: Sarah Bynum
270-217-9071

LEADERSHIP PADUCAH CLASS 22 TO HOST TEXAS HOLD EM TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT CHILD WATCH CAC

PADUCAH, KY – The Leadership Paducah Class 22 of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Texas Hold’Em Tournament to benefit Child Watch Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. on Thursday, April 23 at the Carson Center in Paducah, KY. The event will be sponsored by Murtco Mechanical/Utility Contractors and the United States Enrichment Corporation. A cash bar reception will be held at 5:45 p.m. and the tournament will begin at 6:45 p.m.

“We invite players of all skill levels to participate in our tournament,” said Kritt Allbritten, Leadership Paducah Class 22 event spokesperson. “We hope players and spectators will enjoy the tournament, as well as become familiar with the programs and assistance Child Watch CAC provides to the eight Purchase Area counties.”

Child Watch CAC, founded in 1984, provides a child-friendly environment for the prevention, evaluation and treatment of child abuse and neglect in the Purchase Area.

For registration information, please call 270-443-1440. Entry fee is $100 and $12 for spectators. The event is open to the first 200 people that register. The first place winner will receive a percentage of the entry fees paid. There will also be a “Mystery Diamond” Auction held throughout the event. The tournament will be catered by Backwoods BBQ.

Leadership Paducah, a program of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is designed to foster an in-depth understanding of Paducah-McCracken County’s many and complex interrelationships. The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization of diverse economic interests, unified to provide services to its members and leadership promoting economic development in Paducah/McCracken County and the region. Visit us on the website at www.paducahchamber.org or contact Stacy Thomas at 270-443-1746 for more information about the Leadership Paducah program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2009
Contact: Sarah Bynum
270-217-9071

WALL OF HEROES MEMORIAL TO RECOGNIZE CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN

PADUCAH, KY – The Leadership Paducah Class 22 has selected Child Watch
Children's Advocacy Center, Inc. as recipients of their 2008-2009
graduation project. The class will help build a "Wall of Heroes"
memorial to recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate a
genuine concern for the welfare and best interests of children.

Each honoree will be listed on a brick plate attached to each brick.
Brick plates are available for purchase at $25, $50, $100 and $1000
levels. Each brick plate ordered will be acknowledged and confirmed
with a certificate. To purchase a brick plate, please call
270-442-5496 or 270-443-1440.

Brick plates will also be available for purchase at the Home and
Garden Show February 27-29 in Paducah.

The "Wall of Heroes" will stretch the length of the front yard at the
Child Watch CAC facility located on Jefferson Street in Paducah, KY.
In kind sponsors include Varble Masonry and Midwest Block and Brick.

Donations to this project may be made through Child Watch CAC's
web-site, www.childwatchcac.org.

Child Watch CAC will host a dedication ceremony on Wednesday, April 1
at 2PM in recognition of April's Child Abuse Prevention Month. The
memorial wall will also be unveiled. This event is open to the public.

Leadership Paducah is an educational program sponsored through the
Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce and aims to strengthen participants'
community involvement.

Child Watch CAC, founded in 1984, provides a child-friendly
environment for the prevention, evaluation and treatment of child
abuse and neglect in the Purchase Area.

Child Watch offers an array of other free services:

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Program) - providing volunteers who have been screened, take specialized training and are sworn in by the Family Court Judge to investigate, monitor, facilitate and advocate for the "Best Interests" of abused/neglected children who are in the court system.

Child Abuse/Abduction Prevention Education Program - providing trained instructors to teach child abuse/abduction prevention to children in the school systems.

Children's Medical Clinic - providing physicians with specialized training who conduct sexual abuse examinations to all child victims who are referred by Community Based Services and Law Enforcement Agencies.

Community Awareness Program - providing information and education on child abuse to the community through a Speaker's Bureau, community events and the media.

Counseling/Therapy Programs - providing therapist who make available mental health screenings, assessments, individual therapy, crisis counseling, case management, referrals and support groups.

Forensic Interviewing - providing specialized staff, rooms and equipment to Law Enforcement and the Department for Community Based Services to interview child abuse victims.

Court Advocates - providing advocates for child victims and their non-offending families who testify in court.