Tracie Cadiente
CASA Program Director/Advocate Supervisor
Tracie Cadiente is an alumna of Central Baptist College with a B.S. in Psychology and Christian Counseling. Tracie is a Community of Hope Chaplin, a Stephens Minister, and a Marriage Mentor. Her prior work experience includes being a caseworker for the Department of Children and Family Services. She was also an investigator and litigation claims specialist for two major insurance companies. Tracie has been married for 34 years has 6 grown children and 3 grandchildren. She loves to travel and her hobbies include scuba, snorkeling, and spending time with her family.
Tracie is the founder of a non-profit agency, whose mission is to demonstrate God’s Love is an action by providing programs that will transform the lives of families before they enter a crisis situation. Tracie’s words to live by: Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness. God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. All we need is faith, hard work, and a passion for those in need.
Cally Huggins
CAC Program Director/Forensic Interviewer
Cally started at the CAA as an intern in 2019, where she fell in love with the agency’s model and mission. After her internship, she became a forensic interviewer and family advocate. Cally later moved to Louisiana, where she worked at the New Orleans Children’s Advocacy Center as a contract Forensic Interviewer and Children’s Advocacy Center – Hope House as the Senior Forensic Interviewer. In 2024, Cally returned to her roots in Arkansas and happily rejoined the CAA as the CAC Program Director and Forensic Interviewer.
Cally graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and sociology. She is trained in multiple forensic interviewing protocols, including ChildFirst, RADAR, and NCAC.
In her free time, Cally enjoys spending time with her husband and son, going for walks, and visiting coffee shops.
Kennedy Holleman
Education Specialist
Kennedy is originally from the town of Springdale, Arkansas and moved to Conway when she decided to pursue a degree through the University of Central Arkansas. She graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. From a very young age Kennedy knew she wanted to work with children and help be the voice for them. Through various opportunities in Kennedy’s educational career, she has seen first hand how much of a difference one person can be for a child. Education and prevention is something that Kennedy holds close to her heart, and believes everyone, no matter what their profession is, should have training or basic information on what to do if something is to happen. In her spare time, Kennedy enjoys being outdoors, reading, and spending time with her husband and dogs.
“As hard and uncomfortable the conversation is surrounding child abuse and neglect, it still needs to happen. The more we try to hide from it, the more we aren’t able to help the kids who need us.”
Courtney McPherson
Trauma Therapist
Courtney McPherson, LCSW, is a Licensed Certified Social Worker and the trauma psychotherapist for the Children’s Advocacy Alliance. She holds a graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Oregon State University. Courtney is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist in Sex Trafficking and Exploitation (CCTS-S). Courtney has extensive experience and education working with survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation which carries with it a unique, complex set of traumatic symptoms. Courtney utilizes evidence-based treatments such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (EMDR), cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and aspects of art and play therapy, among others, to help children and adolescents process the trauma(s) they’ve endured and grow from their experiences. When necessary, Courtney also assists our clients and their families by being a support to them as they navigate the justice system. Courtney also serves on the Advisory Council to the Arkansas Supreme Court’s Commission on Children, Youth, and Families. Through the agency’s training series, Courtney shares education on domestic minor sex trafficking and trauma informed caregiving. Courtney resides in Conway with her husband, Justin, and their two cats, Georgia and Charles. She enjoys game nights, costume parties, beach trips, and a good 90s/00s hip-hop playlist. She dislikes coffee, humidity, road trips, and Spanx.
Jennifer Riney
Family Advocate
Originally from Northeast Arkansas, Jennifer relocated to Central Arkansas to attend the University of Central Arkansas. Jennifer’s passion for helping families is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. Growing up, Jennifer saw how domestic violence, alcoholism, and sexual assault affected the families in her neighborhood. These challenges equipped her with the empathy, compassion, and strength necessary to support and advocate for other families facing similar obstacles. Her educational background, along with her employment background, have provided her with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate with families, understand their unique situations, and provide them with the resources and support they need to thrive. As a family advocate, she is committed to empowering families in crisis to make informed decisions, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their voices are heard. She believes every family deserves the opportunity to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives; and is dedicated to helping them achieve that goal.
Brooke Lasley
Family Advocate
Brooke Lasley is a Family Advocate in our satellite office in Clinton. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Child Advocacy from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Brooke started working as a Family Service Worker for the Department of Children and Family Services in 2019 and is looking forward to using that experience to help the satellite office grow and become a stronger resource for the community. Brooke is originally from Bryant, AR but currently resides in Shirley.
Carrie Curtis
Advocate Supervisor
Carrie was born and raised here in Arkansas and spent most of her childhood in Pangburn, Arkansas. She moved to Conway after high school to attend the University of Central Arkansas. She graduated from UCA in 1998 and remained in Conway for the community. “I loved the community and felt like a could make my home here. I have resided here ever since raising my 13 year old daughter and our assorted pets.”
Carrie had many opportunities in her youth to be able to volunteer for multiple organizations and learned quickly how fulfilling it was to help others and become a part of healing experiences. Carrie has spent almost two decades working with victims of abuse. She is thrilled to continue her career in helping protect and serve the smallest of those that need us the most.