Paulding Child
Advocacy Center
Prevention
Intervention
Advocacy
In light of ongoing health concerns regarding the spread of COVID, our office takes extra precautions for the safety of our clients, staff, and community partners. The office, specifically public use spaces, will be cleaned and disinfected as thoroughly as possible between each family's visit.
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About PCAC
The Paulding Child Advocacy Center (PCAC) provides a neutral environment to talk with children. Our home-like setting allows children involved in abuse investigations to be interviewed by trained professionals in a friendly and comfortable environment. We assist in the coordination of investigations so that the various involved agencies work together for the best outcomes.
PCAC History
In August 2000, the Paulding Division of Family and Children Services and Paulding County Sheriff's Office began referring cases to the child advocacy center in Rome, Georgia (Harbor House). After more than 60 Paulding families were served by Harbor House, local agencies agreed that a center was needed in Paulding County to better serve the community. In 2003, land was donated and the Paulding Homebuilders Association began construction on what is now our current facility. Harbor House continued to provide trained staff to conduct forensic interviews at PCAC from 2004 through April 2017. In May 2017, PCAC became an independent center with its own staff and expanded services from not only forensic interviewing but also on-site therapy and specialized training for community members/professionals.
PCAC Staff
PCAC's staff consists of a full time Executive Director, Program Administrator, Forensic Interviewer, and Family Advocate. Part-time volunteer family advocates (through internships) assist full-time staff in the daily operations of the center.
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Ivy Capps, MS, joined PCAC in November 2018 as Executive Director. She has over 28 years of experience in
social services and advocacy, 20 of which were spent at child advocacy centers around the southeast. Ivy
has conducted more than 1,500 interviews and feels that working at a child advocacy center is a 'calling'
for her. To contact Ivy, email ivyc@pauldingcac.org.
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Sara Butler, BS, joined our Center in March 2024 as Forensic Interviewer. She comes to us from a child
advocacy center in Utah. She has a degree in Marriage and Family Studies from Brigham Young University-
Idaho. Sara has experience in child care and education, and knows American Sign Language. You can
contact Sara at sarab@pauldingcac.org.
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Latanza-LaSha' Abaurre, BA/BS, joined PCAC in February 2024 as our Family Advocate. Latanza-LaSha' (also
known as 'Lala') interned with PCAC several years ago while pursuing her degrees - she's come full circle you
might say! Lala assists families as they navigate the sometimes overwhelming process of abuse
investigations by offering support, guidance, and needed community resources. You can contact Lala at
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2023-2024 Intern Staff: Arkeyshaw Caldwell (Troy University); Lindsey Delgado-Harris (UGA); Tajzhai McCray (UGA); Annie Natson (Walden University)
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PCAC Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors are volunteers from the community who dedicate themselves to the operation and mission of PCAC
President - Narda Konchel
Secretary - Dr. Karniese Daniel
Treasurer - Alex Crenshaw
Members - Tracy Brown, Brandon Chason, Katie Coleman, James Fisher, Selena Jackson-Guines, Amy Womack
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Kelly McFearin, BA, joined PCAC in January 2018 as Program Administrator after 9 years as Administrator/Family
Advocate at Harbor House CAC. Thanks to her affiliation with that center and it's involvement with Paulding law
enforcement and DFCS, she had existing professional relationships with the Paulding community and thus made
a smooth transition from Harbor House to PCAC. She has more than 26 years of experience in social services and
child advocacy. To contact Kelly, email kellym@pauldingcac.org.
Paulding Child Advocacy Center is supported in part by the Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia, Inc. and the Department of Human Services-Division of Family and Children Services through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly.
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The center is also supported in part by federal grants administered by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
