This week’s #SPOTLIGHTSUNDAY is Dana Scott. Dana has been with the CSC since its founding 20 years ago and serves as Victim Assistance Program Director Washington County. As Dana is deeply rooted in the foundation of the Children’s Safety Center, we figured that in this month of April (Child Abuse Awareness Month) should celebrate her contributions. Find out more about Dana and her history with the CSC below:
You were involved in creating the CSC in NWA, what is something irreplaceable that the CSC provides to our community?
Before the CSC opened and began providing advocacy, families who reported allegations of child abuse often had to wait a month or more for services to be provided. At that point, they may have been connected to services if there was cause for DHS to open a case or if an arrest was made and the case came through the Prosecutor’s office. Otherwise, families were fending for themselves. Having advocates on scene to begin immediate and continuous support to child victims and their families is most certainly an irreplaceable service to people in our community. Knowing these families are less likely to end up homeless, jobless, or hopeless benefits our community whether the community recognizes it or not.
What has been the most rewarding thing about your work with the CSC?
My working relationship with the staff at the CSC is most rewarding. Having almost daily contact with CSC representatives helps me perform my job and is a constant reminder that there are people fully committed to enriching children’s lives and invested in ending child abuse. I cannot imagine doing this work without them.
How has the CSC changed in the last 20 years?
There has been some turnover, but not much, which says something about the work they do and the commitment of the staff. I am overwhelmed by the current wealth of community support, from Board involvement, to committees, to donations. That kind of support has grown beyond the wildest dreams of the initial Board, which consisted of a small group of representatives from within the system who knew there was a better way to serve child victims.
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
We love watching movies together as a family.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
I was advised not to say I’d go to New Zealand to see where Lord of the Rings was filmed, so I’m going with a trip to Costa Rica because I’ve read the bird-watching there is incredible!
