BEAVER COUNTY CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CENTER
The purpose of the CJC is to coordinate and track investigation, related medical service, prosecution, treatment, and training in order to protect the best interests of the child and the community, and to support the professionals who investigate and prosecute cases.
The mission of the Beaver County Children’s Justice Center is to provide a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, nonprofit, intergovernmental response to: Sexual abuse of children, physical abuse of children and other crimes involving children where the child is a primary victim or a critical witness, such as drug-related child endangerment cases, in a safe, neutral, child-focused setting. Its purpose is to coordinate and track investigation, related medical service, prosecution, treatment, and training in order to protect the best interests of the child and the community, and to support the professionals who investigate and prosecute cases.
Each child has an inherent right to be treated with dignity. Child abuse is a community problem: no single agency, individual or discipline has the necessary knowledge, skills or resources to provide all the assistance needed by abused children and their families.
The combining of the experience and professional knowledge of child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution and court personnel, and medical and mental health professionals can result in a more thorough understanding of case issues and can provide the best possible system response.
Open communication and case coordination among community professionals and agencies are critical for protecting the child and promoting justice.
The protection and interests of each child will be foremost in all recommendations related to investigation, referrals, treatment, prosecution and emotional support.
OUR TEAM
Stephanie Ward, Director
Stephanie has been the Iron County Children’s Justice Center Director since 2002, later implementing Beaver and Kane County CJC’s as satellites in 2015. In 2015 she added an onsite medical program to Beaver, Beaver and Kane County CJC’s. Prior to the Children’s Justice Center, she was the Director of the Beaver County Care & Share. Stephanie currently is a member of the State Advisory Board for Children’s Justice Centers, the Intergenerational Poverty committee in Beaver and Beaver Utah, Beaver County Prevention Coalition in Cedar City and Leaders for Life Facilitator. A graduate of Arizona State University majoring in Justice Studies and a minor in Business Administration. Stephanie is often asked how she manages her work at the Children’s Justice Center and her response is always “how can I not”. Stephanie cannot imagine knowing that child abuse is happening and not being able to be a resource or a listening ear for our most vulnerable population, our children. Stephanie was awarded the Ann Freimuth Child Advocate of the Year in 2019 from Prevent Child Abuse Utah.
She has 7 children and 9 grandchildren that are her pride and joy. She believes that every child has an inherent right to be treated with respect, dignity and kindness. That child abuse is a community issue and that no single agency, individual or discipline has the necessary knowledge, skills or resources to provide all the assistance needed to abused children and their families. That only through collaboration amongst the community cans we begin to address the pain and chaos that comes from child abuse and begin the healing process for our families.
Teresa Wood, Victim Advocate
Teresa was born and raised in St. George, Utah. She is happily married to her best friend Kelly and together they have 4 children. She finds joy in small and simple things like baking cookies to share with friends, and going exploring. Teresa graduated from Dixie State College, and is a Nationally Credentialed Victim Advocate. She has lived in Beaver County for over 14 years and absolutely loves working with the people in this community. As the Victim Services Coordinator here at the Beaver County Children’s Justice Center, Teresa has been specially trained to assist child victims of crime and abuse. She feels so fortunate to work with a team of highly trained professionals to ensure that children are safe and have a voice. An important aspect of her work is to help children and families access the support they need during times of trauma. She loves helping families find safety, resilience, healing and hope.
Jody Miller, FNP-C, APRN
Jody was born and raised in Cedar City, UT, attended Cedar High School and completed her undergraduate studies at Southern Utah University where she was a member of the SUU gymnastics team from 1995 to 1998. She received her associate degree in nursing from Weber State University in 2000 and began her nursing career at Valley View Medical Center which is now known as Cedar City Hospital.
Over her 20-year career with Cedar City Hospital she has worked in a variety of settings including the Medical Surgical Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Same Day Surgery, Recovery Room, Endoscopy, IV Therapy and the Imaging Department. Jody was graciously awarded the 2006, 2016, and 2018 Nurse Excellence Award, and was named the 2007 Employee of the Year as well as recognized with the Southern Utah Nursing Award for Outstanding Small Hospitalist Nursing Practice in 2011. Jody has achieved several certifications including Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Life Support, PICC (IV) certification, and pediatric sedation provider certification.
Jody also helped to create the first Imaging Nurse position at Cedar City Hospital and implemented the use of Nitrous Oxide for both pediatric and adult patients to aid in reducing procedural anxiety for patients. Jody obtained both her Bachelor of Nursing degree and Master of Nursing degree in Advanced Practice Nursing and Post Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate from Graceland University in Iowa. She was certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner’s in 2018 and is currently pursuing her Doctorate degree in Advance Practice Nursing with anticipation to graduate in 2021.
Prior to joining the Beaver County CJC Jody worked at a private pediatric practice providing primary care to pediatric patients. Jody is also concurrently working with Four Points Health Community Center providing primary care to patients in the Southern Utah area.
She currently lives in Cedar City with her husband and is a mother to four boys and a very proud grandma to an adorable little girl. Jody also enjoys spending time with her family and their five dogs.