Ann Alexander Returns as Executive Director Of Gonzales Regional Children's Advocacy Center, Inc.

After a six-year absence, Ann Alexander returns to lead the local Children's Advocacy Center.

After more than three productive years at Norma's House, as the Advocacy Center is fondly called, Alexander left to join her husband in Arizona.

"I constantly thought of Norma's House and missed the tough yet rewarding work that was happening there," she said. "It's great to be back."

"One month ago, everything started falling into place. On October 1, I was checking the Norma's House website and saw they were calling for applicants for the Executive Director position. I think it took me 20 minutes to have my application packet ready to mail. I knew I would be returning to Central Texas to live permanently and knew that I wanted to return to Norma's House. I started packing just in case and one month later, here I am."

With a bachelor's degree from Texas State University, Alexander has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years in Gonzales County. She served 17 years as Child Care Coordinator at Texas Elks Children's Services in Ottine and three years as the Executive Director and Forensic Interviewer at Norma's House in Gonzales.

For the past five years she has been an Independent Consultant to Nonprofit Organizations and a Grant Writer. She has helped numerous organizations with Board Development, Strategic Planning, and Grant Readiness.

Norma's House has been through many significant changes since Alexander's last tenure. The nonprofit organization has moved twice before settling into a wonderful permanent home purchased after a Capital Campaign, which drew support from the community served by Norma's House.

The Children's Advocacy Center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Child Protective Services (CPS) and law enforcement agencies may call on Center staff 24-7 for immediate assistance in crisis situations involving child victims of sexual or physical abuse and children who are witnesses to violent crimes. Children do not stay overnight at Norma's House, but are accompanied there by their protective family members, or CPS and/or law enforcement investigators. Persons accused of abusing the children are not allowed on the premises.

Children and family members are welcomed into the warm and non-threatening environment of Norma's House. There are family rooms, which are like living rooms with toys and other activities for children and families.

Children are interviewed in private by a specially trained professional forensic interviewer, a role that will also be filled by Alexander. The process allows the child to tell as much as possible about what has happened.

"Within the Children's Advocacy Center model, which is used all over the country, a technique is used with children who are alleged victims of sexual abuse, witnesses of violent crime, or victims of physical abuse," Alexander explained. "This is an interviewing technique that provides a comfortable and neutral method of helping them tell their story. A Forensic Interview is a safe method of explaining what has happened."

Alexander further described how the process works interactively. "Next, other team members such as law enforcement, child protective services, and district attorney's offices observe in another room via monitor what transpires between the interviewer and the child. That way, if they have extra questions, they don't have to ask the child. This is beneficial for the child in that he or she doesn't have to go through as much."

Tours of Norma's House may be coordinated by calling and making an appointment through Judy Parks, 830-672-1278. Alexander is available for interviews about how to recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse and what to do next. You may also contact her to speak at your club meetings or at your work place by calling the office or emailing her at ann.alexander@normashouse.net.