The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Tennessee (CACTN) is a statewide membership organization dedicated to helping communities, through local child advocacy centers, respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient – and put the needs of child victims first. CACTN strongly believes that the combined professional wisdom and skill of the multidisciplinary team approach results in a more complete understanding of case issues and the most effective child and family focused system response possible.
Our Mission
To promote, assist, and support development, growth, and sustainability of Child Advocacy Centers in their service to at risk, abused and neglected children and their families.
For additional information regarding how this mission is accomplished, please review our 2015-2018 strategic plan CACTN-Strategic-Plan-Yr2-Update and our FY 16/17 Annual Report.
2018 Annual Report
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Our Staff
Karen Jointer, Executive Director
Karen Jointer has been a social worker for over fifteen years. She earned a Master’s of Science in Social Work, with an emphasis on Management and Community Practice from the University of Tennessee.
She has served the field of social work in many capacities; beginning her career at Youth Villages serving youth in residential, group home and in-home settings. She’s worked as a Research Associate at Casey Family Services in New Haven, CT; spent five years as a Child Welfare Consultant at the Univ. of Tenn. Health Science Center; then ventured to Sunderland, England for almost a year to serve as a Principal Social Worker for the local Children’s Services.
Additionally, she has had the pleasure of serving as the Director of Social Work at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN and finally, before being hired as Executive Director for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Tennessee, she worked for the Department of Children’s Services as the Director of Community Partnerships for CPS Investigations.
Amber Ping, Statewide Outreach Specialist
As the Statewide Outreach Specialist, Amber focuses on promoting CACTN's mission and raising awareness of local CAC services to the community, as well as assisting with marketing and statistical data collection and reporting. After graduating from the University of Kentucky, she focused on marketing and graphic design. In April of 2017, she accepted the role of Statewide Outreach Specialist. Amber is dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding child abuse that prevents far too many people from speaking out and seeking help. In her current role, she develops statewide outreach efforts that will raise awareness of child abuse and ensure victims get the support they need.