Page 69 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2025

fully understand at the time, but I was engaged in a fight for the safety and well-being of children, a fight that would continue for decades to come.
THE POWER OF CHILD ADVOCACY STUDIES
I concentrated on inspiring a new generation of students through my teaching in psychology and sociology, with little thought that my path would intersect with child advocacy again. In 2015, representatives from Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, alongside state officials and leaders from Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), unveiled an ambitious plan: to implement a national curriculum called Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) across colleges and universities in the state.
This “Mississippi Model” became a national benchmark, preparing students to prevent child maltreatment and advocate effectively for children. CAST has transformed higher education in Mississippi, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to address the complex realities of child advocacy. Students enter these programs hoping to make a difference. They leave with the tools necessary to improve the lives of children. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: A CORNERSTONE OF CAST
In 2015, I was appointed Chair of the Social Science Division at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Shortly after, I was approached with an opportunity to help introduce CAST to our campus. Despite having moved on from direct child advocacy work, I found myself drawn back into the field I thought I had left behind. Three of us attended One Loud Voice Conference, a statewide conference on child abuse hosted by Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, and I quickly reconnected with the child advocacy community.
A hallmark of CAST is its emphasis on experiential learning. In 2017, I learned from the One Loud Voice Conference that students engage in real-world scenarios through case studies, problem-based simulations, and interactions with child advocacy professionals. I knew child advocacy, and I knew classroom instruction. I didn’t yet know how to blend these two worlds together in my context. This hands-on approach sharpens students’ critical thinking and equips them with practical skills to succeed in the field. Yet, I was uncertain how I would make experiential learning a reality in my context.
Reflecting on my own forensic interview training at CornerHouse in Minneapolis, I recall the deep dive into child development, linguistics, and psychology. Simulation-based learning, including peer-reviewed mock interviews, prepared me to advocate effectively for children. This training set my career in motion. I know that CAST would effectively replicate this immersive preparation, ensuring students are practice-ready as they enter the workforce.
ADDRESSING WORKFORCE CHALLENGES
I quickly worked to recommend that Co-Lin adopt “Perspectives in Child Maltreatment” at our instructional council. The college unanimously approved the measure, and we began teaching the course in the Spring of 2019. A year later, I
continued grappling with the need for experiential, “simulation” training.
The emotionally demanding nature of child
advocacy work often leads to high turnover rates. CAST addresses this challenge by preparing students to navigate the realities of the field while emphasizing self-care and resilience. This balanced approach helps graduates remain committed to their mission despite the challenges.
In the Spring of 2020, as we all remember, the COVID-19 pandemic ruined all hope for face-to-face instruction. Almost overnight, the entire child advocacy community was forced to move simulation training online. Furthermore, I would soon learn that my Perspectives in Child Maltreatment course would be offered exclusively online.
A LEGACY OF IMPACT
In the Fall of 2021, I was selected as a sub-grant award recipient by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi. This funding allowed the realization of a dream brought forth by the necessity of a global pandemic and a lasting desire
to help the next generation of child advocates. CAST has profoundly influenced child protection efforts in Mississippi, producing graduates equipped to prevent, identify, and respond to child maltreatment. These students bring their passion and expertise to diverse fields, including education, healthcare, and social services, serving as advocates for the most vulnerable.
Looking back, I could never have imagined how my work in 2006 would intertwine with the impact of CAST. Through teaching and involvement in this program, I have witnessed firsthand how it transforms students into passionate, skilled advocates.
In 2022, students on the campus of Copiah-Lincoln Community College formed a student organization to raise awareness of child advocacy issues. Child Advocacy Response and Education for Students (CARES) meets monthly and invites child abuse professionals and child advocates to engage students to make a difference.
Over four CARES students have been placed in paid internships through the Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, and three have received scholarships to study social work at the University of Southern Mississippi. Several CARES students are now pursuing a CAST minor at institutions throughout the state.
For me, this journey has come full circle. What began as a career I thought I had left behind has become a lifelong battle for the safety and welfare of children. I am honored to be part of this fifight, a believe it is a fifight we must win.
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This awareness campaign is part of a statewide initiative of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi to educate communities on this important issue.