About Us

A team of passionate advocates for children and families in the Upper Valley.

What is a Children’s Advocacy Center?

When a child experiences abuse, they may have to tell their story repeatedly to various adults, such as police officers and judges. Reliving their story, as well as constant struggles for their families to find resources away from their abuser, can turn an already difficult situation into a traumatizing one.

Children’s advocacy centers (CACs) consist of trained professionals, who listen to a child’s story and then advocate for them throughout legal / mental health services.

Our Story

Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center (UVCAC) started in 2015 under the umbrella of another nonprofit agency. Anticipating small numbers of cases two staff members were tasked with providing child advocacy services to rural counties in southeast Idaho. As most often happens, if you build it, they will come. Between August-December of 2015, 20 new cases were brought in, in 2016 they had 57 new cases and in 2017 they had 129 with no signs of it slowing down. In 2018 it was decided that the child component had outgrown the nonprofit agency it was under and the process of becoming its own nonprofit was started. In October of 2018 Upper Valley CAC was granted 501(c)3 status and in January of 2019 they officially moved into their own building operating as their own nonprofit agency.

Since that day, UVCAC has grown from a staff of 3 to a staff of up to 14, and has had the opportunity to partner with numerous agencies across the state of Idaho (as well as nationally) to provide best practice services. Additionally, in 2021 UVCAC received national accreditation through the National Children’s Alliance. As of 2022 Upper Valley CAC has served over 700 child abuse survivors and their families, taught thousands of children child abuse prevention programs in local schools and have trained hundreds of educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers and community members on preventing and responding to child abuse.

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Meet Our
Child Advocacy Team

Ashley Stallings

Executive Director & Forensic Interviewer

Hi, I’m Ashley Stallings, the Executive Director of Upper Valley CAC. I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky. I moved to Rexburg, Idaho in 1999 to attend what was then Ricks College (which later became BYU-Idaho) where I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology. In 2016 I became a Child Advocate and was trained as a Forensic Interviewer in 2017 and I’m currently trained in both NICHD and Utah CJC Protocols. I completed my Master’s Degree through Montclair State University in Child Advocacy and Policy in 2019. I am credentialed as a Basic Level Comprehensive Victim Intervention Specialist through the National Advocate Credentialing Program.

My passion lies in helping child survivors of abuse and their families in their journey towards healing as well as teaching child abuse prevention programs to the community. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, running, hiking and paddle boarding around the many beautiful areas of Idaho. I’m also an avid fan of college football, the beach, diet coke and anything chocolate.

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Karissa Gorton

Finance Director

Hello! I am Karissa Gorton. I’m the Finance Director at Upper Valley CAC. With the Board of Directors’ oversight, I manage the financial aspects of the CAC.

Long ago, I went to school to become an Elementary Education teacher. I quickly realized I’d much rather work with numbers. I’ve spent 20 years managing finances for other businesses as well as for the business I own with my husband.

In 2018, I was approached by the Directors of the future Upper Valley CAC and asked to step into a role as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors. I did this for a year, then served as the President for a year. I stepped away to work in child advocacy on a state level but missed working in my own community. When an opportunity opened to become the Finance Director, I gladly accepted. It hurts me to see children in trauma situations, but I still have a desire to help. As the finance director, I get to do that! I help the CAC run without firsthand knowledge of what children are dealing with.

When I am not working with the CAC, I get to spend time with my best friends – my husband and kiddos. We enjoy working together, camping, riding the side-by-side in the mountains, vacationing, and just being together!

Talia Argyle

Advocate & Social Media Specialist

My name is Talia Argyle. I am one of the family advocates as well as our stats/data tracking specialist. In addition to these roles, I also run the social media pages. I have been a part of the team since April 2020. I received a bachelor’s in social work and go back and forth every day on whether to get a master’s degree or not. I am passionate about being a voice for those who do not have one. I love being a part of the UVCAC team and being a light for children and their families through their darkest days.

I currently live in sunny Arizona and work remotely for UVCAC. I am trying not to melt in the AZ heat, but I am loving the nice weather all year round. Most of the UVCAC staff like diet soda…but you will never find me drinking a diet drink. Give me all the sugary drinks. One of the things I miss the most, besides being in the office with the team, is getting a 32 or 44 oz Coke Posh from Pick Me Up Drinks.

Bethany Deschamps

Family Advocate and a Forensic Interviewer

My name is Bethany Deschamps and I am from Nephi, Utah. I am a Family Advocate and a Forensic Interviewer here at the UVCAC. I received my Bachelor’s in Social Work and am in the works of receiving my Masters degree in Social Work. I am passionate about helping children and families find joy and healing in their lives. Working at the UVCAC has been a highlight in my life and I love working with members of the community!

Sarah Johnson

Prevention Team & Community Outreach Specialist

Hi! I’m Sarah Johnson and I work on the Prevention/Education team. I received a B.S. in Health Science with an emphasis in Public Health in 2016. Domestic Violence and abuse have always been important to me and because of this I did my internship at the Family Crisis Center in Rexburg. I hope that through the Advocacy Center I can help empower kids and increase confidence in themselves!

I’ve been married since 2015 and have two crazy, fun kids. I love Pick Me Up and listening to all kinds of music!

Toni Mellman

Family Advocate

Hi, I’m Toni Mellman and I am a family advocate with the Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center. I did my internship at the center from January 2023 until April 2023 and graduated from BYU-Idaho that same April with a Bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies with an emphasis in Child and Family Advocacy. My family and I came from Northern Colorado up to Rexburg, Idaho in 2021 so I could finish my degree and it was one of the best decisions because now I’m able to work here! Being a part of the CAC is such a wonderful opportunity because I am very passionate about helping children and families, preventing child abuse, and making child advocacy centers a safe haven for them.

In my free time, I love spending time with my family and rescue dog, Owen, by going to parks and on walks. I also enjoy baking and trying new foods, reading a good book, watching a juicy show, and singing all sorts of songs.

Camille Shaw

Education Coordinator and Family Advocate

My name is Camille Shaw and I work as an education coordinator and family advocate for the Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center. I joined the team after spending time as an intern, which sparked my passion for the work. I am originally from northern California but relocated to Rexburg, Idaho to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Brigham Young University – Idaho. I received my degree in 2022 and have enjoyed growing professionally with the Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center. I love working with children and look forward to becoming a mother someday.

In my free time I enjoy dancing, playing the piano and guitar, baking and listening to Taylor Swift.

Meet Our
Board of Advisors

Jamie Anderson

My name is Jamie Anderson and I am a 5-Star Manager working in event management, and the office manager for SafeStreets. I have Bachelors of Science in social work. Having worked in the school system I love working with kids. Seeing many needs led me to my career in social work. I have had positive experiences working with the Family Crisis Center and Child Advocacy Center on a personal and professional level.

I love giving back to an organization that supports kiddos and their families and have organized and helped in several fundraising efforts in addition to sitting on the board for 2 years. Outside of serving on the board, I like to exercise outdoors and am planning on attacking my first Olympic triathlon (I had to learn how to swim first).

Samantha de Bruyn Kops

My name is Samantha de Bruyn Kops, and I am a Family Nurse Practitioner and practice at a local office. I am the medical liaison for the Board of Directors of UVCAC. I have been passionate about domestic violence & child abuse issues for over 30 years. Now that I have children, I am even more passionate about protecting them.

When I am not working, I love spending time with my 2 boys, and they keep me quite busy with their schedules. I seem to be growing more gray hair than normal because my oldest just got his driver’s license, and I still have one more to go!!

Eric Larsen

My name is Eric Larsen and I have served as a board member for the Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center since June 2023. I was first introduced to the center a year ago by my wife who was an intern at the time. After learning more about its purpose and mission, I was further impressed. Since joining the board, I am eager, now more than ever, to help those within our community who have been affected by child abuse.

Originally from Washington state, I am a senior at BYU-Idaho studying Biomedical Sciences. I have volunteered for numerous organizations, both on and off campus, having previously served as the Director of the student council at BYU-Idaho, Student Representative on the Rexburg City Council, and currently as a Clinician Aide at the Rexburg Free Clinic. Apart from my studies and volunteer work, some of my hobbies include running, watching college football, and spending time with my wife, Camille.

Daren Long

Board President

Hi. My name is Daren Long and I am the Board President for the Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center. While all board members and staff would prefer that children never need our care and assistance, we are passionate about being there for what is likely the most challenging and debilitating time of their lives. We want them to know they aren’t alone and that they are loved and valued. We appreciate the strengthening of our partnerships with law enforcement, prosecution, medical providers and related state and local agencies.

In my regular life, I am the Broker of RE/MAX Prestige and I have a Sports Construction business. I am a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and a winner of the Lifetime Achievement award. Accolades aside, I most appreciate helping families and the long term friendships that have resulted. I enjoy time with family, sports, practical jokes, and have a a penchant for all things Halloween – once winning a national award for best amateur haunted yard.

Sharon Portela

Board Secretary

Juvenile Probation Officer. I monitor youth who are sentenced to probation and help them meet the requirements of the court, addressing the strengths and needs of the youth, improving competency in specific areas of their lives that facilitate successful adulthood, and protecting the community.

I don’t have a specific educational / professional accomplishment. I have completed hundreds of hours of training in the last sixteen years.

I am honored to be a member of the board of Upper Valley Child Advocacy Center because I see daily the long-term effects of victimization, particularly when it is unaddressed and no services are provided to victims.

In my other life, my husband and I have eight grandchildren (AKA ‘the locusts’) that we love hanging out with. They (and their parents) are some of our favorite people. I enjoy shopping at expensive stores (the gas station and grocery store). I love to travel, and visit family.

Julie Whitehead

Julie Whitehead was born and raised in East Idaho and appreciates her Idaho roots. You might know her as Julie Mason on the conservative political talk show The Neal Larson Show and Mornings with Neal and Julie on Newstalk 107.9. Her career in Talk Radio was a completion of her high school and college careers of sports editors of the respective school papers and her love for writing. After raising three kids she reignited her passion for communication and dove head first into radio in 2017.

Julie also helped two regional companies (Austin Kade Academy and Royal Theaters) flourish over a cumulative 18 years in administrative positions.

Her strongest plea to listeners of the political talk genre is protection of those who can’t protect themselves. This foundation of child advocacy led her to interest in helping the Upper Valley Advocacy Center.

On a personal note, Julie and her husband Brad have three married children and one incredibly cute grandson.

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Upper Valley CAC

162 N. Yellowstone Highway

Rigby, ID 83442

(208)745-2612

info@uppervalleycac.org Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

Report Child Abuse

Idaho Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 855-552-KIDS (5437)