York County Children's Advocacy
Elizabeth Wolf -Past Club President and Deb Harrison
To view meeting: https://youtu.be/o1_Sw3It99U
August 19, 2025 - The York East Rotary Club welcomed Deb Harrison, Executive Director of the York County Children’s Advocacy Center, as the guest speaker at its Tuesday breakfast meeting. Harrison provided an in-depth look at how the Center serves children and families impacted by abuse, and how its collaborative model strengthens the countywide response to these difficult cases. Harrison explained that the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) was founded to provide a safe, child-friendly place where children can share their stories with trained professionals. Families are often referred to the Center by law enforcement, child protective services, or medical providers when there are concerns of abuse. “Our goal,” Harrison told the group, “is to reduce the trauma children experience by ensuring they only need to tell their story once, in a supportive and compassionate setting.” She highlighted the CAC’s multi-disciplinary approach, which brings together law enforcement officers, prosecutors, social workers, and medical and mental health professionals to ensure every case receives coordinated attention. This teamwork not only helps to protect children but also provides families with resources and support during what can be an overwhelming and painful process. The Center also plays an important role in prevention and education, Harrison noted. In addition to direct services, the organization works with schools, community groups, and agencies to raise awareness about child abuse and to provide training on recognizing and reporting signs of abuse.