June 17, 2014
The task force was established in accordance with "Erin's Law,” which protects against the sexual abuse of children. The 15-member task force has one year to provide recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse. These recommendations will help in the creation of goals and guidelines for state and school policies.
“Protecting our children is one of the most important things we can do as a state,” Snyder said. “I thank this group of appointees and I am confident they will do good work on behalf of Michigan’s children.”
Mark Boody, of Waterford, is a sergeant with the Novi Police Department. He has experience in the investigation of child abuse and child sexual abuse and participated in the 2009 revision of Oakland County’s child abuse protocol. Boody serves on the advisory council for Care House, Child Advocacy Center for Oakland County, the Youth Forum Committee for the city of Novi, and the Implementation Committee for the Novi Police Department. Boody earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University. He will represent individuals who have experience and expertise in the fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse.
Denise Busley, of Traverse City, is the co-founder and owner of Grand Traverse Pie Co. She previously worked in medical sales. Busley is the board president of Zero Tolerance: ENDING Child Sexual Abuse, and works with the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center. Busley earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Michigan State University. She will represent individuals who have experience and expertise in the fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse.
Johanna Buzolits, of Plymouth, is the project director for the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Treatment Board and a psychologist in private practice. She coordinates statewide sexual response initiatives, including training development for the Sexual Assault Response Team. She previously served as the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center at the University of Michigan. Buzolits earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in health education from Columbia University Teachers College and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Georgia State University. She will represent licensed therapists trained to counsel or treat child sexual abuse victims.
Deborah Carley, of Troy, is the division chief for children and youth services for the Department of the Attorney General, with experience in child abuse and neglect, physical child abuse and sexual assaults. She previously worked in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and was an assistant prosecutor in the juvenile justice division, district court division, circuit court division, and the child sexual assault unit. Carley earned a bachelor’s degree in English and speech communication from Albion College and a degree from Detroit College of Law. She will represent individuals who have experience and expertise in the fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse.
Kristen Clark, of Ann Arbor, is the executive director of human resources for the Washtenaw Intermediate School District where she coordinates school response to child sexual abuse and investigation, and works with community partners. She previously served as executive director of labor relations and personnel for Howell Public Schools. Clark earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal science from Eastern Michigan University and a degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She will represent individuals who have experience and expertise in the fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse.
Thomas Cottrell, of Ada, is the vice president of counseling services for the YWCA of West Central Michigan, where he has served for 10 years. He is also an adjunct professor at the Western Michigan University School of Social Work. He is a local and state trainer on child sexual abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. Cottrell earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in social work from the University of Michigan. He will represent individuals who have experience and expertise in the fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse.
Jerry Dorsey, of Farmington Hills, is the chief of trials and litigation for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office where he works in the child abuse unit and is deputy chief of the special victims unit. He has over 20 years of experience with the prosecutor’s office. Dorsey is chair of the Wayne County Council Against Family Violence and a member of the board of directors of the Guidance Center. Dorsey earned a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology and a law degree from Wayne State University. He will represent individuals who have experience and expertise in the fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse.
Pamela Fitzgerald, of Jackson, is a member of the Jackson Public Schools Board. She is a retired principal and teacher from Jackson High School and has experience working with Children’s Protective Services in the Department of Human Services, and foster and adoptive parent associations. She serves on the Michigan Supreme Court Foster Care Review Board for Jackson, Hillsdale and Lenawee counties. Fitzgerald earned a bachelor’s degree in English language arts and psychology and a master’s degree in education administration from Spring Arbor University. She will represent school district board members, intermediate school district board members, or public academy board members.
Kathy Hagenian, of Novi, is the executive policy director for the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. She has worked in the field of intervention and prevention for over 25 years and has experience in policy, protocol and curriculum development. She previously worked for The Domestic Violence Project Inc. and SAFE House. Hagenian earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan. She will represent the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Angie Kennedy, of Okemos, is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Michigan State University. She conducted research regarding child sexual abuse including prevalence, risk factors and associated outcomes. Kennedy earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Grinnell College, master’s of social work from University of Iowa and Ph.D. in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She will represent individuals who have experience and expertise in the fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse.
Tom Knapp, of Wyoming, is the chapter coordinator of the Michigan chapter of the National Children’s Alliance where he oversees and works with all of the children’s advocacy centers in Michigan. He is also a part-time faculty member at Grand Valley State University and the executive director of the Society of Michigan EMS Instructors and Coordinators, and has experience as a law enforcement investigator of child sexual abuse cases. Knapp earned an associate of applied arts and sciences in criminal justice from West Shore Community College and a professional certificate from Davenport College. He will represent the Michigan chapter of the National Children’s Alliance.
Mary Lovik, of Okemos, is the staff attorney for the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board. She previously served as an adjunct professor for the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University and as publications administrator and research attorney for the Michigan Judicial Institute. Lovik earned a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College, a master’s degree from Harvard University and a degree from Hastings College of Law. She will represent the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board.
Cheryl Matthews, of Sylvan Lake, is a family court judge with the Oakland County Circuit Court. Previously, she was an Oakland County prosecutor, serving as chief of the child sexual assault unit, and worked in private practice. Matthews earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and a degree from Fordham University School of Law. She will represent circuit court judges.
Phyllis Van Order, of Battle Creek, is the coordinator of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program for sexual assault services of Calhoun County and Bronson Battle Creek, and the YWCA of Kalamazoo. She has professional experience in the care of sexual assault patients and is a founding member and past president of the Michigan chapter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses. Van Order earned a degree in nursing from Kellogg Community College. She will represent individuals who have experience and expertise in the fields of intervention and prevention of child abuse.
Dorie Vazquez-Nolan, of Macomb Township, is the executive director of the Macomb County Child Advocacy Center and Care House where she is responsible for providing services to child victims of abuse and their families. She serves as the chair-elect of the Michigan chapter of the National Children’s Alliance. She will represent an administrator or staff member of a child assessment center.
Members serve one-year terms expiring June 17, 2015. The appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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