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A
community approach to the prevention of child abuse and neglect
Introduction
The Child Protection Council is an organization of many professionals and
their sponsoring agencies who volunteer their time and skills to provide
needed programs for the Fall River Area. The Council's activities provide
opportunities for community services to come together and jointly assess
community resources, discuss community needs, and plan programs. The
commitment and concerns of the community professionals for the welfare of
children and families are the foundation of the council.
The Council has representatives from approximately 25 organizations and
meets the first Wednesday of each month in Room 128, Clemence
Hall, St. Anne's Hospital, 243 Forest Street, Fall
River. (Call a member agency for further
information.)
The continuous goal of the Council has been to increase community awareness
of and involvement in the problems of child abuse and neglect. This has
been done through annual educational events for children and their
families, through special programs for youth, and through public information
fairs.
History
The Council was born out of a need to seek out solutions to the
ever-increasing problem of child abuse and neglect, which first became
evident in the mid 1970's. In 1976, the Social Services Department of St.
Anne's Hospital sent letters to local children's service agencies calling
for a joint effort to discuss issues and problems related to the network of
children's protective care. The response was excellent, and a task force
was organized. Their report described the status of abuse and neglect in
the Greater Fall River area, the community level of management, and ideas
for plans to begin to address identified issues.
The early task force recommended that all agencies who shared the
responsibilities for child protection begin to actively work together, and
the Greater Fall River Child Protection Council was soon formed. By 1980,
the professional community had become more aware of concerns related to
child abuse and neglect and was beginning to respond by filling gaps in
needed services for abusive and high risk families. Through the work of the
Council, the community was also increasing its awareness of the problem.
Early committees were developed to give support to parents having
difficulty coping with the demand of raising families and becoming good
parents. A Parent Aide Program made up of volunteers was formed to help
parents at high risk of child abuse and neglect. Later, a thirty episode
parenting series was aired continuously on cable television. Parenting
education and support groups, such as STEP, have also been offered by
member agencies.
An Education Committee was formed to develop an annual program on various
abuse and neglect issues. Over the past ten years, topics have included
programs for professionals on the sexually abused child and domestic
violence. Programs have also included issues related to abuse and neglect
such as addiction, HIV/AIDS, and depression. Several special programs have
been developed from time to time for older teens on such topics as
relationships and choices and teen pregnancy prevention for presentation at
local high schools and to younger teens through the Teen Topics series.
Child Protection Council members have also offered their time for public
speaking and have appeared on radio talk shows, before parent and teacher
groups, and as guests of local civic organizations. Pressing community
issues permit the Council to take an active role in initiating public
action, advocacy, lobbying and developing new programs on behalf of
children.
The Council is always open for the addition of new members and continues to
recruit new agencies and organizations who have an
interest in addressing child abuse and neglect problems. The Council, a
non-profit organization, also solicits tax exempt, 501(c)3,
contributions from a variety of charitable organizations who also share
these concerns.
Member Agencies
Child
Care Works
Citizens for Citizens, Inc. (After School Day Care, Family Day Care, Family
Planning, Head Start, TOPPS)
City of Fall River
ComCare
Community Development Recreation
Department of Social Services
Diabetes Association of Greater Fall River
People, Inc. (Early Intervention)
Fall River Police Dept. (Sexual Abuse Unit)
Healthfirst Family Care Center, Inc. (Medical
Services, WIC)
M.S.P.C.C. (Project Good Start)
New Bedford Child and Family Services (Young Parents Initiative, Mental
Health Services)
South Bay Mental Health
SSTAR, Inc
St. Anne's Hospital (Pediatrics, Sexual Abuse, Social Services)
W.O.R.D., Inc.
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