Joy Barret, CEO of the Granite State Children’s Alliance (center), cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the Hillsborough County Child Advocacy Center on April 14. She is shown with Gov. Kelly Ayotte (right) as well as Hillsborough County Commissioner Toni Pappas and U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas (left). Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

NASHUA – The Granite State Children’s Alliance celebrated the grand opening of the Hillsborough County Child Advocacy Center on April 14.

The center moved to 16 Broad St. in October 2024 after 20 years on Wellman Avenue.

“After two decades of serving thousands of children, our Nashua CAC’s move to this stand-alone location is a monumental step forward in our relentless fight for justice and healing,” said Alliance CEO Joy Barret. “Expanding from a safe, neutral space for forensic interviews to a full-service support hub allows us to give child victims not just a voice, but a future filled with hope and help to step into the future they deserve.”

Barrett also spoke about a time when a mother came into the center with her five-year-old son.

Barrett said every child that comes in makes a handprint to “leave something behind” and remind them that they are not alone. Later, the boy told his mother that he wanted to bring his handprint with him for comfort during an upcoming doctor’s appointment.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Toni Pappas said the new location was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and is the second center in the state to offer both behavioral health and specialized medical services.

“Children will no longer have to wait a week or more to tell their story,” she said. “We look forward to the positive ripple effect that this center will have.”

Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she remembered 25 years ago when there were no Child Advocacy Centers. That changed in July 2003 when then-Gov. Craig Benson issued an executive order to establish the Governor’s Commission for Child Protection. The commission later created a statewide network of 11 Child Advocacy Centers.

Ayotte said the new Broad Street facility is another step in the right direction.

“There will be another child that we can make sure is not retraumatized,” she said.

However, Ayotte declined to say that state funding for child advocacy is currently at risk after the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted on April 10 to eliminate the Office of the Child Advocate due to budget constraints.