Cocoa Police Department Names Joanna Hutcheson as New Victim Advocate Coordinator

By  //  December 12, 2017

served as child protective investigator for 11 years

After serving the State of Florida for more than 11 years as a child protective investigator with the Department of Children and Families, Joanna Hutcheson is now serving the citizens of Cocoa as the Victim Advocate Coordinator.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – After serving the State of Florida for more than 11 years as a child protective investigator with the Department of Children and Families, Joanna Hutcheson is now serving the citizens of Cocoa as the Victim Advocate Coordinator.

Hutcheson began her service last week. She is responsible for assisting crime victims with protection, crisis intervention and counseling, court information, victim compensation, resource referrals, and all things relating to the judicial process as it relates to the victim.

The position is federally funded through a grant from the Department of Justice’s Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).

Hutcheson is originally from Benton Harbor Michigan and moved to Florida in 1980. In 2006, she graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies.

VIDEO: Cocoa Police ‘Shop with a Cop’ Brings an Early Christmas to 32 ChildrenRelated Story:
VIDEO: Cocoa Police ‘Shop with a Cop’ Brings an Early Christmas to 32 Children

While her original plan was to become an attorney, personal life experiences led her to discover her passion to help children. She helped raise her brother’s children through a history of domestic violence and drug abuse until he passed away from an overdose in 2012.

Along with caring for her late brother’s children, she is a single mother of three children of her own including a son who is now in the army, and two daughters. Hutcheson also cares for her disabled mother.

“I am looking forward to this opportunity to help people in crisis,” Hutcheson said.

“Cocoa is a great community which puts a high priority on making sure family needs are being met and victims are cared for and safe. I hope to expand on that and am grateful for the chance to make a positive difference.”

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY CRIME NEWS