Our Staff
Lauri Cothran – Executive Director
Lauri joined the Child Advocacy Center in 2009 and became the Director in 2010. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama with degrees in Advertising/Marketing and minor in Psychology. Lauri has worked to promote her adopted home town of Selma since her arrival in 1985. When the opportunity to join the staff of the CAC arose, she was thrilled to have the chance to help protect the most vulnerable citizens of all, the children. Through the CAC, Lauri works with leaders in our five county region to ensure the best outcome for child abuse victims and their families. She oversees all aspects of the Center, as well as offers trainings on Mandatory Reporting, Internet Safety and Darkness to Light curriculums.
Katie Griffith – Victim’s Advocate
Katie began her work as the Victim’s Advocate at the Child Advocacy Center in 2017. She is a graduate of Judson College with a BS in Criminal Justice and Biology. She completed her master’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. As a mother of four, Katie has a heart for helping children and believes strongly in the work of the CAC. As Victim’s Advocate, she provides support and resources to the children and families that come into the Center for services. Her responsibilities include scheduling forensic interviews, coordinating Multidisciplinary Team meetings and updating and maintaining records of all victims who have visited the CAC.
Teresa Collier - Forensic Interviewer
Teresa holds bachelor degrees in Biology and Psychology and a master’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. She worked for 8 years as an intelligence analyst with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency where she assisted federal, state and local law enforcement with human trafficking cases and trained law enforcement on how to investigate human trafficking crimes. In 2016, she developed a national level training program for fusion center human trafficking analysts which she still assists with today. In addition, she conducted a statewide training for Alabama State Troopers on the award winning “Interdiction for the Protection of Children” program. Teresa is also a Child Forensic Interview Specialist and has interviewed both child and adult victims of human trafficking. In 2018, Teresa received the Meritorious Service Award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for her work on a federal human trafficking case.
