Staff

Erika has worked with children and families since 2001, with a focus in the field of child abuse since 2006. She became the JCAC Director in 2010. In addition to non-profit management and fundraising, her areas of expertise include working with child abuse survivors and their families, forensic interviewing, child development, victim advocacy, child abuse prevention and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach.

Erika has collaborated with elected officials for the changing of laws to better serve child victims of abuse. She has testified in numerous child abuse cases, provides forensic interview supervision, and serves as an MDT and community educator.

As a founding executive board member of the Louisiana Alliance of Children’s Advocacy Centers (LACAC), Erika currently serves as the Board President. She is also a community representative for the Jefferson Parish Children & Youth Planning Board and a former Vice-Chair of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Louisiana Program Advisory Council.

Erika holds a Master’s in Counseling and Bachelor’s in Psychology from Loyola University New Orleans. A Nationally Certified, Licensed Professional Counselor and state-qualified Forensic Interviewer, she is also a Darkness to Light Stewards of Children Facilitator. Outside of work, Erika enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children. 

Madison is one of the Jefferson CAC’s Forensic Interviewers and Jefferson Parish Multidisciplinary Team Coordinators. The New Jersey Native received both her Bachelor’s in Criminology and Justice, with minors in Psychological Sciences and Forensic Science, and Master’s in Criminology and Justice from Loyola University in New Orleans. Madison is trained in the National CAC’s Forensic Interviewing Protocol, is a qualified Forensic Interviewer in the state of Louisiana, and a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC). Madison loves her new home in New Orleans enjoying all that it offers including cooking, reading, and going to movies.

Reese is one of the Jefferson CAC’s Forensic Interviewers and Jefferson Parish Multidisciplinary Team Coordinators. The former captain of her college swim team, she received both her Bachelor’s in Criminology and Justice and her Masters in Criminal Justice from Loyola University New Orleans. In her free time you can find, the St. Louis native at the pool, park, local coffee shop or spending time friends and family.

Haile is one of the Community Care Coordinators and authorized Darkness to Light Stewards of Children facilitators at the CAC. A native New Orleanian and employed by the Kenner Police Department, she received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. While in college, she interned at a CAC, and after working with the Family Advocate there, she knew this work was what she was called to do. Haile has extensive knowledge in child abuse, domestic violence as well as human trafficking when she worked with the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force. In her free time enjoys spending time with her godchildren, baking cookies, and hiking in the Appalachian Mountains.

Erin is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor working on her LPC and is one of the Community Care Coordinators at the CAC. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health, as well as her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Pathology from Xavier University of Louisiana. She brings five years of experience working with DWI and substance abuse clients from the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office in Pre-Trial Diversion. When not working she enjoys traveling and spending time with her dog.   

Kelli is a licensed professional, nationally certified and trauma-focus certified counselor employed by Children’s Bureau of New Orleans. She serves as one of the Jefferson Children’s Advocacy Center’s on-site trauma therapists, through a partnership with Children’s Bureau of New Orleans. Kelli received her Master of Education from the University of New Orleans Counselor Education Program with a focus on Clinical Mental Health. She completed her practicum and internships at the Jefferson Parish Department of Juvenile Services by providing individual, family, and group counseling to detained youth, as well as those on probation. Formerly with Milestones Mental Health Agency for over 6 years, Kelli has extensive experience providing individual and family counseling in the community, schools and homes. She specializes and is trained in clinical assessments (CALOCUS), and Grief and Trauma Interventions, as well as certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She is a Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children Certified Facilitator and clinical consultant of the Jefferson Parish Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), who has presented on topics including: the treatment of child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, and problematic sexualized behaviors. When not working, she loves her New Orleans Saints, Jazzercise, festivals and traveling.

Taylor comes to the Jefferson CAC through our partnership with the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans. She serves as one of Jefferson Children’s Advocacy Center on-site trauma-informed therapists. Taylor received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Tuskegee University and her Masters of Science in Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University. Through her clinical experience she has fostered a passion for working with marginalized communities and approaches counseling from a trauma-informed perspective while utilizing narrative and expressive art techniques in session with clients. Taylor is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Grief and Trauma Interventions (GTI). Volunteering with her sorority members, reading, painting and binge-watching her favorite shows are some of the ways that Taylor enjoys her free time.

Molly Pilgrim, our Office Manager and Administrative Assistant, brings a wealth of experience to our team. With a background in human resources and accounting from her previous role at the Jefferson Parish DA’s Office and as a Realtor, she is well-equipped to handle a wide range of responsibilities.

A former PTA board member, accomplished event coordinator and fundraiser, Molly now dedicates her free time to volunteering at GiGi’s Place, supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Outside of work and volunteering, she enjoys exploring local art markets, attending music festivals and spending quality time with her two grown children and rescue dog, Lola.