Board of Directors
BOARD OFFICERS
Chair
Dr. Jennifer Reynolds
Cherokee County School District
Immediate Past Chair
Dr. Charles Cooley
Retired, Northside Hospital Cherokee
Secretary
Elizabeth Spell
Cherokee County School District
Treasurer
Chair
Immediate Past Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Ms. Kelley began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2025. She conducts forensic interviews with alleged victims of abuse. Conner holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of West Florida, as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Alabama and has received extensive training in forensic interviewing. Before coming to the center, she served as a Child Protective Investigator for the Florida Department of Children & Families and as a Forensic Specialist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Stephanie V. Blank Center in Atlanta. Conner is a Major in the Georgia Army National Guard/Medical Service Corps providing leadership and coordination of medical support operations, both in clinical environments and emergency response settings.
Mrs. Gail Garland began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2024. Mrs. Garland holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Tennessee. After serving as Administrator and then Executive Director of Harbor House, the Child Advocacy Center located in Rome, Georgia from 1998-2017, Mrs. Garland continued her career at SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center in Marietta from 2017-2024 as the Director of Advocacy Services. She has experience in the development of child abuse prevention trainings, policies and protocols, accreditation management, grant writing/management/reporting, case review facilitation, internship supervision, and other areas of advocacy center management. Mrs. Garland is responsible for facility management and creating/facilitating community partnerships.
Mrs. Anderson began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2011. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and a Child Advocacy Studies Training Certification from Kennesaw State University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia, with a Certificate in Marriage and Family Counseling. As the Director of Forensic Services, Mrs. Anderson supervises the agency’s forensic interviewers, provides feedback, and conducts in-house peer reviews. She conducts forensic interviews with alleged victims of abuse, provides therapy to child victims and their families, and offers expert testimony in court. Mrs. Anderson has received specialized training in forensic interviewing, sexual abuse, trauma, and play therapy. She is also trained in the ChildFirst forensic interview protocol, with additional training in the FIND adaptive interview protocol for interviewing individuals with disabilities who do not speak. She has been trained to provide several treatment modalities, including Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), sand tray therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Mrs. Anderson uses a combination of these therapeutic approaches to help children and families affected by abuse on their journey of healing. Additionally, Mrs. Anderson is a Certified Stewards of Children Darkness to Light Facilitator and provides sexual abuse prevention training to adults throughout the community.
Ms. Guzman began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2000. Ms. Guzman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Seton Hall University. Ms. Guzman is bilingual, proficient in English and Spanish, and has worked in the field of Social Services and Child Abuse for over 21 years. Her primary responsibilities include providing in-home parent education and support services to at-risk families referred by Cherokee DFCS and facilitating parent groups. She also provides Adoption Investigations and Home Studies for Cherokee County Superior Court. Ms. Guzman has also been trained as a Forensic Interviewer and provides interviews in English and Spanish.
Ms. Vincent serves as the Staff Accountant for the Cherokee Child Advocacy Council, Inc. She started on a volunteer basis for several months before being hired in 2009. Ms. Vincent holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of New Haven, Connecticut and has worked towards her Masters in Accounting at Kennesaw State University. She works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Ms. Vincent is also the Training Coordinator for the ChildFirst Training program.
Sarah Welch began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2016. She holds a Master of Human Services degree specializing in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree specializing in Case Management from Kennesaw State University, and an Associate of Science in Business Administration degree from Georgia Highlands College. Mrs. Welch is a Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP). As Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Mrs. Welch oversees the advocacy staff, undergraduate level interns and masters level crisis advocate interns. She provides case management, resource connection, and crisis intervention services to families served by the forensic and clinical staff. Mrs. Welch facilitates communication and information sharing with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, which includes law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Additionally, Mrs. Welch assists in managing forensic medical exams conducted onsite in partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Mrs. Welch is certified as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning (ESMHL) through PATH International and has experience working with foster children and children who have experienced trauma healing through Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL). Mrs. Welch has over 10 years of experience working in youth organizations involving faith-based ministry and experience in the organizational development of child abuse prevention trainings, policies, and protocols within the faith community. Mrs. Welch is a certified Darkness to Light Facilitator providing sexual abuse awareness and prevention trainings to adults. Mrs. Welch is extremely passionate about child abuse prevention and whole-heartedly advocates for adults to continue to improve protection efforts surrounding children in their communities.
Sarah Welch began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2016. She holds a Master of Human Services degree specializing in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice from Nova Southeastern University, a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree specializing in Case Management from Kennesaw State University, and an Associate of Science in Business Administration degree from Georgia Highlands College. Mrs. Welch is a Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP). As Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Mrs. Welch oversees the advocacy staff, undergraduate level interns and masters level crisis advocate interns. She provides case management, resource connection, and crisis intervention services to families served by the forensic and clinical staff. Mrs. Welch facilitates communication and information sharing with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, which includes law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Additionally, Mrs. Welch assists in managing forensic medical exams conducted onsite in partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Mrs. Welch is certified as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning (ESMHL) through PATH International and has experience working with foster children and children who have experienced trauma healing through Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL). Mrs. Welch has over 10 years of experience working in youth organizations involving faith-based ministry and experience in the organizational development of child abuse prevention trainings, policies, and protocols within the faith community. Mrs. Welch is a certified Darkness to Light Facilitator providing sexual abuse awareness and prevention trainings to adults. Mrs. Welch is extremely passionate about child abuse prevention and whole-heartedly advocates for adults to continue to improve protection efforts surrounding children in their communities.
Jessica DeGourville began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in the fall of 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services with a specialty in Case Management from Kennesaw State University. Mrs. DeGourville manages requests for forensic interviews and oversees the direct services calendar. She also provides case management, resource connection, and crisis intervention services to families served by the forensic and clinical staff in both English and Spanish. Additionally, Mrs. DeGourville is a certified Darkness to Light Facilitator, providing sexual abuse awareness and prevention training to adults in the community.
Mikayla Dittman began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2024. She completed an undergraduate internship at the Center in 2017, during which she discovered her passion for working with children and families impacted by trauma. Ms. Dittman received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University in 2017 and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia in 2021. During the first few years of her career, Ms. Dittman worked as a family advocate, therapist, and forensic interviewer at the Paulding Child Advocacy Center before returning to the Anna Crawford Children’s Center as a full-time clinician. Ms. Dittman is a licensed clinical social worker trained in various therapeutic modalities, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and TF-CBT for survivors of human trafficking. Ms. Dittman also facilitates therapeutic support groups for non-offending caregivers and assists in providing forensic interviews.
Brooke Gray began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2024. Ms. Gray holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Kennesaw State University and is currently working towards a Masters in Social Work. Ms. Gray has gained experience working with children who have experienced trauma throughout her undergraduate level internships, volunteer work, and current employment at the Center. Ms. Gray is a part of the advocacy team and provides resources, case management, and crisis intervention services to families, while also assisting advocate team members with their case management. Ms. Gray also facilitates support groups for non-offending caregivers.
Mrs. Natalie Reyes began her employment at the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Kennesaw State University. Mrs. Reyes has spent several years facilitating support groups such as codependency, Shelter from the Storm, and anger management. As a Child and Family Advocate, Mrs. Reyes partners with the multidisciplinary team to respond to allegations of child sexual and physical abuse. Mrs. Reyes collaborates with the team to make sure each family receives trauma-informed services, support, and referrals to resources throughout the life of the child and family’s case. Mrs. Reyes provides services in both English and Spanish.
Mrs. Kimberly A. Hood began her internship in 2018 with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. In 2019, she became a full-time employee serving as a Clinical Child and Family Specialist, providing trauma-focused therapy and group services in English and Spanish to trauma survivors between the ages of 4 to 18, and their families. In late 2024, Mrs. Hood became the Director of Clinical Services. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University Atlanta with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. Mrs. Hood is a Licensed Professional Counselor within the State of Georgia and is also a Nationally Certified Counselor. She is a member of the EMDR International Association, the National Board of Certified Counselors, the Licensed Professional Counselor’s Association of Georgia, and the Chi Sigma Iota International Honor’s Society. Mrs. Hood has received specialized training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Alternative for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), Play Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy. Additionally, she is a Bilingual Certified Stewards of Children Darkness to Light Facilitator. Mrs. Hood has developed a teen psychoeducational and empowerment support group for teenage female survivors of sexual abuse and an emotional regulation psychoeducational support group for young children, which she facilitates alongside her co-workers at the Center. Mrs. Hood also facilitates and co-developed the Center’s Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group for the Hispanic community. Mrs. Hood believes that no one deserves to heal alone and that we all deserve a safe space and non-judgmental environment where we can learn, explore our deepest wounds and practice the tools needed to embark on a transformative healing journey.
Mrs. Santa Espinosa Jones began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2014, providing clinical and therapy services in English and in Spanish to children ages 3 to 18. Mrs. Espinosa Jones holds a Master’s of Arts Degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the State of Georgia and member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Mrs. Espinosa Jones has experience working with children, youth and families who have experienced abuse and trauma Mrs. Espinosa Jones has received specialized training in the areas of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Alternative for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, and EMDR. Mrs. Espinosa Jones is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and CSEC-specific applications of TF-CBT with youth and their families who have experienced Commercial Sexual Exploitation.Mrs. Espinosa Jones also facilitates support groups and has helped in the development of the Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group for the Hispanic community at Anna Crawford Children’s Center.
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Ms. Alma Gardarsdottir began her employment with the Anna Crawford Children’s Center in 2016. Ms. Gardarsdottir holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in children and families. Ms. Gardarsdottir is licensed clinical social worker with the state of Georgia. She has extensive training in Victim’s Assistance and Advocacy and provides support for the families served by the forensic and clinical staff at the center.
Ms. Gardarsdottir also facilitates communication and information sharing with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, which includes law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services, the District Attorney’s Office, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Ms. Gardarsdottir has extensive clinical training and experience working with children and families who have experienced abuse and trauma. Ms. Gardarsdottir provides clinical services to child victims and families utilizing Trauma Focus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Processing (EMDR), Alternative for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), and play therapy. Ms. Gardarsdottir facilitates support groups for non-offending caregivers and is a certified Darkness to Light Facilitator and provides sexual abuse prevention training to adults throughout the community.