Yolo County’s Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center Renamed in Honor of Former Director
Nov 12, 2024 11:02AM ● By Yolo County District Attorney’s Office News ReleaseFrom left, Cameron’s Place past and present staff poses: Former Investigator Steve Gill, Investigator Ron Trn, Child Interview Specialist Tera Lepe, Social Worker Natalia Villagomez, Mental Health Clinician Monique Marin, Cameron’s Place Director Cecilia Lopez, Former Director Cameron Handley, Child Interview Specialist Pat Paragas, Empower Yolo Associate Director Celina Alvarez and Former MDIC Program Manager Shobna Sharma. Photo courtesy of Yolo County District Attorney’s Office
WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - The Yolo County Children’s Advocacy Center, previously known as the Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center (MDIC), has officially changed its name to Cameron’s Place. Established in 2003, under the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, this center provides forensic interviews and support services for child victims of abuse and their families. Cameron’s Place is a vital resource for our community, and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated center in Yolo County.
Cameron’s Place is a collaborative effort involving all Yolo County law enforcement agencies, Health and Human Services Agency, Mental Health and Child Welfare, Empower Yolo, Sutter Health, Yolo County Victim Services and the District Attorney’s Office, among others. This multi-disciplinary team ensures a comprehensive response to child abuse in the community.
The center was inspired by the vision of its former director, Cameron Handley, who dedicated her life to supporting children after learning about effective, trauma-informed approaches to handling child abuse cases. Cameron retired in December 2021.
From left, Cameron’s Place past and present staff poses: Former Investigator Steve Gill, Investigator Ron Trn, Child Interview Specialist Tera Lepe, Social Worker Natalia Villagomez, Mental Health Clinician Monique Marin, Cameron’s Place Director Cecilia Lopez, Former Director Cameron Handley, Child Interview Specialist Pat Paragas, Empower Yolo Associate Director Celina Alvarez and Former MDIC Program Manager Shobna Sharma. Photo courtesy of Yolo County District Attorney’s Office
Cameron’s Place coordinates investigations, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse cases, significantly reducing trauma for victims. Research shows that centers like this one provide tailored support and save resources while enhancing collaboration among partners. Thanks to the many relationships Cameron built throughout her career, the Multi-Disciplinary Team continues to provide essential services to victims and their families, ensuring that they receive the support they need during them most challenging times.
“Renaming the center honors Cameron’s incredible legacy and makes it easier for families to remember us,” said Cecilia Lopez, Director of Cameron’s Place. “Our mission to advocate for and support the children of Yolo County remains unchanged, as do our location, contact information, and dedicated staff. We are committed to providing the highest level of services and support to our community.”
Jeff Reisig, Yolo County District Attorney, stated, “Cameron’s Place represents a unified commitment to supporting the most vulnerable, our community’s children, and ensuring that their voices are heard.”
In the coming weeks, you will see updates to our signage, website, and other materials to reflect our new name. We appreciate the community’s support during this transition and look forward to continuing our work under our new name. To learn more about Cameron’s Place, visit https://yoloda.org.