Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy

11/03/2025

DID YOU KNOW...
The State of Arkansas expects that Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) be utilized during child maltreatment investigations. This is because the State recognizes the indispensable value of the CAC model. This child-focused, trauma-informed approach results in better investigations, stronger prosecutions, and improved outcomes for children and families.

CACs are not optional partners—they are essential, legislatively integrated components of the child protection and criminal justice systems. Law enforcement, child protective services, and prosecutors rely on CACs daily to fulfill state-mandated responsibilities in a manner that protects children and preserves the integrity of evidence.

The Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy proudly serves as the CAC for Sebastian and Crawford Counties. In October alone, HCCA assisted 127 children throughout investigations into their alleged abuse.

However, despite the critical role we play, our state funding is in jeopardy. As a nonprofit organization, we must rely heavily on the generosity of our community to continue providing these vital services.

💙 Here’s how you can help:

Donate: Every dollar directly supports child victims and their families as they begin the path toward healing. https://hamiltoncca.org/donate

Speak up: Reach out to your local city and state representatives and let them know how important CACs are to our communities. Ask them to support funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers in Fort Smith and across Arkansas.

Together, we can ensure that children in crisis continue to have a safe place to share their stories, find hope, and begin healing.

❤️ Please consider making a donation today and lending your voice to protect our most vulnerable children. https://hamiltoncca.org/donate

10/27/2025

10/27/2025

At the Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy, our mission is to be a safe, healing place for children and families who have experienced trauma. But we’re facing major challenges. Recent federal budget cuts to child safety centers are putting essential services in jeopardy.

Because of these cuts, our ability to provide the same level of care — forensic interviews, therapy, advocacy, crisis support — is under threat. Every child who walks through our doors depends on these services, and now we need your help.

👉 You can support us by:
• Sharing this post so more people understand what’s at stake.
• Making a contribution to ensure we can keep serving families in need.
• Contacting local leaders and letting them know that safe spaces for abused and neglected children must be protected.

Together, we can keep the Hamilton Center strong for the children of our community. Thank you for standing with us.
https://edition.arkansasonline.com/article/281522232320983

Arkansas' children's advocacy centers -- nonprofits that help investigate child abuse reports and support victims -- are facing a steep loss in funding, with some locations expected to close, after learning this year that $7 million to $8 million in federal grant money that had been distributed to t...

10/07/2025

🎃👻 Spooky Season Fun at the Center! 👻🎃

A big thank you to Larry and Dee Brown for their generous donation of Alani’s! 💖 We turned them into a fun morale booster by writing a little riddle and hiding the cans around the office with cute ghostly “pick-me-up” notes.

Our team has had a blast finding these haunted energy treats — it’s been a boo-tiful way to lift spirits around the Center! 💀💜

Here are some of our adorable ghost hunters in action! 👻✨

09/30/2025

🌟 Today we’re celebrating Grace’s one-year anniversary with our team! 🌟

Grace first joined our team as a BSW intern through UAFS, and it didn’t take long for everyone to see her heart for this work. Her compassion, perspective, and dedication led to her being hired on, and in just one year she has already advocated for 134 families walking through ongoing child abuse cases. 💙

Grace, your passion and care have made such a difference in the lives of the children and families you serve. We are so proud of you and so blessed to have you on our team!

Also, we are so thankful for Grace’s sweet family and the thoughtful treats they provide—it always brightens our day! 💙

Please join us in congratulating Grace on this amazing milestone! 🎉

09/19/2025

It was a privilege for our team to be part of the network that supported the Waring family. So thankful for everyone who came together to make a difference!

The Waring family was exhausted by crisis. Travis Waring was a father battling alcoholism. He chose recovery and entered treatment in Florida while his wife, Ki

09/05/2025

✨ We are so grateful! ✨

The Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy was honored to receive a generous grant award from First Presbyterian Church. This gift will directly support our Advocacy Program, which provides vital services to children and families in crisis.

At a time when we are facing significant federal grant cuts, this community support means more than ever. Because of partners like First Presbyterian, we can continue standing alongside children and families on their journey to healing. 💙

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us protect the most vulnerable in our community!

(Pictured left to right: Phillip Merry,1st Pres. Mission Outreach and Benevolence Committee; Laurie Burnett, HCCA Executive Director; and Marcus Coker, HCCA Board President)

09/03/2025

🎉 Big shoutout to Marlene and Andrea for hitting their 3-year mark at HCCA! 🎉

These two have dedicated countless hours to advocating for children across the River Valley and our four surrounding counties. Their education in criminal justice has strengthened the way they support children and families during some of their toughest moments.

Even more, their personalities and passion for this work shine through in everything they do. 💙

We recently asked them what their secret is to making it three years at HCCA:
✨ Andrea: “Leaning on your team and remembering why we do this work.”
✨ Marlene: “Loving what I do and working with this team.”

We’re lucky to have you both on the team—thank you for showing up every day with so much compassion. 💙👏

Help us celebrate these two amazing advocates in the comments!

08/14/2025

Today, we gathered to celebrate the life of Jackie Stewart Hamilton. Stories were shared, laughter filled the room, and—true to form—we left still not knowing exactly how old Jackie really was.

What was clear, though, is the depth of her love. She loved big—without hesitation, without conditions. Her greatest legacy is that she taught us how to love: to love “the least of these,” to love one another, and to love our community with the same open heart she carried every day.

Though she is gone in body, Jackie’s spirit continues in the way we choose to care, serve, and love well. That is how we honor her—and how her legacy lives on.

08/13/2025

Tomorrow, the family will say their final goodbyes to this sweet and precious lady. They have asked us to share the link to the live stream of her memorial service. If you cannot be there in person, please join us online as we remember and celebrate Jackie’s life—her kindness, her laughter, and the love she so freely gave. May we honor her memory together and carry her legacy in our hearts.