Who We Are
KARE House is a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in good standing with the National Children’s Alliance. Located in Haywood County, we are dedicated to supporting children and families affected by child abuse, neglect, or exploitation. We accomplish this through comprehensive services including outreach, advocacy, specialized interventions, and a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach.
We partner closely with community stakeholders such as the Department of Social Services, Law Enforcement, and other community organizations serving children with lived experiences of abuse and neglect.
All our services are provided at no cost to ensure accessibility and to minimize further trauma to survivors and their families. By offering a wide range of support in a single location, we aim to foster a safe and nurturing environment for all those we serve.
What is a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC)?
The purpose of a CAC is to provide coordinated and compassionate services to support child victims of abuse and their families. CACs use a victim-centered approach which improves outcomes by bringing services to children versus bringing children to numerous services in different locations, minimizing further trauma.
Mission, Vision, Values
KARE House exists to facilitate a community response to child abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Haywood County through outreach, advocacy, and specialized interventions.
Our Mission
KARE House exists to facilitate a community response to child abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Haywood County through outreach, advocacy, and specialized interventions.
Our Vision
KARE's vision is to create a supportive community where all children can grow and thrive free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Our Values
Collaboration
We value open communication and engagement with our team, agency partners, and community.
Growth
We cultivate an environment of growth that includes awareness, learning, and adaptability to ensure we remain mindful of best practices.
Respect
We respect all people, maintaining integrity and professional ethics while providing equitable services.
Advocacy
We aim to dismantle adverse childhood experiences by influencing community engagement and utilizing evidence-based practices.
Dedication
We are dedicated to all children, families, team members, and the community.
To read more about the services we offer at KARE and how they directly support our mission and vision, click here.
Our Team
Savannah Anders, MPA, CA, CNE
Executive Director
Abby Bearden
Assistant Director
Ashley Toler, MA, LPA, HSP-PA, LCAS
Mental Health Program Manager
Sarah Gage, CMSW, LCSWA, CA
Mental Health Clinician
Mary Autrey, QMHP, CA
Victim Services Program Manager
Montserrat Jaimes-Caballero
Forensic Interviewer
Candra Johnson
Family Services Advocate
Demi Brancato, LCSW
Family Services Advocate
Lauren Lanoue
Community Safety Specialist
A Family Legacy
Haywood County has over a thirty year history of combating adverse childhood experiences. Noted as the number one county in the state of North Carolina for numerous years, the community became determined to remove this title. Key individuals throughout the county worked together to develop a volunteer-based school safety program for elementary school students.
As the school program began to grow and the need for trauma-informed services became more prevalent, the Haywood County Child Abuse Task Force was formed. Utilized to provide a community-coordinated response to child abuse and neglect, the task force looked to ensure open communication between those responding to investigations. At the same time, the children’s advocacy center movement was occurring throughout the nation.
As an avid businessman and a visionary in the Waynesville community, Robert Forga along with his wife, Viola, made a child advocacy center possible in Haywood County. The family’s vision and dedication to children led them to provide the space for the KARE House. Formally known as “The Robert Forga Family KARE House”, the space has allowed for hundreds of children and families to receive services in a space resembling a residential structure. The living room, toys, and lack of structured space, provide a warm and relaxing space for families who utilize the services provided by KARE.
As of 2018, thanks to the dedicated efforts of KARE and its community partners, Haywood County is currently out of the top ten counties for child abuse and maltreatment reports.
