Child Watch Counseling & Advocacy Center

Our Mission

Child Watch is dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of children and families across Western Kentucky. Our core mission is to create a community where violence against children is diminished, families thrive, and every individual, especially our most vulnerable members, experiences safety, nurturing, and opportunity. We strive to achieve this through a multi-pronged approach, encompassing education, advocacy, and treatment services tailored to address the unique needs of child victims and their families.

Our Programs

Child Watch offers a comprehensive array of services designed to prevent child abuse, provide vital support to victims, and empower families to build stronger, healthier relationships. At the heart of our approach lies the understanding that every child deserves a safe and loving environment free from harm.

Counseling Services

Our team of experienced and compassionate mental health professionals provides a safe and supportive space for children and teens who have endured the trauma of abuse or neglect. We recognize that the impact of such experiences can be profound and enduring, affecting a child's emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Our program offers evidence-based therapeutic interventions that address the specific needs of each individual, fostering resilience, healing, and long-term well-being. We treat children who have experienced sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, witnessing domestic violence, or witnessing homicide.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

When child abuse or neglect cases enter the legal system, the children involved often feel lost and alone. The CASA program provides a dedicated voice for these vulnerable children, ensuring their best interests are represented in the courtroom. Thoroughly trained volunteers work closely with judges, attorneys, social workers, and families to gather information about the child's needs and circumstances, making informed recommendations that prioritize the child's safety, well-being, and permanency. Our CASA program serves children in McCracken, Ballard, Livingston, and Lyon counties, advocating for their safety and promoting their best outcomes.

Education & Outreach

Prevention is at the foundation of Child Watch's mission. We are committed to educating our community about child abuse and providing the resources necessary to create safe and nurturing environments for children. Our team of trained educators delivers comprehensive abuse prevention programs to preschools, elementary schools, camps, and other youth organizations.

We empower parents, teachers, and caregivers with knowledge about the indicators of abuse, strategies for creating protective environments, and the importance of reporting suspected maltreatment. Our education and outreach efforts extend to businesses and community organizations, providing training on recognizing and reporting child abuse within their own settings. We aim to cultivate a culture of awareness and responsibility, ensuring everyone plays a role in protecting children from harm.

Our Values

Child Watch is guided by a set of core values that underpin our commitment to serving children and families:

• Empowerment: We believe every child has the right to a voice and the power to shape their own destiny.

• Inclusion: We value the unique strengths and experiences of all individuals and strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and respected.
• Integrity: We operate with honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all our actions.

• Progress: We are dedicated to continuous improvement, seeking innovative solutions and adapting to the evolving needs of our community.
• Quality: We are committed to providing the highest quality services, ensuring our programs are evidence-based, effective, and driven by best practices.
• Solidarity: We believe in the power of collaboration and partnership, working together with families, communities, and other organizations to create lasting change.