New child protection center opens

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Proudly cutting the ribbon to Austin's new child protection center on Wednesday, Brooke Adair seems to have it all.

A former Miss Austin Teen International, a recognized community volunteer and an aspiring Broadcast sports reporter, Adair said she knows her life is blessed. She also knows why.

"If it wasn't for the people I had around me when I younger, I would not be standing here today," said Adair. "It is the key to all this. It is your huddle, your supporters."

As also a victim of child abuse, Adair said it is a group of adults willing to help and stay with that victim every step of the way that makes the difference between a child with no hope and a child who believes in their future.

The new child protection center aims to do just that.

Housing members of multiple agencies involved in child protection, the new campus in East Austin will be a secure, single location for children to come to.

With prosecutors, police, CPS workers, sheriff's deputies and Center for Child Protection workers all in one location, child protection advocates said it will facilitate communication and speed up the healing process.

"Instead of having to call and make an appointment to see someone, we can walk right over to their desk," said Chris Van Deusen, a spokesperson for CPS. "That will make a big difference in how quickly we can move the process along."