Michigan Department of Attorney General staff appointed to leadership roles in National Association of Confidential Address Programs

The National Association of Confidential Address Programs (NACAP) has recently appointed two members of the Michigan Department of Attorney General to leadership positions within the organization. Karen Hall, Program Manager of the Michigan Address Confidentiality Program, has been elected to a two-year term on the NACAP Board of Directors. Kimberly Watts, a victim advocate for the Michigan Address Confidentiality Program, will serve on NACAP’s Best Practices Committee.  

“Confidential address programs are a lifeline for victims of violence looking to live their lives without fear of being found by an abuser,” said Michigan Department of Attorney General Dana Nessel. “Both Karen and Kimberly have done tremendous work in helping Michiganders at risk keep their addresses confidential, and I know they will continue to make an impact nationwide in valuable leadership roles at NACAP.”

NACAP is a membership organization dedicated to collaboration, education, advocacy, and the strengthening of state and territorial confidential address programs, which provide certain protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or those who fear that disclosure of their physical address will increase their risk of harm. Confidential address programs operate to shield a victim’s actual physical address by providing an official designated/substitute address, free mail forwarding service, and a guidebook that outlines how to vote, how to change their address, information on schools and bussing, what to do when contacting the police or emergency services, and much more.

Hall began her career at the Department of Attorney General in 2019 as a victim advocate before being promoted to lead the Michigan Address Confidentiality Program in 2021. As an at-large member of the NACAP Board of Directors, Hall will contribute her expertise and insights to support the Association’s mission while representing the broader membership. In addition to her new role, Hall serves on the NACAP Conference Committee, further advancing initiatives that benefit confidential address programs nationwide.  

“I am deeply honored to serve on the Board of Directors for NACAP,” Hall said. “I look forward to working alongside this organization to advance our shared mission of supporting individuals and families in their journey toward security and empowerment.”

Watts started working at the Department in 2023. Watts serves on the Best Practices Committee, focusing on key questions and considerations confidential address programs should consider when evaluating application processes and enrollment strategies.

“The ACP is a great program,” Watts said. “It brings me great joy to work with our ACP program participants to bring them a sense of security.”

Nessel recently held a roundtable discussion at the YWCA Kalamazoo to highlight the Department’s Address Confidentiality Program. There are currently 280 participants in the program, including 144 children and 136 households. Those interested in being certified application assistants or learning more about the Address Confidentiality Program can visit the Department of Attorney General’s website at www.michigan.gov/ag/initiatives/address-confidentiality-program.

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