Moore County Children's Advocacy Center

10/31/2025

🎃 5 Halloween Safety Tips for a Fun & Safe Night!

Stay Visible!
Use reflective tape, flashlights or glow sticks so drivers can see you after dark. 💡

Plan a Safe Route.
Stick to well-lit areas, sidewalks, and always use crosswalks.🚸

Check Costumes.
Ensure costumes fit well, avoid long hems that can trip you up, and opt for face paint over masks for improved visibility. 🧙♀️

Inspect Treats.
Wait until you’re home to eat candy and check for any wrappers that look unusual or opened. 🍬

Stay Together.
Trick-or-treat in groups or with a trusted adult. 👻

Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy all the spooky sweetness this Halloween! 🎃💛

10/24/2025

At Southmountain Children and Family Services, we believe every child deserves safety, hope, and a chance to heal.

We're more than just a team ... we’re a family! And right now, we’re looking for passionate people to join us in making a difference.

If you have a heart for children and a desire to create lasting change, we’d love to meet you.

✨ Apply today and help us build brighter futures, together.

www.southmountain.org/employment

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10/08/2025

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧. 💛

Like, saying yes when you can.

Sometimes, connection means flexibility. Saying “yes” to small things, like a late-night snack or a spontaneous outing, shows her that you value time together.

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09/20/2025

✨ Did You Know? ✨

Strong partnerships with law enforcement are essential to the work of a Children’s Advocacy Center. When a child experiences abuse, investigators and our team work hand-in-hand to make sure that the child only has to tell their story once, in a safe and supportive environment. This collaboration helps ensure both justice and healing. 💙

That’s why we are so proud to celebrate Captain of Investigations, Shannon Darling, on her recent graduation from the FBI National Academy — one of the most prestigious leadership programs in the country for law enforcement. 👏

Captain Darling’s dedication and expertise strengthen the bridge between law enforcement and our CAC, ensuring that children and families in our community are met with both compassion and professionalism.

Please join us in congratulating Captain Darling on this outstanding achievement! 🎉

The Aberdeen Police Department would like to congratulate our Captain of Investigations, Captain Shannon Darling, on her completion of the FBI National Academy.

FBI National Academy Session 295 Graduation
QUANTICO, VA- 254 law enforcement officers graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 295th session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 49 states and the District of Columbia. The class included 22 members of law enforcement agencies from 20 countries, 10 members of six military organizations, and four members of federal civilian organizations.

Captain Darling began her law enforcement career over a decade ago in Kansas City, Kansas. She joined the Aberdeen Police Department in 2017, where she first served in the Patrol Division before being promoted to Investigations. Captain Darling has held every rank within the Investigations Division.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Arizona State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She also possesses an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, a Criminal Investigations Certificate through the North Carolina Justice Academy, and is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Executive Program at North Carolina State University.

Captain Darling is a member of the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and actively serves on the Moore County Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force. She also holds her General Instructor Certification and serves as an adjunct instructor with Sandhill’s Community College

Chief Chavis Response:
“I am tremendously proud of Operations Captain Shannon Darling and her successful completion of the prestigious FBI National Academy. Her achievement will not only enhance her knowledge and preparation but will also positively impact our entire department. We are excited to have Captain Darling back, as she is a valuable part of our day-to-day operations and will continue to play a key role in helping move our department to the next level.”

09/09/2025

✨ Confidence isn’t something kids are just born with; it’s something they can build! 💪 Whether it’s trying a new activity, learning from mistakes, or celebrating small wins, every step helps them believe in themselves a little more. 🌟

09/04/2025

🌊✨ Suds of Support is Back! ✨🚗🫧

Save the date: Friday, September 19th, is Tidal Wave Auto Spa Annual Charity Day! 💙

On this special day, 100% of the proceeds will be donated directly to the Moore County Children’s Advocacy Center and Annandale Village. 💖

Every wash makes a difference, from supporting kids through healing to strengthening families right here in our community. Together, we can turn clean cars into brighter futures. 🌟

📍 Where: Tidal Wave Auto Spa, 1403 N. Sandhills Blvd, Aberdeen
🕘 When: All day, Friday, September 19th

Come out, get your shine on, and help us make waves of change! 🌊💙

08/15/2025

𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭.

They do it with a smile, every day, helping children feel safe, understood, and cared for.
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𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭!

👇 Show your support by liking, sharing, or commenting below!

08/06/2025

Only about 1 in 3 cases of child abuse are ever identified and reported to authorities.

Why don’t children report?
🔹 Afraid no one will believe them
🔹 Feel ashamed, guilty, or confused
🔹 Threatened or scared by the abuser
🔹 Care about or trust the abuser
🔹 Don’t realize it was abuse

💡 Most children do not tell and when they do, they often tell someone they trust before ever telling a professional. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭!

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07/31/2025

🧱 Myth: “There’s nothing I can do to prevent child abuse.”
✅ Fact: Everyone can play a role in prevention! Here are some actionable steps:

𝟏. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬
💛 Lend a hand to overwhelmed parents.
📣 Promote programs that strengthen parenting skills.
🎁 Donate to your local Children’s Advocacy Center.

𝟐. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 & 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬
👀 Learn the signs of emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect.
🗣️ Share what you learn—with friends, coworkers, and your community.

𝟑. 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐔𝐩 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟
📞 In North Carolina, you are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect—even if you're unsure.
❗ You don't need proof—just concern.

𝟒. 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
🧠 Talk to kids early and often about body safety.
🗺️ Use correct anatomical terms.
🚦 Teach and respect personal boundaries. kids about body safety, use anatomical names for body parts and encourage boundaries.

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07/16/2025

We're competing for The Best of the Pines and need your help!

✅ Visit: bestofthepines.com
✅ Scroll down and click the green graphic: ARTS AND COMMUNITY
✅ On the sidebar, click: PLACE TO GIVE YOUR TIME OR MONEY: CHILDREN
✅ Find MOORE COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER and VOTE!

✅ Scroll down and click the green graphic: FAMILY
✅ On the sidebar, click: PPEDIATRIC THERAPY SERVICE
✅ Find MOORE COUNTY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER and VOTE!

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗬 27!

Your support means the world to us! 🌟

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Nominations: June 2-22. Voting: July 9-27.

07/14/2025

🌞 𝙱𝚒𝚐 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚐 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎! 💛

There’s still time to make a donation to our summer campaign, and every dollar raised supports trauma-informed care, nurturing foster homes and the vital resources children need to feel protected, valued, and supported.

𝚆𝚎’𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚈𝙾𝚄!

🫶 Will you help us close the gap?
📲 Donate today: www.southmountain.org/donate

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07/04/2025

🇺🇸 💙 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔.

Freedom means family. Freedom means healing. Freedom means hope!

This Independence Day, we celebrate the resilience of our children, the strength of our families, and the compassion of the community that surrounds them.

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and meaningful 4th of July! ❤️ 🎆

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