Baker County Child Forensic Interviewer Mitchell Named Director of Child Advocacy Center

Mitchell, who has served as Baker County’s child forensic interviewer for the past two years, announced on social media that she has also stepped into the role of director of the Baker County Child Advocacy Center (BCCAC) as of January 1st. The dual role positions a frontline investigator and manager in a county where coordinated responses shape how children and families access support after abuse or neglect.

“For the past two years, I have served as Baker County’s Child Forensic Interviewer. As of January 1st, I am honored to have also stepped into the role of Director of BCCAC. It is a privilege to serve in this position, working alongside Law Enforcement, DHS & many other local agencies to support children & their families in our county,” Mitchell wrote in her public announcement. She added: “Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. If I don’t know the answer, I will consult with members of our multidisciplinary team (MDT) & get back to you with the information I find.” An Instagram caption accompanying the announcement read in part: “This post is for my job as Baker County's Child Forensic Interviewer & as the Director of the Baker County Child Advocacy Center (BCCAC).”

The change matters locally because directors shape how child advocacy centers coordinate investigations, medical care, mental health referrals, and victim support. In rural counties like Baker, the director often helps bridge gaps between law enforcement, Department of Human Services staff, local schools, and regionally available specialists. Mitchell’s stated intent to share information about the center and to provide educational materials on child abuse reporting signals an emphasis on outreach and public-facing services in the months ahead.

For immediate concerns or to report suspected abuse, statewide reporting remains available 24 hours a day at the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline: 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). If the situation is not immediate danger but still serious, local law enforcement can be reached at the Baker City Police Department: (541) 523-3644, and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office: (541) 523-6415.

Child advocacy centers rely on rigorous training and multidisciplinary collaboration. National and regional trainers such as Linda Cordisco Steele, M.Ed., LPC, and Andra K. Chamberlin, M.A., bring decades of experience in forensic interviewing and CAC development. Organizations including the National Children’s Advocacy Center and CornerHouse provide training and resources, while regional experts such as Katie Greathouse, MSW, LCSW, and Joyce Prusak offer state-level guidance on MDT practice and interviewing guidelines. These networks shape best practices that small counties can draw on as they build capacity.

Readers should expect outreach from the BCCAC in the coming weeks as the center clarifies services, public contact options, and any planned education events. Mitchell’s announcement frames the center’s next steps around collaboration and information-sharing - a practical shift for families and professionals who rely on coordinated, trauma-informed responses in Baker County.