Written by: John DeRousie, Custom Marketing Solutions
FULTON, NY – Executive Director of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of Oswego County, Karrie Damm has announced that Melanie Proper is the agency’s newest mental health counselor.
Proper, who holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from SUNY Oswego, previously worked as a victim advocate with the CAC.
As a Mental Health Counselor, Proper will work closely with children, siblings and their parents as she provides therapeutic intervention regarding all types of child abuse and their effects, safety and prevention education, and support to children during their recovery from the experience.
“I look forward to the opportunity to interact one on one with the children and their families. Through individual assessments and family sessions I will develop an approach that is tailored to their unique needs,” said Proper.
Additionally she will work closely with the CAC’s Multi-Disciplinary Team, a collaborative effort designed to reduce the trauma to children and respective family members undergoing investigation of child sexual and physical abuse. The Multi-Disciplinary Team is comprised of a cross-section of law enforcement investigators, child protective services, medical providers, therapeutic professionals, victim support professionals, probation officials, and the district attorney’s office. The team maintains a well-coordinated, effective approach to child abuse investigation and prosecution, and service provision to families and individuals affected by child abuse. Team members also work to enhance prosecution of perpetrators involved in child victimization and to help facilitate positive legal outcomes for child victims and their families.
Damm is pleased to have Proper as a mental health counselor. “Melanie did an excellent job for us during her internship and employment as a Victim Advocate and we are fortunate that we were able to see her develop into this role in her career. She is very enthusiastic about her role as a counselor and cares deeply for the children that she works with. She is an important member of our staff and has really had a positive impact on our efforts at our satellite office in Pulaski,” said Damm.
Proper will be working at both the CAC’s main office at 301 Beech St., in Fulton and the agency’s new satellite site office at 4822 Salina St., Pulaski. “I’m excited to be able to expand counseling services at our Pulaski location. There is a need for our services in the northern part of the county and this new site will provide easy access for the families that we serve in the area,” added Proper.
A non-profit charitable organization, the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County provides a range of services to children who have been physically or sexually abused and provides a safe, child-friendly site for the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse. For more information on the CAC you may contact them at 315-592-4453.
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