New Orleans 2012 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient Announced

Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the New Orleans Division of the FBI, is pleased to announce his selection of the Audrey Hepburn Children at Risk Evaluation (CARE) Center at Children’s Hospital of New Orleans as the local recipient of the FBI’s 2012 Director’s Community Leadership Award in recognition of the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center’s outstanding efforts to provide care and counseling and to raise awareness for sexually and physically abused children.

Executive Director Stacie LeBlanc accepted this award on behalf of the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center, which was presented by SAC Anderson at the New Orleans FBI office Friday, November 30, 2012.

Stacie LeBlanc, on behalf of the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center, accepts the Director’s Community Leadership Award from New Orleans SAC Michael Anderson.

Since 1990, the FBI has publicly recognized individuals and organizations who have exhibited exemplary leadership within the local community and whose leadership has assisted the FBI and local law enforcement personnel in making safer communities with the distinction of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

Established in 1985, Children’s Hospital began offering services specifically for the medical diagnosis and treatment of children suspected of being sexually abused. Since its inception, the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center has expanded its services to assist physically abused children, to include counseling and education. Today, the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center offers pediatric forensic medicine to aid in the proper recognition, intervention, protection, prevention, and care of maltreated children.

Just as many communities across the United States, New Orleans has seen far too many of its children fall prey to abuse or neglect. FBI New Orleans has coordinated with the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center to conduct child victim interviews, refer cases for forensic examinations, and request investigative assistance on cyber crimes by analyzing digital images to determine the age of victims.

Additionally, the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center hosts free monthly meetings and training seminars to discuss child abuse prevention, to keep the New Orleans community informed on evolving child abuse issues and to educate medical and law enforcement officials on the value of forensic interview methodology. This partnership has allowed the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center and law enforcement to provide a swift response to child victims throughout the entire metropolitan New Orleans area.

LeBlanc will also attend a ceremony at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., in which the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center will be honored by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III.