Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center board selects interim executive director

Kelly Tourere Forister was appointed the interim executive director for the Williamson County Childrens Advocacy Center on Aug. 7 after Brenda Staples resigned from the position.

Staples had served as executive director for more than six years.

Forister had previously worked at the advocacy center as a forensic interviewer and program manager and has more than 10 years of experience in Child Protective Services, training and additional education associated with child abuse and the legal protection of children as well as a masters degree in social work from Louisiana State University, according to a news release.

"I am grateful and humbled to be appointed as interim executive director and look forward to the positive growth of our center and facilitating a better understanding of our role in the community with the ultimate goal of saving more children from the pain of trauma and abuse, Forister said in a statement.

The advocacy center provides a place for CPS, district and county attorneys, and 14 area law enforcement agencies to gather information. Services include forensic interviews, crisis intervention, and child and family counseling. Last year the center worked with more than 685 children and their families, according to the news release.

Forister said at this time a time frame has not been set by the board of directors to select a permanent executive director.