New director for agency serving vulnerable kids

Fran McDougall is now the head of ACT2 Child and Family Services in Coquitlam

A Tri-Cities agency serving children recovering from the effects of sexual abuse, neglect and other trauma has a new executive director. Photograph By Thinkstock.ca

A Tri-Cities agency serving children recovering from the effects of sexual abuse, neglect and other trauma has a new executive director.

Fran McDougall is now the head of ACT2 Child and Family Services in Coquitlam, replacing Brad Watson, who retired after seven years at the helm of the social service agency.

“I am honoured to join such an essential service supporting victims of abuse and neglect. I strongly believe that if caring support, guidance and safety is provided, children and their families will have hope for a better life,” McDougall said in a press release.

McDougall’s former work included posts at Abbotsford Community Services, Fraser Valley Child Development Centre, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada and Seton Villa Retirement Centre for low-income seniors.

ACT 2 Child and Family Services was created by Vi Roden, who, in the late 1970s, realized many incarcerated women had experienced sexual abuse in their lifetime. At the time, public awareness of sexual abuse was limited and the services supporting children and families dealing with it was virtually nonexistent.

Programs and services have since expanded to include parent education, family counselling, sexual abuse counselling, specialized therapeutic intervention, and second-stage shelter for survivors of domestic violence.

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