Who Are We?

Our Mission

The CCFA's mission is to empathetically nurture healthy relationships through education and prevention while providing individualized comprehensive treatment and advocacy to empower those we serve. The philosophy of The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Inc. is to treat all clients with respect, help them to achieve self-determination, and to create an environment that fosters independence and is strength-based.

The CCFA's vision is to serve the community focusing on the well-being of individuals including those affected by trauma through the collaboration of passionate, empathetic and ethical staff.

Our History

Founded in 1984 as a grassroots organization, The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Inc. (CCFA) is an out-patient mental health agency that services Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Williams, and Paulding Counties.  It exhibits a commitment to preserving, empowering, and strengthening families in crisis. ​

The CCFA is funded by all four county United Way offices, Office of the Attorneys General, office of Criminal Justice Services and the Four County ADAMhs Board and National Children's Alliance.

Our Values

Self-Care
Empathy
Ethical Decision-Making
Quality Relationships
Commitment to Excellence
Community Engagement

Our Priorities

Commitment to Excellence
Accommodate Community Needs
Educate and Promote
Expand Technology Use
Funding/Sustaining Revenue
Retain and Recruit Staff
Uphold the CCFA Mission

Meet Our Staff

CCFA Clinical Staff

To speak with a CCFA staff member, please call:  (419) 592-0540

Roberta Mack

Executive Director

Roberta joined the field of social work in the year 1996 as a member of a local agency that assisted individuals who were experiencing a mental health crisis.  Roberta gained experience as a monitor of group homes in the Lima area.  Roberta also has experience of working in the prison system with individuals who suffer from severe mental illness serving life sentences.  She developed a great interest of working with families who utilize area mental health agencies, job and family services, or the court system.  Roberta served as a case manager, mental health therapist at a local juvenile detention and rehabilitation center, and home-based therapist with a local mental health agency.  In 2007 Roberta attended The University of Toledo and obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work.  In the years leading to her becoming the Clinical Services Director at CCFA, she worked as an independent social worker serving individuals and families.  In 2015, Roberta was hired as the Clinical Services Director to provide supervision to the clinical staff.  Roberta conducts education presentations to area school students regarding safe dating, diversion programming for juveniles exhibiting sexual behavior problems, and also co-facilitates Adult Sex Offender Treatment.  Roberta enjoys working in the community of where she and her husband, Dave, chose to raise their family.  Roberta and Dave have three children, Noah, Anna and Joshua.   

Tara Buehrer

MSW, LISW-S Clinical Services Director

Tara is the agency Clinical Services Director. Tara graduated from Northwest State Community College in 2012 with her Associates Degree and then received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Defiance College in 2015. Tara graduated in 2019 with her Masters of Social Work from Indiana Wesleyan University. Tara interned with the agency while in college and then started as a contract worker conducting children’s groups and coordinating the supervised visitation program. Tara became a full-time victim advocate in 2013, where her passion for trauma informed care began. Tara went on to serve the role of Director of the House of Ruth; the domestic violence shelter, from 2015 to 2017. Tara then transitioned into a clinical role until becoming the Clinical Services Director in May of 2022. She has attended trainings related to Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, play therapy and is EMDR Certified. Tara has been employed with the Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Inc. since 2012.

Tammy Rau

House of Ruth Director

Dena Shafer

MSW, LISW-S Clinical Outreach Supervisor

Dena is the agency Clinical Outreach Supervisor. Dena graduated from Northwest State Community College in 2005 with her Associates Degree and then received her Bachelor of Social work in 2007 from Defiance College. Dena then went on to receive her Masters of Social Work from The University of Toledo in 2009. She has attended trainings related to Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, and Parent Child Interaction Therapy. Dena has extensive experience working with individuals who are experiencing trauma and crisis. Dena completed one of her field placements with The Center for Child and Family Advocacy allowing her to gain the experience of working with both the victim population and the offender population. Dena has been employed with The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Inc. since 2015.