The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Inc.

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The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Inc. The CCFA specializes in nurturing healthy relationships & assisting in the healing of trauma & abuse. This is a safe-house for women and their children.

The CCFA provides services to address general mental health concerns for children, adolescents and adults. In addition, the agency specializes in responding to, advocating for, and assisting in the healing of individuals who have experienced trauma and abuse. The CCFA has locations in Defiance, Fulton, Henry and William counties. Some clinical services that the CCFA offer include individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy and sand and play therapy. Domestic Violence treatment, Child Sexual Abuse treatment and Sexual Abuse treatments are also offered. The CCFA also has a women’s domestic violence shelter, called the House of Ruth. The house provides safe shelter, support, resources and a home-environment. We also have three Family Justice Center’s located in Defiance, Fulton and Henry counties, that have victim advocates. Advocate services are available to victims of crime and unreported abuse. Advocates are trained professionals who assist with safety planning, community and program referrals, as well as helping to navigate the criminal justice system. There are many prevention programs that are offered through the CCFA. Some of these include Safe Dates, Play It Safe, domestic violence programming and more. Along with all the above services, the CCFA also has a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC,) a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART,) Domestic Violence Support Groups and a 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline ( 1-800-782-8555 or 419-782-1100.)

For Day 3 of our Forensic Nurses Week staff spotlights, we're proud to introduce Janice Bearer, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC, CEN,...
11/04/2026

For Day 3 of our Forensic Nurses Week staff spotlights, we're proud to introduce Janice Bearer, MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC, CEN, Medical Director! Janice brings decades of experience and a passion for education, collaboration, and advancing forensic nursing. We're grateful for the knowledge and expertise she shares with our team and community.

What inspired you to become a forensic nurse?

I was offered one of the first in-person classes through Dr. Kathleen Brown, an icon who pioneered forensic nursing and still teaches at the University of Pennsylvania. The Assistant District Attorney, Jackie Bernard, Esquire, and Women and Children's Services of Blair County, Pennsylvania, helped a group of nurses from Bon Secours Hospital recognize the need for this forensic specialty. Their professionalism and enthusiasm engaged me.

I was able to work with law enforcement and our local coroner for nearly seven years and pioneered the SART program in that area. I also helped establish the program in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

What is something you wish more people knew about forensic nursing?

I wish people understood the commitment and dedication nurses give of themselves, both physically and emotionally. The old quote, "It takes a special person," applies to forensic nurses tenfold!

What is one thing you’re especially proud of in your work?

I am very proud of what I started in Blair and Huntingdon counties. I was able to offer my expertise in other positions and share my knowledge at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. We would teach a class on forensic examinations for Physician Assistant students. Spreading that knowledge would be my proudest work.

Fun fact about you:

I have run an ultramarathon. Yes, 38 miles at one time, times two! Still one of my greatest accomplishments!

Thirty years of experience, a legacy of building programs, and a passion for passing knowledge along. Janice is a wonderful example of the lasting impact forensic nurses can have on their profession and the communities they serve.

Join us as we continue celebrating the incredible forensic nurses who make a difference every day!

Celebrating Forensic Nurses Week: Meet Sarah Langenderfer!Every day, forensic nurses show up for people during some of l...
11/03/2026

Celebrating Forensic Nurses Week: Meet Sarah Langenderfer!

Every day, forensic nurses show up for people during some of life's most difficult and vulnerable moments. Their work requires not only clinical expertise, but compassion, patience, and a commitment to making sure no one has to navigate those moments alone.

For Day 2 of our Forensic Nurses Week staff spotlights, we're excited to introduce Sarah Langenderfer, BSN, RN, SANE-P! We're grateful for the care, dedication, and compassion Sarah brings to the patients and families she serves.

What inspired you to become a forensic nurse?

My inspiration to become a forensic nurse came from wanting to make a difference for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. With my background in emergency nursing, forensic nursing offered a way to combine clinical skills with compassionate care and advocacy.

What is something you wish more people knew about forensic nursing?

I wish more people knew how emotionally heavy forensic nursing can be. You care for people during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and their stories often stay with you. It's not easy work, but everyone deserves someone willing to show up, listen, and care for them with compassion. Being that person is what makes this work so meaningful.

What is one thing you’re especially proud of in your work?

I'm especially proud of the difference I can make in the lives of my patients and their families. Whether it's helping a child feel safe, giving a worried parent some comfort, or supporting a victim's family during a heartbreaking time, I'm proud to be someone they can turn to. I can't change what happened, but I can help them feel heard, supported, and a little less alone.

Fun fact about you:

A fun fact about me is that I love dressing up for Halloween, theme parties, or any occasion that calls for a costume! I love getting creative and having fun with it!

Join us as we continue celebrating the incredible forensic nurses who bring compassion, expertise, and unwavering support to survivors and families throughout our community.

Giving Tuesday is officially one month away! At The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, our mission as a non-profit is...
11/03/2026

Giving Tuesday is officially one month away! At The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, our mission as a non-profit is to empathetically nurture healthy relationships and empower those we serve through education, prevention and individualized treatment. We provide general mental health services for children, adolescents and adults, while specializing in trauma-informed care and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, neglect and human trafficking. Your generosity this Giving Tuesday directly supports those in our community. Learn more and donate today: www.givebutter.com/CCFAgiving 💙

Celebrating Forensic Nurses Week: Meet Sharla Young!Forensic nurses play an extraordinary role in supporting survivors, ...
11/02/2026

Celebrating Forensic Nurses Week: Meet Sharla Young!

Forensic nurses play an extraordinary role in supporting survivors, bridging the worlds of healthcare, advocacy, and justice. This Forensic Nurses Week, we're celebrating five of the incredible CCFA staff members who dedicate their knowledge, compassion, and expertise to this important work.

First up is Sharla Young, MSN, RN, AFN-C, SANE-A, IVSE-C, SVFN-C! We're proud to spotlight Sharla and the passion she brings to caring for survivors, strengthening community partnerships, and making a difference every day.

What inspired you to become a forensic nurse?

What inspired me to become a forensic nurse is my passion for helping others, particularly during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I want to be a voice of positivity and encouragement for someone who has experienced violence to make sure they know they are heard, they are believed, and they are not alone. I believe the words we choose matter, and I want to use mine to instill confidence, restore a sense of control, and empower survivors as they begin moving forward toward healing.

What is something you wish more people knew about forensic nursing?

I wish more people knew just how incredibly cool forensic nursing is! It’s so much more than collecting evidence. It brings together nursing, medicine, science, investigation, advocacy, and the legal system in a way that allows us to care for patients while also helping give a voice to what they’ve experienced. Every case is different, there is always something new to learn, and the work we do can make an impact far beyond the exam room.

What is one thing you’re especially proud of in your work?

I’m especially proud of the relationships we’ve built within our community. Through education and collaboration, we’ve strengthened the connections between forensic nursing and our multidisciplinary partners, and I’ve seen firsthand how much our community has grown because of it. And I have to admit, I’m pretty proud of the growing alphabet soup of credentials behind my name, too! Mostly because those letters represent how much I love learning, growing, and using that knowledge to make a difference for others.

Fun fact about you:

My girls lovingly compare me to Goofy from A Goofy Movie. They used to dread being trapped alone in the car with me because they never knew what random, and sometimes completely off-the-wall, question I was going to ask them. Apparently, creating awkward moments comes quite naturally to me.

Join us throughout Forensic Nurses Week as we continue celebrating the dedicated professionals who make a difference in the lives of survivors and families throughout our community.

Let your heart be light this holiday season! Join us for our 26th Annual Symphony of Trees event. Grab your family and f...
11/02/2026

Let your heart be light this holiday season! Join us for our 26th Annual Symphony of Trees event. Grab your family and friends, celebrate with our community, and support a great cause! Get tickets and event details at www.symphonyoftrees.com.

Hello November! 🍁
11/01/2026

Hello November! 🍁

As October comes to an end, Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be wrapping up, but the work and conversations don't s...
10/30/2026

As October comes to an end, Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be wrapping up, but the work and conversations don't stop here. The truth is that everyone knows someone who has been impacted by domestic violence. Awareness isn't just for one month out of the year, it's an ongoing commitment to support survivors, listen without judgement, and remember that healing takes time. If you or someone you know needs support, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 💜

10/26/2026

Symphony of Trees is proud to raise money to support resources and supports provided for children in Northwest Ohio!

We work with three agencies annually who do good in our communities. These three women serve as our liaisons to each agency and we could not be more grateful for the work they put in to help us reach our annual goal of $100,000!

Roberta Mack (L) - Executive Director for The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Inc.

Jennifer Porter (C) - Executive Director for Northwest Ohio CASA

Kortney Williams (R) - Director of Marketing and Development for Henry County Hospital

Last month, our Community Prevention Coordinator traveled to Columbus to attend the Prevention Planning Series, hosted b...
10/23/2026

Last month, our Community Prevention Coordinator traveled to Columbus to attend the Prevention Planning Series, hosted by the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV). This collaborative gathering brought together professionals from across the state to brainstorm, connect, and help shape the future of prevention and education in Ohio. We are proud to be part of these statewide efforts!

We are so excited to be a 2026 Mary Kay Ash Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Recipient! This $20,000 grant wil...
10/22/2026

We are so excited to be a 2026 Mary Kay Ash Foundation Domestic Violence Shelter Grant Recipient! This $20,000 grant will help us continue to maintain critical services and programs for domestic violence survivors in Ohio.

The House of Ruth supports victims of domestic violence, sexual assault/violence or any victim of crime fleeing immediate danger. In 2026, the House of Ruth provided services to 172 clients for 1214 nights of stay and answered 371 hotline calls.

A special thank you to Joy Edwards, May Kay Ambassador, who has been involved over the past several years with our agency. We appreciate all she does in the community to help end domestic violence against women.

To learn more ways to support this and other amazing causes, you can visit marykayashfoundation.org. 💗

Pictured from left to right: Roberta Mack (Executive Director); Joy Edwards (Mary Kay Ambassador); Tara Fredrick (Finance Director) and Tammy Rau (Shelter Director.)

Address

219 East Washington Street
Napoleon, OH
43545

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14195920540

Website

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