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"Children who are abused or neglected are damaged physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. For the most part, neglect is unintentional and abuse is intentional. However, both constitute unacceptable treatment of children. Even if children escape serious injury, they are at higher risk for many problems later in life, including adolescent pregnancy, substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and academic failure. Young children who are abused are more likely than other children to be socially withdrawn or physically aggressive."(Kids Count in Missouri Data Book 2005)
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If you would like more information, or to schedule a FREE presentation for your group (neighborhood party, church, civic, or other organization of Cass County, Missouri), please click the following link to learn more!
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Community News...
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| Progress!
Archie School District Supports Initiative
The Archie School District has agreed to serve as a pilot location for the implementation of CHART’s first child abuse and neglect intervention. Members of a CHART sub-committee looking at the issue of abuse and neglect prevention voted to offer the Archie District the opportunity to serve as a pilot program. On 16 January, 2009, Teresa Hensley, Prosecuting Attorney and Mary Gutierrez, CHART President, visited with members of the administration and staff to solicit their support of CHART’s child abuse prevention efforts. The visit included a presentation by Teresa and Mary about the need for prevention efforts in Cass County and suggestions for how to proceed. Two days later, Sean Smith, school superintendent, contacted Mary to confirm his district’s desire to participate. Mary visited with the same staff members on 25 March at which time the group decided to schedule Mandated Reporter Training for school staff members on 13 August 2009 before the start of school. The CHART board approved the expenditure of funds to pay for 25 staff members to be trained. Fees for the training of additional staff members will be paid by the district. The program will be presented through the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) of Independence. The staff also discussed the possibility of a community awareness fair to acquaint the Archie community with the importance of this effort and the school district’s collaboration with CHART. Andrea Franz, school counselor, offered the students she works with in SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) to help implement future programs that the school district might adopt to create awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention. Schools provide an excellent avenue by which to reach the parents and guardians who are the protectors of children. CHART and, in particular, its child abuse and neglect sub-committee are very grateful to the Archie School District for making this commitment.
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| Stay up to date... Keep informed by visiting the Cass County CAN Blog. Local and state wide information, announcements, and events will be posted. All topics are related to items concerning the welfare of our children.
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| Protecting Kids and Teens in the Real World...
Children are the most victimized segment of our society. Surprisingly, children are more likely to be harmed by people that they and their family know! While there is no guaranteed way to insure a child's safety, parents and guardians must do what they can to decrease the risk! Parents and guardians hold the KEY to children's safety!
Learn more about the key statistics and simple ways to keep your children 'sheltered' from harms way while at the same time giving them the oportunity to have a less troublesome future.
The program titled, "Protecting Kids and Teens in the Real World", was developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and is designed to acquaint audience members with the threats faced by children in becoming the victims of sexual crimes and abduction. Prevention strategies and parenting tips are stressed.
If you would like more information, or schedule a FREE presentation for your group (neighborhood party, church, civic, or other organization of Cass County, Missouri), please click the following link to learn more! CLICK HERE!
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| Results are in!Hello, my name is Mary Gutierrez. I am the nursing supervisor of the Cass County Health Department and the current president of the local Community Health Assessment Resource Team (CHART). In April of 2008 Cass County residents and those that work within the county completed a CHART-sponsored survey regarding the issue of child abuse and neglect prevention in Cass County. On that survey many expressed an interest in supporting efforts in the county to address the issue of child abuse and neglect.
I am pleased to report that the surveys have been collected and the results tabulated and I am now in the process of contacting all of those who expressed an interest in volunteering. A total of 76 respondents provided contact information. We now begin the hard work of laying a solid foundation from which all efforts will spring. The more solid the foundation, the better chance of our efforts succeeding!
Thank you so much for expressing your concern for the welfare of children in our county. |
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