Our Board of Directors
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Eli Brown
Ery Cervantes Leslie Clines Anna Daniel Rachel Gargus Sherrie Hicks Chase Higginbotham |
Barbara Hood
Jordan Horton, Secretary Jeremy Hyde Sherry Kelly Esther Large Teresa Latham Lacy Melvin |
Pat Posey
Susan Richardson Jordan Summerford, Vice President David Vickery Brian Weems, President Patti Young, Treasurer |
Our Staff
JIM ED CLAYTON
ED HULL
JORDAN NEAL
DEBBIE McCAIN
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Jim Ed ClaytonJim Ed joined the Children's Center as Executive Director in 2011. Before that, he and his wife Dana were full-time houseparents for eight years at the Big Oak Girls' Ranch in Springville where they served as "Mom and Dad" to 23 abused and neglected girls. Jim Ed is a native of Clay, Alabama, and earned his bachelor's degree and MBA from UAB. He worked in business management for over 25 years. Jim Ed and Dana have two adult sons and live in Rosa.
Ed HullEd is an employee of the Blount County Sheriff's Department, but the Children's Center reimburses the county for his pay and benefits so that he can be assigned exclusively to child abuse investigations. So, we count him as one of our family. Ed joined the Sheriff's Department in 2018, after a 30-year career with the Birmingham Police Department which included 17 years as an investigator assigned to the ATF Birmingham Field Office. Ed and his wife live in Blount County and enjoy fishing and NASCAR races.
Jordan NealJordan is our therapist, providing children and their caregivers with specialized, trauma-informed counseling. She earned her undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University and her master's degree from the University of Alabama. Jordan and her husband live in Oneonta. She is a big Auburn fan and loves spending time with her three pups.
Debbie McCainDebbie came to the Children's Center after earning her degree in education from Jacksonville State University and teaching at Oneonta Elementary School. She teaches child abuse prevention classes in all of the elementary schools in Blount County, instructing students about body safety and how to prevent or stop inappropriate touches. Debbie also conducts forensic interviews with children who have disclosed some type of physical or sexual abuse. Debbie and her husband Rodney live in Oneonta and are the parents of two adult children.
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MICHELLE SARGENT
KAYLA HUDGINS
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Michelle SargentOriginally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Michelle Thibodeaux Sargent is our Cajun-in-residence. She has been with the Children's Center since 2009. Her primary role is Family Advocate, providing help and support for parents and other caregivers throughout the long, confusing ordeal surrounding a child abuse allegation. This may take years and may include a forensic interview, a medical evaluation, a DHR and law enforcement investigation, a trial, and professional counseling. Michelle lovingly guides our clients through each step, being a caring friend to them along the way. Michelle and her husband Jeff live in Remlap and are the parents of one son.
Kayla HudginsIn her role as Family Services Specialist, Kayla makes sure that our clients are treated with the utmost care and receive all the services that our community has to offer. She also conducts forensic interviews with children who have disclosed some type of physical or sexual abuse. Kayla is a Blount County native and graduated from Locust Fork High School. She earned degrees from Wallace State in Business Administration and Child Development, and graduated from Athens State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Kayla and her husband, Brandon, live in Cleveland where they love doing DIY projects and spending time with their three sons.
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