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. 

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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 

 

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Sponsor: 

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 

 

Resources: 

• CE-CERT Training [Training] 

• Reset. Reflect. Refuel. Hub [Video Series]  

• Psychological First Aid Guide for Children’s Advocacy Center Supervisors [Resource]