CP Meet & Greet

Welcome to our new blog! We are so glad that you chose to view this site. This blog was created, in a nutshell, to shine the light on what we do here at Child Protect. In this post I wanted to introduce you to our staff. We are a small but tight-knit staff of six people. We come from various backgrounds but have a common goal in serving the children of our community. Get to know us and enjoy!

Jannah M. Bailey
Executive Director

​I’ve been the executive director of Child Protect for 14 years, 8 months and 12 days but who’s counting?  Not me!  When I was asked to interview for the position, my response was “No, I don’t have the experience, the knowledge or math skills.”  All of which I felt like was important to be a director of a non-profit.  After I was hired however, I realized you needed something more to be the director of Child Protect.  You need an abundance of love, flexibility and the ability to answer the call of an abused child 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Child abuse doesn’t take holidays or weekends off.  After almost 15 years at the helm, I can now understand why God called me to this position.
There have been a lot of changes over the years; staff, investigators, funding, board members, community partnerships and me.  The only thing that has remained a constant is the children that walk through our door every day.  They come in with smiles or tears, hungry or fed, happy or sad, dirty or clean, angry, embarrassed, with a supportive family or without, but all of them for the same reason, needing to tell their story.  And we are always here to listen, embrace, feed, clean, and most importantly to love and accept them no matter how they get to us.
Do I remember each one?  Hardly, since there have been thousands over the years but I can honestly say that each one of them has left their handprint on my heart and has changed me for the good.  No, I may not have had the typical qualifications for an executive director’s position and maybe math isn’t all that necessary as long as you never give out of love, hugs and Chef Boyardee. 

---

Cammie Blackmon
Family Advocate

Hello!  My name is Cammie and I am the Family Advocate here at Child Protect.  I first learned about Child Protect when I had to write a college paper on an agency that serves abused children.  From then on, I became a huge fan of Child Protect and its mission. I am blessed to have this job and beyond thankful to work for an organization that touches children’s lives every day.  It can be stressful, but the smile on a child’s face makes it worthwhile.

My first degree is in business management, but I returned to college last year to pursue a degree in social work.  I have been married to my husband Steve for 20 years and we have three children: Andy, Allie, and Abigail.  We live on a small farm with our horses and dogs. 

My favorite things:
*Watching my children participate in their activities
*Reading
*Fall
*Alabama Football
*Mountains

 

---

Kristin Byrd
Forensic Interviewer/Counselor

I am originally from South Carolina. My dad moved us to Alexander City, AL in 1992 after accepting a job at Russell Corporation. I graduated from Benjamin Russell High School and decided to attend Huntingdon College where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. After college, I moved to the beautiful California Bay Area and LOVED it. I was there 4 ½ years before moving to Tulsa, OK where I finished an M.Div. at Oral Roberts University. A few years later I obtained a  Master’s in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University. I interned at various sites that allowed me to experience clients in different environments. I have worked with youth in youth and small groups and believe this job was tailor-made for me. I love helping kids- I have to admit I really love the teenagers. 

I fell upon this job while volunteering for another organization. I met our executive director and the rest is history. This job is my dream job and I did not know it would be when I first walked through the doors. Admittedly, I had no idea what a children’s advocacy center did or was.  Child Protect exists to serve children and help them get through incredibly difficult and traumatic situations- my life’s mission. I am extremely honored to be a part of this organization and honored beyond measure to be able to do what I do and meet the people that I meet. I never have a response for people who tell us thank you for doing our jobs. The truth is, is that I am and will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to do what I love to do. 

Things that I love:
Mexican food 
Blue Bell Ice Cream
Reality TV
Vacations 


One of my favorite quotes: "I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God." -Helen Keller

---

Emily Hutcheson
Program Director

Working at Child Protect for the past 9 years has been the most rewarding experience. Hearing the horrible, traumatic stories that children tell every day is extremely difficult, but knowing that we are one piece of their healing process makes it all worthwhile. Children are so resilient and it’s amazing what kids can overcome with the love and support from their family and friends. I’m so grateful to be able to work with these children and help them see the strength and courage they have within themselves to overcome whatever abuse they have endured. 

I graduated from Auburn University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and in 2006 from Auburn University Montgomery with a Master of Education in Counseling. I interned at Child Protect for 1 year prior to graduating and got hired in April of 2006. I have been married for 9 years and I have 2 girls, ages 6 & 3 years old, and a dog, Maya who is 8 years old. I enjoy being with my family, running when it’s not too hot or cold outside and watching Auburn Football. War Eagle! I have many favorite foods, but I would say some of my favorite are steak, poppyseed chicken and spaghetti.
 

Favorite Quote: “Be happy with what you have while working for what you want” – Helen Keller

---

Laurel Teel
Development Director

I am from Wetumpka and spent the majority of my childhood growing up at our family cabin on Lake Martin. When I finished high school I rebelled against my family’s ‘Tide Pride’ ways and went to Auburn. I graduated from Auburn University in 2010 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Following graduation I decided relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina where I was a pre-kindergarten teacher until 2013. I loved my time in the Queen City, and the friendships I made there will last a lifetime. After moving back to Alabama in 2013, I decided to bring a local chapter of Mustaches 4 Kids to Montgomery. Mustaches 4 Kids is an organization that is dedicated to doing good and  having fun while raising money for children’s charities, by way of facial hair. In our first fundraising season we saw much success, raising almost $3,200 for the Adullam House!  

In the week that I have been at Child Protect it has been a dream come true! There’s nothing like entering a place and feeling like you’ve made it home, and that is exactly how I feel. When I have thought about my future career and what I see myself doing every day, I have always said I picture myself out in the community making a difference. I am proud and thankful to be beginning that career with Child Protect.  

My loves:
Lake Martin
Pimento Cheese
Carolina Panthers (especially Luke Kuechly)
TJ Maxx
John Mayer, Sam Hunt, and the Black Keys
Addicted to coffee
30A beaches
The Bachelor franchise

---

Abraham White
Forensic Interviewer/Counselor

I graduated from Auburn University in 1999 with an undergrad in finance.  I’ve worked in fields from retail to banking to real estate.  After struggling to find a field that I felt was rewarding, I went back to school and finished my graduate degree in Agency Community Counseling from Auburn University Montgomery in 2008.  I found my vocational purpose while interning at Child Protect.  I worked at Child Protect from 2008-2013. I took a brief hiatus from the field and have recently returned to continue the job that I think I was meant to do.  It is very fulfilling to help people who are in need and are appreciative of the services.   I’ve been married 10 years to my wife Misha.  We have two beautiful kids Gabriel (8) and Gavin (3).  While some people never find what they are meant to do, I’m not only grateful to have found it, but to live it out every day.

---