Three Decades of Leadership and Advocacy in Child Protection
The Center for Child Protection is proud to celebrate Amanda Van Hoozer, our Chief Program Officer, who has been awarded the Family Investigations & Alternative Response Challenge Coin by Texas Child Protective Investigations (CPI) at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). This honor recognizes Amanda’s 30-year career dedicated to protecting children and supporting families.
Amanda began her career as an Investigation Caseworker at DFPS after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin in 1989. She joined the Center in 1996, bringing expertise and passion that have been instrumental to our programs for nearly three decades.
Amanda’s contributions extend far beyond the Center. Since 1991, she has served on the Travis County Child Protection Team, a collaborative effort uniting law enforcement, medical professionals, prosecutors, and child-serving organizations to address child abuse and neglect. Her leadership ensures investigations, prosecutions, and victim care are coordinated effectively.
As Chief Program Officer, Amanda oversees program services, community education, and outreach, with a focus on advancing the Center’s mission to protect children and prevent abuse.
Her responsibilities include:
- Oversight of direct services provided to children and families.
- Development and implementation of programs designed to support children and families navigating the justice system.
- Leading community education and outreach efforts to promote child abuse prevention and awareness.
- Fostering strong relationships with Child Protection Team members to ensure effective collaboration and comprehensive care.
Lisa Guyton, Regional Director at DFPS, nominated Amanda for this award after working alongside her for more than two decades and described her dedication to child protection as “unwavering”.
“Amanda ensures our staff have what they need and celebrates our successes and her warm smile, big hugs, and listening ear make her invaluable,” she said.
“I can’t say enough good things about her.”
The Challenge Coin, presented during DFPS’ inaugural ‘Challenge Coin Ceremony’ on December 19, 2024, at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, TX, honors Amanda’s leadership, compassion, and enduring commitment to protecting children.
Congratulations, Amanda! Your legacy continues to inspire us all.
