LOCAL AND STATE LEADERS HONOR NORTHERN KENTCUKY CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

City of Florence proclaims August 9 Vickie Henderson Day

for 30 years of service

 FLORENCE, Ky. –July 28^th marked thirty years of personal dedication, unlimited compassion, and boundless energy to the NKYCAC for Vickie Henderson, who currently is the Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center (NKYCAC).

 The Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center is a nonprofit organization that provides services to children who have been sexually abused, severely physically abused and who have witnessed violent crimes. NKYCAC is in Florence and sees over 800 abused children a year.

 Because of her endless service to the Children of NKY, Mayor of Florence Diane Whalen issues a proclamation naming August 9 Vickie Henderson Day in Florence. The proclamation states “Vickie continues to serve as a beacon of hope for abused children everywhere and serves as an example, inspiration and leader to all who know her.”

 “There is no one more dedicated in the fight to protect Kentucky’s children than Vickie Henderson. For those kids who have suffered horrible abuse, both physical and sexual, Vickie is their protector, she is their champion,” said Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney, Michelle Snodgrass. Snodgrass has worked with Henderson for years and she also sits on the Board of Directors at NKYCAC.

 “Over the last 30 years, her goal has always been the same – to end the trauma for the children she sees, so that when they walk out of the center, they know they are not just victims, but they are survivors,” added Snodgrass.

  Senator Wil Schroeder presented Henderson in-person with a proclamation from the Kentucky Senate to recognize and honor her 30 years of service.

 Representative Rachel Roberts presented Henderson with a Career Achievement Award from the Kentucky House of Representatives.

 Henderson also received a Kentucky Colonel honor from Governor Andy Beshear. The commission of Kentucky Colonel is the highest honor bestowed by the Governor of KentuckyIt is recognition of an individual’s noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to our community, state, and nation.

 Vickie Henderson conducted her first forensic interview in 1992, becoming the first forensic interviewer employed by a children’s advocacy center in Kentucky. Since then, Henderson has conducted over 5,000 child forensic interviews, was instrumental in forming the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky, lobbied, and testified before the state legislature, wrote CAC related state statutes, and inspired all those around her to advocate and crusade for children who have been abused.

 In the past 30 years, her leadership and vision moved NKYCAC from a hospital-based organization to the first center in Kentucky to gain National Children’s Alliance accreditation and advanced the Center from a grassroots effort to a thriving agency that is a model for other centers in Kentucky and beyond. In 2008 in collaboration with the cities of Florence and Ft. Thomas she worked to obtain community block grant funding to build the current NKYCAC in Florence, KY which was the first free-standing custom-built CAC in the Commonwealth.

 Henderson’s impact stretches nationally as she worked with the National Children’s Alliance for years as a site reviewer, traveling to other CACs to evaluate and strengthen their services. She is continually expanding her knowledge and bringing new concepts back to Kentucky to improve operations and ensure best practices at NKYCAC.  She has made it her life’s work to provide child victims with the most effective and compassionate services, so they have the opportunity to achieve a successful and healthy life.

It’s Really about the Kids.

There are three million reports of suspected child abuse or neglect in the United States every year. One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before age 18.

In Northern Kentucky, this means 25,000 children could be affected by this horrific crime and need support from Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center (NKYCAC), the only center of its kind in the region.

The NKYCAC offers services that respond to the concerns of child abuse in a child-focused environment, offering prevention, evaluation and treatment to children and families.  Reporting abuse is one of the most important steps you can take to protect children.  If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, you must call the Child Protection Hot Line or your local police department. If the child is in immediate danger, CALL 911.

Help Us. Help Them.

The Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center is a nonprofit organization.

All donations are tax deductible.  To make a donation click below: