If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Child abuse prevention task force stands ready(not about fostercare but about keeping kids out of fostercare)
Child abuse prevention task force stands ready
The new alliance has a number of programs available for families in need, as instances of abuse continue to rise throughout the county. By BETH N. GRAY Published May 28, 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BROOKSVILLE - Several dozen social service professionals, educators, ministers, and child advocates gathered earlier this week to launch the Hernando County Alliance, Child Abuse Prevention Task Force. Funded by a state grant administered through the Department of Children and Families, the task force is charged with developing prevention services for Hernando County families by providing networking, raising public awareness and offering education to prevent child abuse. Just how big is the problem locally? "It's dramatically increasing," said Donna Stucchio, a supervisor for DCF. Ten investigators in Hernando are each seeing 20 new cases per month, Stucchio said. That's an increase of about 15 percent since April 2003. "Hernando is one of the fastest growing counties," Stucchio said. "There's a large increase in domestic violence and drug abuse. "Just about every case we get involves domestic violence," she continued. One of the trends is the sharp increase in low-risk cases, said Sandra Lorean of the Child Abuse Prevention Project at the University of South Florida, which is overseeing organization of the task force. Low-risk cases include a first-time domestic violence incident, a two-parent working household where a baby sitter isn't affordable, a new mother with postpartum depression who can't keep up with house cleaning, or a preteen who suffered bruises after being spanked by an adult. With the close link between domestic violence and child abuse, more Hernando residents need to be taking parenting classes and family workshops. But there is also the need to reduce the stigma associated with attending those classes. "If you recommend a parenting class, it sounds like you're telling them they're a bad parent," said Pat Lonergan, who teaches teen parenting at Nature Coast Technical High School. Still, there is no shortage of parenting classes. The Women's Resource Center, which operates a victim shelter, provides a course named, "Shame-Free Parenting." Harbor Behavioral Center, Head Start, Hernando High School, the state Department of Health and other agencies also sponsor classes, workshops and conferences, and distribute printed materials and videos on parenting and abuse prevention. But few people attend the sessions and informational material is left untouched. Hearing the providers' lament, Annie McPherson, director of the Child Abuse Prevention Project, suggested a media campaign to increase public awareness of the problem and to get out the message that parenting education benefits everyone. But Robin Emmerman, a social worker in student services with the Hernando schools, worried about kids, as young as 3 years old, coming into the educational system, undeveloped socially and mentally for their ages. "We need a nurturing program in the home," Emmerman said. "If they're not in DCF or under court order, there's nothing for them." And parents need to be nurtured as well, preferably in a home setting, added Dee Smith of Spring Hill, who described herself as a volunteer and child advocate. Smith suggested an organization of foster grandparents who would mentor young parents and provide a few hours of respite from child care. Several churches hold weekly Parents' Night Out, when families can take their children to group gatherings at church halls for some rare hours of relief. A similar program is Mommy's Day Out, which church volunteers provide. But in-home services are vital, as many young mothers don't have transportation, the group agreed. "It's a shame when you have a service and no one comes or you have needs and you can't fill them" McPherson said. The task force tentatively set its next meeting for noon June 17 at the Exceptional Student Education Building, 900 Emerson Road. More information is available from Sandra Lorean at CAPP, 352-334-1330. http://www.sptimes.com/2004/05/28/He...reventio.shtml Defend your civil liberties! Get information at http://www.aclu.org, become a member at http://www.aclu.org/join and get active at http://www.aclu.org/action. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Child abuse prevention task force stands ready(not about fostercare but about keeping kids out of fostercare
It's called Head Start and has been around since the Sixties.
Also, many legislatures and Guv's have opted for state-funded Preschools. FL was one. Poor districts in NJ have FREE PRESCHOOLS. "We need a nurturing program in the home," Emmerman said. "If they're not in DCF or under court order, there's nothing for them." This gal doesn't know what she's talking about. A similar program is Mommy's Day Out, which church volunteers provide. Many churches and civic groups have such programs. Moms chat while kids play in playroom with a supervisor. Wex sent in: this sounds like California--I would be interested to know in which state this story is from Subject: Child abuse prevention task force stands ready(not about fostercare but about keeping kids out of fostercare From: wexwimpy Date: 5/29/2004 5:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time Message-id: Child abuse prevention task force stands ready The new alliance has a number of programs available for families in need, as instances of abuse continue to rise throughout the county. By BETH N. GRAY Published May 28, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- BROOKSVILLE - Several dozen social service professionals, educators, ministers, and child advocates gathered earlier this week to launch the Hernando County Alliance, Child Abuse Prevention Task Force. Funded by a state grant administered through the Department of Children and Families, the task force is charged with developing prevention services for Hernando County families by providing networking, raising public awareness and offering education to prevent child abuse. Just how big is the problem locally? "It's dramatically increasing," said Donna Stucchio, a supervisor for DCF. Ten investigators in Hernando are each seeing 20 new cases per month, Stucchio said. That's an increase of about 15 percent since April 2003. "Hernando is one of the fastest growing counties," Stucchio said. "There's a large increase in domestic violence and drug abuse. "Just about every case we get involves domestic violence," she continued. One of the trends is the sharp increase in low-risk cases, said Sandra Lorean of the Child Abuse Prevention Project at the University of South Florida, which is overseeing organization of the task force. Low-risk cases include a first-time domestic violence incident, a two-parent working household where a baby sitter isn't affordable, a new mother with postpartum depression who can't keep up with house cleaning, or a preteen who suffered bruises after being spanked by an adult. With the close link between domestic violence and child abuse, more Hernando residents need to be taking parenting classes and family workshops. But there is also the need to reduce the stigma associated with attending those classes. "If you recommend a parenting class, it sounds like you're telling them they're a bad parent," said Pat Lonergan, who teaches teen parenting at Nature Coast Technical High School. Still, there is no shortage of parenting classes. The Women's Resource Center, which operates a victim shelter, provides a course named, "Shame-Free Parenting." Harbor Behavioral Center, Head Start, Hernando High School, the state Department of Health and other agencies also sponsor classes, workshops and conferences, and distribute printed materials and videos on parenting and abuse prevention. But few people attend the sessions and informational material is left untouched. Hearing the providers' lament, Annie McPherson, director of the Child Abuse Prevention Project, suggested a media campaign to increase public awareness of the problem and to get out the message that parenting education benefits everyone. But Robin Emmerman, a social worker in student services with the Hernando schools, worried about kids, as young as 3 years old, coming into the educational system, undeveloped socially and mentally for their ages. "We need a nurturing program in the home," Emmerman said. "If they're not in DCF or under court order, there's nothing for them." And parents need to be nurtured as well, preferably in a home setting, added Dee Smith of Spring Hill, who described herself as a volunteer and child advocate. Smith suggested an organization of foster grandparents who would mentor young parents and provide a few hours of respite from child care. Several churches hold weekly Parents' Night Out, when families can take their children to group gatherings at church halls for some rare hours of relief. A similar program is Mommy's Day Out, which church volunteers provide. But in-home services are vital, as many young mothers don't have transportation, the group agreed. "It's a shame when you have a service and no one comes or you have needs and you can't fill them" McPherson said. The task force tentatively set its next meeting for noon June 17 at the Exceptional Student Education Building, 900 Emerson Road. More information is available from Sandra Lorean at CAPP, 352-334-1330. http://www.sptimes.com/2004/05/28/He...reventio.shtml Defend your civil liberties! Get information at http://www.aclu.org, become a member at http://www.aclu.org/join and get active at http://www.aclu.org/action. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Babies gasping: Michigan sheriffs to do "child abuse raid" on hospitals? | Todd Gastaldo | Pregnancy | 0 | June 18th 04 06:09 PM |
Kids should work. | ChrisScaife | Spanking | 16 | December 7th 03 04:27 AM |
Dennis was U.N. rules Canada should ban spanking | Kane | Spanking | 63 | November 17th 03 10:12 PM |