Funding issues lead local Child Advocacy Center to merge with like centers in Cheshire & Hillsborough counties
LACONIA — The Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center here is among four centers that have merged to become the Granite State Children’s Alliance, which as the state chapter of the National Children’s Alliance provides coordinated and comprehensive services to the victims of child abuse at locations in Belknap, Cheshire and Hillsborough counties.
The center will partner with Hillsborough County Child Advocacy Center, Monadnock Region Chiled Advocacy Center and the New Hampshire Network of Child Advocacy Centers to form the Alliance.
Operating to national standards, child advocacy centers pursue the truth in child abuse cases and provide social services to young victims.. By bringing together law enforcement, county attorneys, protective services, victim advocacy agencies and health professionals, they provide safe, secure locations for interviewing child victims, coordinating the investigative team and assisting the victim’s recovery.
Former Belknap County Attorney Lauren Noether, who has long contributed to the work of the Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center, said that as a non-profit organization, funded by grants and contributions, the center has operated “on a shore string.” Moreover, Meghan Noyes, the lone full-time paid staff person, is responsible not only for coordinating and conducting all the forensic interviews but also for managing operations, fundraising and outreach. “She has had a lot on her plate just keeping the place afloat,” Noether said.
With the onset of the recession, the financial challenges to the center mounted, prompting the lay-off of its part-time interviewer. “We were not sure how long we could keep the doors open,” Noether said.
The board of directors approached Kristie Palestino, executive director of the New Hampshire Network of Child Advocacy, who in turn met with New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney. Initially the centers were founded with federal funds distributed to the states by the United States Department of Justice.
“Charities have been forced to do more with less, Palestino, who will head the merged entity, told the Nashua Telegraph. “This merger gives us economies of scale, reducing our combined costs and allowing us to fund raise more effectively.”
Noether said that “the merger will enable Meghan (Noyes) to do what she does best — coordinating and conducting interviews, making referrals for other services and doing community outreach and education.”
She explained that the board of directors of the Granite State Children’s Alliance will set policy while the boards of the regional affiliates will become advisory. “This will ensure the quality of the work we do and the services we provide,” Noether said. She added that while the Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center would continue its fundraising efforts, it would also draw financial strength from the broader alliance.
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