Lillian Maguire Recognized By National Children’s Alliance For Outstanding Leadership In The Children’s Advocacy Center Movement
Washington, D.C., June 21, 2010 — On Tuesday, June 8, Lillian P. (Billie) Maguire of Claremont, CA received the Volunteer Leadership Individual Award from National Children’s Alliance for her outstanding leadership and support of the Children’s Advocacy Center Movement, and specifically the Children’s Advocacy Center for Child Abuse Assessment and Treatment in Pomona, CA . Billie has demonstrated a passion for this important cause through volunteer and personal commitments to children’s advocacy. The award was presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon during the 2010 National Children’s Alliance Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. (June 6 – 9).
Billie received the 2010 Volunteer Leadership Individual Award as a result of her dedication to a local Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). Having been involved with the development of the Pomona, CA CAC since 2002, Billie embodies all of the qualities of a positive role model and change-maker within the Children’s Advocacy Center movement. Not only has Billie supported the development of the organization, she has also been responsible for the creation of a Claremont Graduate University speaker forum on child abuse and the work of CACs, drawing both professional and lay audiences As stated by her nominee, “Anyone who has met Ms. Maguire is changed by her ‘can do’ attitude in helping children.”
“We are so proud of Billie and her work in helping the most vulnerable members of our society. Billie takes every opportunity to raise awareness about issues of childhood, particularly the issue of child abuse. She has been a virtual ‘magnet’ in drawing supporters and donors to the Children’s Advocacy Center effort. The Center in Pomona has grown as an accredited entity with the NCA, demonstrating the high standards of operation that are followed and the staff and board’s impassioned efforts. Billie’s hard work has allowed us to grow each year in terms of the number of children we are able to help,” states Jeanne Roy, Executive Director of the CAC in Pomona.
“It is with great pleasure that we recognize Billie Maguire for her important role on behalf of the Children’s Advocacy Center Movement. Billie has greatly contributed to the child advocacy field and, on behalf of National Children’s Alliance and our over 700 members across the country, I thank Billie for her exemplary leadership,” remarked Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children’s Alliance.
The Children’s Advocacy Center in Pomona serves several cities in the Pomona and San Gabriel Valleys. The mission is to provide a child-friendly, multidisciplinary response to child abuse allegations. Reducing trauma in children is the primary goal. Professionals from the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, Department of Children & Family Services (child protection), law enforcement, forensic medical evaluators, child advocacy and mental health observe child interviews behind a one-way mirror and participate in a non-intrusive fashion. Interviewers are specially trained professionals who work with children of all ages, including those with special needs. Services are offered in English and Spanish. All cases are coordinated and handled with the best interests of the child and family in the forefront.
National Children’s Alliance (NCA) is a national association dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient and put the needs of child victims of abuse first. As the accrediting body for the over 700 Child Advocacy Centers around the country, NCA provides training, financial support, technical assistance, leadership, national advocacy and access to current research findings on a national level to children’s advocacy centers around the country as well as numerous developing centers, multidisciplinary teams and child abuse professionals. As the national authority on multidisciplinary approaches to supporting child victims of abuse, NCA’s purpose is to empower local communities to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse. For more information about National Children’s Alliance and the 2010 Leadership Conference and Awards, please visit www.nationalchildrensalliance.org