Paulding Child
Advocacy Center
Prevention
Intervention
Advocacy
In light of the health concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19, our office is taking 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.
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 Coordinator, and Clinical Coordinator. Part-time volunteer therapists and family advocates (through internships) assist full-time staff in the daily operations of the center.
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.
Mikayla Dittman, LMSW, joined PCAC's staff in October 2021. She previously worked with us as an intern then as a
contract therapist before becoming our full-time Therapist/Family Advocate. In March 2023, she assumed a new
role within the agency and now serves as our Forensic Coordinator. Mikayla has worked with several
advocacy centers as an intern and volunteer, and she has several years experience working in clinical settings
with children. To contact Mikayla, email mikaylad@pauldingcac.org.
Phaina Dubuisson, MSW, joined PCAC in May 2023 as our new Clinical Coordinator! She started out as an intern
and volunteer at the center and officially joined the team after completing her Master’s degree in Social Work.
As a Paulding County native, Phaina wanted to bring her clinical skills back to the community. Phaina has
experience in the mental health field and will be utilizing her skills by assisting with family advocacy and
therapy. To contact Phaina, email phainad@pauldingcac.org.
2022-2023 Intern Staff: Courtney Godwins (KSU), Jasmine James (KSU), and Katie Reid (KSU)
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 Parker, Amy Womack
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 25 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.
The center is also supported in part by federal grants administered by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
