Mission & Goals:

The Orleans County Child Advocacy Center and the Orleans County Special Investigations Unit (OCCAC/SIU) is a multidisciplinary team that ensures children and families involved in sexual abuse or egregious physical abuse cases receive constant child-friendly services from law enforcement, prosecution, and protective services, including timely and effective education counseling. These cases require special expertise in the area of investigation and services to victims to enhance protection and to facilitate court proceedings. The OCCAC/SIU proactively investigates these cases and emphasizes prevention through education and training. The operations of the OCCAC/SIU promote cooperative efforts between municipalities, police, prosecutor’s office, medical community, child protective services, schools, and other advocacy groups.

Our Goals:

· Investigate reports of child and adult sexual assault and severe child physical abuse using specially trained investigators.

· Minimize further trauma to victims by providing a safe place to talk with investigators.

· Refer children and adult victims and non-offending family members to services designed to help them heal.

· Create public awareness of the challenges of child abuse through outreach and education.

Our Team:

Lynn-Renee Brochu - Executive Director - LynnRenee.Brochu@partner.vermont.gov

Abbey Lalime - Victim Advocate/Case Coordinator - abbey.lalime@partner.vermont.gov

Detective James Leclair - Newport Police Department

Detective Trooper Mark Pohlman - Vermont State Police

Detective Trooper Jason Danielson - Vermont State Police

Board of Directors:

Jennifer Harlow - Board Chair - Orleans County Sheriff

Amanda Cochrane -Board Vice Chair - Umbrella Executive

Joe Malgieri - Former OCCAC ED, Retired Attorney

Abby Provost - SANE nurse, North County Hospital

Steve Marsh - Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Community Bancorp. And Community National Bank, Retired 

Nikole Brainard - Vice President & Controller, Community National Bank

Sergeant Travis Bingham - Chief of Newport Police Department

Farzana Leyve - Orleans County State's Attorney

Patrick Ryan - Department for Children and Families Director of Newport District Office

Detective Sergeant Karl Gardner - Vermont State Police

Samantha Stevens - North Country Supervisory Union, Community School's Coordinator