Our Board of Directors
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Alethea Bailey, President
Veronda Berry Olivia Blackwood Eli Brown Carri Buchanan, Treasurer Amalia Contreras Doris Cornelius |
Anna Daniel
Rachel Gargus Vivian Haley, VP Sherrie Hicks Jane Kirk Esther Large Teresa Latham |
Carrie Latta, Secretary
Lacy Melvin Patty Moon Susan Richardson Barbara Robertson Pam Sanders Jordan Summerford |
David Vickery
Brian Weems Patti Young |
Our Staff
JIM ED CLAYTON
ED HULL
JESSICA ISBELL
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.
Jessica IsbellJessica serves as our Therapist, providing professional counseling services to children, teens, and caregivers. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler, Texas, and she earned her Ed. S. and M.S. degrees from Jacksonville State University. Jessica is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist, serving on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Association of Play Therapists. She is also a Registered Yoga Instructor. Jessica and her family, including a menagerie of pets, live near Gadsden, Alabama.
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 most of our 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
ALEYDA VILLEGAS
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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.
Aleyda VillegasAleyda is a native Blount Countian and a graduate of Appalachian High School. She earned her associate's degree in criminal justice from the College of Southern Nevada. Aleyda wears so many hats that we can't list all she does for our clients! She has a passion and a gift for helping families in time of need. Proficient in both Spanish and English, Aleyda serves the Spanish-speakers of our community who need assistance. She and Juan live in Oneonta and are the parents of two daughters and one son.
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