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The SRCAC Exchange

The SRCAC Exchange

By: Southern Regional Children's Advocacy Center
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 The SRCAC Exchange is a podcast by and for professionals in the field of child abuse prevention and intervention. Created by the Southern Regional Children's Advocacy Center, this show covers a wide variety of topics around the CAC model, child advocacy, multidisciplinary teams, and emerging trends in the field. Economics Management Management & Leadership
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Episodes
  • S3E7: Narrating Joy: Unveiling a CE-CERT tool

    S3E7: Narrating Joy: Unveiling a CE-CERT tool
    May 12 2025
    S3E7: Narrating Joy: Unveiling a CE-CERT tool Imagine if your career satisfaction and well-being depended on the narrative you create about your work. In this episode, we delve into the Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) approach, focusing on the domain of conscious narrative and its crucial role in sustaining professionals in the child abuse field. Dr. Brian Miller, the developer of the CE-CERT model, and Karen Hangartner, Director of Professional Services with the National Children’s Advocacy Center, share their insights on how this concept is influencing the CAC community. Join us as we explore how transforming our conscious narrative can help us foster a deeper love for our work. Download Transcript Guests: Karen Hangartner, LMSW Director of Professional Services National Children’s Advocacy Center Brian Miller, Ph.D. Author and Trainer Self-employed Show Notes: This episode of the "SRCAC Exchange" focuses on the importance of conscious narratives in the work of Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) professionals, particularly those dealing with child abuse. Today, Christina Rouse engages with experts Dr. Brian Miller, developer of the CE-CERT (Components for Enhancing Career Wellbeing and Reducing Trauma) model, and Karen Hangartner, Director of Professional Services at the National Children’s Advocacy Center. Together, they explore how the narratives professionals create about their work can either sustain or hinder their passion and commitment over time. They emphasize how the conscious narrative skill, one of the five domains of the CE-CERT model, helps professionals stay connected to their purpose and avoid burnout despite the challenges of working in high-trauma environments. Through personal reflections and research, the episode encourages CAC professionals to embrace their work by finding joy in even the difficult moments, using tools like conscious narrative practices to frame their experiences positively. It discusses how supportive supervision and organizational culture play crucial roles in helping individuals maintain career-sustaining narratives, which ultimately foster resilience. By practicing self-reflection and mindful narratives, professionals can better serve their communities while finding fulfillment and longevity in their careers. Hit the subscribe button now! Key Quotes: “The most distinctive characteristic of professionals who are passionate and committed is the content of their narrative.”- Brian Miller, PhD “We don’t have to be victims of this work.”- Karen Hangartner, LMSW Resources: Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress: Skills for Sustaining a Career in the Helping Professions by Brian C. Miller [Book] Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross [Book] The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare: CE-CERT [Website] Host: Christina Rouse, MSW Program Manager, CAC Development Southern Regional CAC Project Manager: Lauren Tanner, MSEd Program Manager, Communications & Instructional Design Southern Regional CAC Season Resources: CE-CERT Training [Training] Reset. Reflect. Refuel. Hub [Video Series] Psychological First Aid Guide for Children’s Advocacy Center Supervisors [Resource] Want to hear more? Subscribe to The SRCAC Exchange to be sure you don't miss an episode! Like what you hear? Show your support by leaving a rating and review for The SRCAC Exchange podcast. Connect with SRCAC by: Visiting our website Signing up for our emails Following us on Facebook & LinkedIn Contacting us Connect with your Chapter: Midwest Region Chapters Northeast Region Chapters Southern Region Chapters Western Region Chapters Connect to your Regional CAC National Children’s Advocacy Center Peachtree Sound Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Follow SRCAC on Facebook and LinkedIn for more learning content!
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    52 mins
  • S3E6: Staying Power: A case study of exceptional CAC staff retention

    S3E6: Staying Power: A case study of exceptional CAC staff retention
    May 5 2025
    Why do some professionals remain committed to children's advocacy despite the many challenges? In this episode, we explore the experiences of three long-serving Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) professionals who have navigated decades in this demanding field. Kay Phillips, Jennifer Gamble, and Robert Scott Steele share their stories, offering valuable insights into what drives their long-term dedication to child advocacy. Whether you’re facing struggles yourself or simply curious about the heart behind CAC work, this episode will remind you of the powerful impact of staying committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families. Download Transcript Guests: Jennifer Gamble, BSW Family Services Coordinator Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County, Inc. Kay W. Phillips, PhD, LISW-CP Executive Director Children In Crisis, Inc. Dorchester Children's Advocacy Center Robert Scott Steele, MSW, LGSW, LSW Senior Forensic Interviewer Harmony House Children's Advocacy Center Show notes: In this episode of the SRCAC Exchange, we focus on long-term dedication and resilience in the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) field. Hosted by Christina Rouse, the episode delves into the challenges and rewards of working in child advocacy, particularly through the stories of experienced professionals like Kay Phillips, Jennifer Gamble, and Robert Scott Steele. These guests share their journeys, motivations, and tips for maintaining passion in this emotionally demanding field. Kay discusses the importance of finding purpose and spirituality in her work, while Jennifer emphasizes the value of self-care and a supportive team, and Scott highlights the importance of trust in building relationships with children in forensic interviewing. The episode also tackles issues like high turnover rates in CACs and the need for mental and emotional resilience among child advocacy professionals. With statistics showing that only a small percentage of people in the field stay longer than 15 years, the guests offer insights on why they’ve stayed committed and how they manage the pressures of the job. Through their stories, this episode emphasizes the importance of support systems, self-care, and the profound impact of helping children, showing that dedication in this field is both rewarding and challenging. Hit the subscribe button now! Key Quotes: “For me personally, it was just a calling. My background is in business, but I went back to school because I wanted to give my life more purpose. I wanted to make a difference.”- Kay Phillips “If you’re going to be a social worker, you need a therapist. I see one regularly, and it helps keep me grounded and focused. Self-care is critical for longevity in this work.”- Jennifer Gamble “When a child feels safe enough to trust me, to tell me something they’ve never told anyone before, that’s what keeps me going. It’s the most rewarding feeling.” – Scott Steele Resources: National Children’s Alliance Children’s Advocacy Center’s Staffing and Salary Survey – May 2022 Report [Report] Safe Babies Court - SCIMHA [Website] Host: Christina Rouse, MSW Program Manager, CAC Development Southern Regional CAC Project Manager: Lauren Tanner, MSEd Program Manager, Communications & Instructional Design Southern Regional CAC Want to hear more? Subscribe to The SRCAC Exchange to be sure you don't miss an episode! Like what you hear? Show your support by leaving a rating and review for The SRCAC Exchange podcast. Connect with us by: Visiting our website Signing up for our emails Following us on Facebook & LinkedIn Contacting us Connect with your Chapter Midwest Region Chapters Northeast Region Chapters Southern Region Chapters Western Region Chapters Connect to your Regional CAC National Children’s Advocacy Center Peachtree Sound Sponsor: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Resources: CE-CERT Training [Training]
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    33 mins
  • S3E5: Unlocking Potential: Where and how future CAC professionals are emerging

    S3E5: Unlocking Potential: Where and how future CAC professionals are emerging
    Apr 28 2025
    How can Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) and Chapters cultivate the next generation of talent in the field? In this episode, we explore Mississippi's pioneering state-wide initiative that unlocks new potential for future professionals. Joining me are Karla Steckler Tye, CEO of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, and Didi Ellis, CEO and founder of Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center. Together, they share insights from their combined 25 years of experience, highlighting innovative programming and the transformative CAST program. We also hear from Addison Alexander, a CAST graduate, as she reflects on the value of her experience in shaping her career path. Download Transcript Guests: Didi Ellis Founder/CEO Kids Hub Children’s Advocacy Center Karla Steckler Tye, LPC Chief Executive Officer Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi Addison Alexander [Former CAST Student] Intake Coordinator Central Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center Show Notes: This episode of the SRCAC Exchange, hosted by Christina Rouse, delves into the theme of developing and retaining professionals in the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) movement. The discussion features guests Karla Steckler Tye, CEO of Children's Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, and DiDi Ellis, CEO of Kids Hub Child Advocacy Center. Today, they share their combined 25 years of experience and innovative approaches in addressing workforce turnover and highlight Mississippi’s pioneering efforts to implement Child Advocacy Studies (CAST), a program designed to prepare the next generation of professionals through interdisciplinary training and experiential learning. The discussion emphasizes the challenges that turnover creates, especially in rural areas like Mississippi, where the loss of a key staff member can disrupt services for children in need. Both Karla and DiDi explain how CAST helps fill these gaps by ensuring that students entering the CAC field are better prepared and equipped with the skills necessary to provide comprehensive care. They also share personal anecdotes, including how CAST has transformed student interns into long-term hires, effectively reducing turnover and enhancing the quality of care. We’ll also hear from a graduate of CAST who did her internship at a CAC and what she found so valuable about her experience. The episode offers a deep dive into how intentional recruitment, training, and strategic planning are essential to sustaining the CAC workforce for the future. Hit the subscribe button now! Key Quotes: “If we’re going to have true systematic change, we have to move upstream, and CAST is one way to prepare our workforce for the realities of this work.”- Karla Steckler Tye “With turnover, we’re not just losing employees; we’re impacting children’s lives. CAST interns are better prepared, and it has transformed the hiring process for us.”- DiDi Ellis Resources: The History of CAST in Mississippi [Video] 2024 CAST Informational Video - Mississippi [Video] "Unto the Third Generation" Revisited: The Impact of a National Plan to End Child Abuse in the United States within Three Generations” by Vieth, V., Cross, T. P., Peters, R., Johnson, R., Counsil, T., Farrell, R., Goulet, B., Steckler Tye, K. [Article] Child Advocacy Studies (CAST: A National Movement to Improve the Undergraduate and Graduate Training of Child Protection Professionals [Article] Executive Summary of our CAST Research [Summary] Host: Christina Rouse, MSW Program Manager, CAC Development Southern Regional CAC Project Manager: Lauren Tanner, MSEd Program Manager, Communications & Instructional Design Southern Regional CAC Want to hear more? Subscribe to The SRCAC Exchange to be sure you don't miss an episode! Like what you hear? Show your support by leaving a rating and review for The SRCAC Exchange podcast. Connect with us by: Visiting our website Signing up for our emails Following us on Facebook & LinkedIn Contacting us Connect with your Chapter Midwest Region Chapters Northeast Region Chapters Southern Region Chapters Western Region Chapters Connect to your Regional CAC National Children’s Advocacy Center Peachtree Sound Sponsor:
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    58 mins

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