Liberty House Hires New Director

"I am deeply honored to join the Liberty House team, and I am looking forward to working for a great organization that provides such critical services to the children and families of Marion and Polk Counties" - Alison Kelley

Alison Kelley

(SALEM) - The Liberty House Board of Directors has hired Alison Kelley to become its new Chief Executive Officer. Kelley will step down from her current position as the Marion County Community Services Director on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, and will begin her new role with Liberty House on Wednesday, September 4, 2013.

Liberty House is a child abuse assessment center serving both Marion and Polk Counties. Since 1999, Liberty House has provided child-focused, high quality assessment services to children who may have been hurt by sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect in a safe, comfortable, child-friendly environment. With compassion and expertise, medical providers conduct complete medical examinations for the children coming to Liberty House. Specially trained child interviewers also help children talk about what has happened to them in a careful and sensitive manner to ensure the objectivity of the assessment and the well being of the child. Complementing the assessment are family support services for caregivers, including information and resources for keeping children safe and healthy. All services are coordinated with local law enforcement and child welfare agencies in order to provide the highest levels of support for children and families.

Board Chair Scott Sadler said, "After interviewing many people for the CEO position over the last several months we are excited for what Alison brings to the mix of an already great organization. She possesses just what we were looking for in leadership characteristics and in a passion for the mission of Liberty House, which is to serve the kids and families in our community that are facing such difficult circumstances."

Ms. Kelley was appointed to serve as the Marion County Children and Families Commission Director in May of 2008, and was retained when the county reorganized the department into the Community Services Department in July 2012. From 1999 - 2008, she was an attorney and mediator in private practice and provided mediation, facilitation, team building and strategic planning for a wide range of public and private agencies.

"I am deeply honored to join the Liberty House team, and I am looking forward to working for a great organization that provides such critical services to the children and families of Marion and Polk Counties," said Kelley. "At the same time, it has been a privilege to serve as the Children and Families Commission Director and the Community Services Department Director for Marion County, and I will miss working with such wonderful people."