At a recent board meeting, the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) officially announced its 2023/2024 line-up of board members and officers: Renee Pellegrino, President; Khaliqa Wheatley, Vice President; and Alan Wood, Treasurer; immediate past President, Janet Parker; Audie Rowell, Blake Morar, Candance Vlahos, Cindy Cole, Dr. Dennis Lichorwic, Heather Parrish, Michael Thompson, Neslihan Suhi-Moore, Shannon Amos, Shan Eubanks, Stephanie Brannon, Tammy Pierce, Tom Saffel, Tracy McLean; and Velia Lala.
“It is our mission to build a better, healthier future by ending child abuse, one child at a time. Our board members will all work diligently to help achieve this,” said Renee Pellegrino.
ECCAC provides services in a child-friendly environment to help identify, treat and support children in abusive situations, as well as helping to prevent child abuse through education and prevention programs. With the Julie Sacco Porterfield Family Center in Okaloosa County and the Pierce Family Center in Walton County, they house representatives from the Florida Department of Children and Families, Child Protection Team, State Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement, licensed mental health counselors, and ECCAC’s staff and volunteers. In ECCAC’s 24-year history, more than 15,000 children have received more than 170,000 services at no cost. Visit eccac.org or call 850-400-3488. If abuse is suspected, call the anonymous Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
