Graves County Child Advocacy Program, Inc.

In 1989, a task force was formed of community leaders concerned about the rising reports of child abuse and neglect Mayfield-Graves County. These individuals worked closely with the Cabinet for Families and Children, as well as local law enforcement personnel to try and discern the alarming statistics for our county. Because of these concerned citizens, the Child Advocacy Program, Inc. was formed.

For several years, the task force continued to meet regularly and ultimately began the arduous task of developing a plan of work for the task force, as well as bringing their efforts to light in the community. The task force was incorporated in 1992 as the Graves County Child Advocacy Program, Inc., and established a 501 (c) (3). At this point, the newly formed agency began the processes of fund solicitation from federal and state agencies.

Funding during that early time came primarily from the Kentucky Justice Cabinet, from the Child Victims’ Trust Fund, which enabled us to begin a Body Safety program for our K – 3rd grade students. It was also during this early time, our agency became a member of the United Way.

Our programs continued to grow, and funding became sufficient enough to hire a staff person to further coordinate and administrate the agency and its programs.

One of our programs, CASA, the Court Appointed Special Advocates, has become an important part of our program component. A CASA is a trained volunteer who speaks on behalf of a child who is in the court system due to abuse or neglect. Our CASA program has trained 10 volunteers. To date, CASA has served over 120 children.

A lot has changed for Graves County Child Advocacy in the past 18 years. We have been challenged by the amount of crime victims that we’ve served. Six years ago, our agency entered into a collaborative effort with 3 other non-profit entities, to better serve the victims whom we all have in common. Purchase Area Sexual Assault Center (formerly Rape Crisis Center), Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and the county attorney Crime Victim Assistance Program along with Child Advocacy are housed in the Green Center for Advocacy. Our combined advocacy efforts have given hope and are providing healing for those whose lives are torn apart by abuse and violence.