Our Team
National and International Trainers
The NCAC has developed a world-class team of subject matter experts specializing in the multidisciplinary response to child abuse, embodied in the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model. Our training team offers courses at our Huntsville, AL Training Center and can provide on-site training anywhere in the world.
With over 150 years of combined experience in the field, our trainers have shared their expertise in more than 35 countries. Key training topics include Forensic Interviewing, Victim/Family Advocacy, Multidisciplinary Response to Child Abuse, Team Facilitation and Development, Secondary Traumatic Stress, CAC Leadership, Chapter Development, and more.
Chris Newlin, MS LPC
Chief Executive Officer
Karen Hangartner
Director of Professional Services
Linda Cordisco Steele
Director of Forensic Interview Training and Services
Kim Madden
Trainer/Child Forensic Interview Specialist
Andra K. Chamberlin
Trainer/Child Forensic Interview Specialist
Jimmy Widdifield, Jr.
Project Director, Grant Training and Resources
Greg Flett
Senior Program Manager, CAC and MDT Development
Emily Chittenden-Laird
SRCAC Director
Kori Stephens
Senior Program Manager, Chapter Development
Lydia Johnson Grady
Program Manager, MDT Development
Christina Rouse
Program Manager, CAC Development
Cara Vock
Program Manager, Chapter Development
Chris Newlin, Our CEO
Chris Newlin serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) in Huntsville, AL. In this role, he provides visionary leadership and management for the agency, while also engaging in national and international training and advocacy efforts dedicated to child protection.
With over 27 years of experience in the field, Chris has held diverse roles including forensic interviewer, victim advocate, therapist, clinical director, and executive director at various CACs. His expertise extends globally, having delivered training in over 36 countries and contributed to numerous international conferences. Chris also offers ongoing technical assistance to professionals developing multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and CACs worldwide.
His contributions to the field have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the David Chadwick Outstanding Professional Award from the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (2020), the International Impact Award from the International Services Council of Alabama (2010), and the Hendrix College Odyssey Award for Service to the World (2010).
Direct Services
Child Abuse Prevention Services
The NCAC has a professional staff of 12 individuals with a total of 167 years of experience providing high-quality child abuse prevention programming in Madison County. These programs include:
1. Healthy Families
2. Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN)
3. Stewards of Children
4. Parenting Classes
5. Partnership in Parenting
Intervention for Child Abuse
The NCAC has a professional staff of 21 individuals with a total of 163 years of experience providing an evidence-based and multidisciplinary response to child abuse for Madison County. We provide:
1. Forensic Interviews
2. Family Advocacy
3. Medical Exams
4. Evidence-based Mental Health Services
Our local multidisciplinary partners include the Huntsville Police Department, Madison Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Department of Human Resources, Madison County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Crisis Services of North Alabama. Most of these partners are co-located on the NCAC campus.
Board of Directors and Stakeholders
The NCAC is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of elected board members and stakeholders in our community who serve by virtue of their position.
NCAC 2024 Board of Directors
Vice President/President Elect: Holly McCarty
Secretary: Kym Middleton
Treasurer: Drew Davenport
Past President: Allen Young
Ann Bianchi, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, UAH College of Nursing
Conn Crabtree, Vice President/ Division Manager, Doster Construction
Seth Crochet, In-House Counsel, Radiance Technologies, Inc.
Jennifer Damewood, VP, Business Development Operations, Astrion
Drew Davenport, Chief Development Officer, Crestwood Medical Center
Tom Economy, Chief of Staff – VP of Community Affairs, COLSA Corporation
Margo Gray, Evening Anchor/Reporter, WAFF 48 News
Elizabeth Jacobus, Assistant Vice President, Commercial Banking, ServisFirst Bank
Richele Jordan-Davis, Consultant, Diverse Strategy Inc.
Holly McCarty, Huntsville City Schools, Board of Education
Kym Middleton, MD, Pediatric Hospitalist, Huntsville Hospital
Erica Olson, Senior Director, Human Resources, Teledyne Brown
Scott Rawlinson, Director of Public & Congressional Affairs, US Army Materiel Command
Mark Russell, Veterinarian
Joe Salls, Vice President, nLogic
Tim Strait, Chief Technical Officer, Yulista Holdings
Kathi Tew, Community Volunteer
Allie Tucker, Shareholder/Attorney, Butler & Snow
Allen Young, Community Volunteer
NCAC Stakeholders
Hon. Rob Broussard, District Attorney
Clarence Sutton, Superintendent, Huntsville City Schools
Mayor Paul Finley, City of Madison
Johnny Gandy, Madison Chief of Police
Kirk Giles, Chief of Police, City of Huntsville
Ed Nichols, Superintendent, Madison City Schools
Ken Kubik, Superintendent, Madison County Schools
Corey Williams, County Director, Madison County DHR
Mac McCutcheon, Chairman, Madison County Commission
Kevin Turner, Madison County Sheriff
Young Professional Advisory Council
The Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC) consists of younger community volunteers who have a passion for the NCAC mission and want to support our ongoing work. If you are interested in joining, please contact Cynthia Parker or Paige Beitel.
Young Professional Advisory Council Members 2024
Joy Boggs, FirstBank
Stephanie Cashin, Huntsville Integrative Therapy
Jeanette Craven, HAPPI Health Inc.
JoAnna Damson, Madison County Assistant District Attorney
Lauryn Dawkins, Canvas Inc.
Trisha Hancock, Yulista
Megan Harrell, SAIC
Adrianna Manginelli, Schoel Engineering
Matt McCutcheon, Huntsville Madison County Builders Association
Meagan Owens, Alpha Foundation
Mary Cooke O’Reilly, RJ Young
Joseph Ozbolt, COLSA
Lynette Potter, Butler Snow LLP
Mica Rice, SAIC
Aaliyah Roberts, Booz Allen Hamilton
Courtney Scallan, Madison County Schools
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