The GSCA Staff
Kristie Palestino
Executive Director, Granite State Children’s Alliance
Kristie opened the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County in 2004 and has since conducted over 2500 forensic interviews of children. In 2010 Kristie became Director of the New Hampshire Network of Child Advocacy Centers, providing training and technical assistance to all Child Advocacy Centers in the state. As one of the state’s first forensic interviewers, Kristie provides annual Forensic Interview Training and Advanced Forensic Interview training to multi-disciplinary team members across New Hampshire. Kristie contributes actively in the national CAC movement by participating in the Leadership, Exchange and Coaching projects with the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center and contracting with National Children’s Alliance as an accreditation site reviewer. Kristie is committed to ensuring that all children in New Hampshire have access to the high quality, comprehensive services of a Child Advocacy Center.
Meghan Noyes
Program Director, Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center, Belknap County
Meghan joined the Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center in January 2007 as an interview coordinator. She was trained in forensic interviewing of children at the National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama in February 2007, and was promoted to Acting Director of the GLCAC in February 2008. Meghan has conducted nearly 1000 forensic interviews of children between the ages of 2 and 18. In addition to her work at the Child Advocacy Center, Meghan’s work with children includes volunteer work with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Northern Carroll County Youth Diversion Program. She also works as a part-time certified police officer for Plymouth State University Police Department. Meghan is committed to the development of child advocacy centers in New Hampshire and continuing her efforts of bringing partners together to create the safety and community support children need to grow and flourish in our community.
Atonya Hart
Program Director, Monadnock Region Child Advocacy Center, Cheshire County
Atonya joined the Monadnock Region Child Advocacy Center in February 2007 as Director. Prior to becoming Director of MRCAC, she worked with the Division of Children Youth and Families where she became a trained forensic interviewer in 2000. Atonya has conducted over a 1000 forensic interviews of children. She is trained in advanced forensic interview techniques, and is nationally certified to deliver Stewards of Children, an evidence-based sexual abuse prevention program. Atonya is committed to collaborating with partner agencies to provide quality and timely services for all children living in the Cheshire community.
Shelby Trahan
Program Director, Hillsborough County Child Avocacy Center, Hillsborough County
Shelby joined the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County in 2007 as the program coordinator for its Manchester site. A seasoned forensic interviewer, Shelby has provided comprehensive interviews for nearly 1000 children. Shelby is able to conduct extended evaluations for children who need more than one session to disclose their story of abuse. As program director, Shelby is responsible for the timely scheduling of all interviews and monitoring the quality of interviews through a peer review process. Shelby is nationally certified to deliver Stewards of Children, an evidence-based sexual abuse prevention program. Shelby is interested in enhancing the programming offered by the Child Advocacy Center to include more support for children and families who visit the center.
Nicole Martini
Development Director, Granite State Children’s Alliance
Nicole joined the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County in 2008 as the program coordinator for the Nashua site after working for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County for three years. It was at Suffolk County where Nicole first became passionate about child abuse and prevention. A highly trained forensic interviewer, Nicole has provided forensic interviews for more than 800 children. Nicole is sensitive to the special needs of children and tailors her interviews to make every child feel comfortable and listened to. Nicole is nationally certified to deliver Stewards of Children, an evidence-based sexual abuse prevention program. In addition, Nicole is often found in the community educating others about Child Advocacy Centers, how to recognize signs of sexual abuse and strategies for keeping children safe.
Erin Battis
Program Coordinator & Forensic Interviewer, Hillsborough Child Advocacy Center – Manchester
Erin joined the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County in 2010 as a forensic interviewer for the Manchester site. Erin completed a forty hour forensic interviewer training at the National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Erin was an Americorp Advocate placed at the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County for an entire year before becoming an official employee of the agency. As an Americorp Advocate, Erin served in the capacity of intake coordinator, responding to the needs of families and community team members. Erin has years of experience working with children as a kindergarten teacher and afterschool program coordinator.
Jennifer Deroian
Program Coordinator & Forensic Interviewer, Hillsborough Child Advocacy Center – Nashua
Jennifer joined the Child Advocacy Center as the program coordinator for the Nashua site in 2011 after working for the State of New Hampshire, Division for Children, Youth and Families for four years. Jennifer provided comprehensive safety assessments for children in need of safety intervention as well as provided outreach for children and families in need of services. Prior to working in New Hampshire, Jennifer worked in the private sector as a Clinical Coordinator/Crisis Worker for Massachusetts Mentor in the Boston area office. Jennifer worked closely with abused and neglected children in specialized foster care providing services and support to children suffering from significant trauma histories. Over the past seven years of her social work career Jennifer has remained passionate about child safety and community outreach.
Lynn Weitzel
Office Manager, Granite State Children’s Alliance
Lynn joined the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County in 2011 as the Office Manager. She is responsible for maintaining the financial records for the agency and keeps the office running smoothly.
